Mornings, a ritual

Begin again. 

Begin early. 

As early as the glory of the sun.

She whispered Dinacharya to me, or so I heard through the grapevine. An aceint Ayurevedic practice of awakening. Intrigued, I set forth a morning ritual of my own. Always expanding, continously evolving, based on a thousand articles of indulgent research, here is how I am steadfast on finally becoming a morning person and elevating my days like the best to ever do it.

There was a day, not too far in the distant past, where by sheer accident I had a yearning to see the sunrise from bed. It was high, and warm. Like the fleeting heat of an oven left ajar after baking a good pie. It struck me then, as it always should have…who wouldn’t want to wake up with warm pie?

1. Arise before 6 a.m. for energy of the Gods.

A six heures, ce matin. Rise early. With the sun, head in the clouds, at the cusp of singing birds who break the apocolyptic silence just beyond the bedroom window. Too early for most sane souls to be awake, just late enough for the heavy drinkers and club hoppers to be vying for sleep. Outside, when the air still feels damp and the light is faint, that is when I rise. Like a cat after mice I chased the notion of doctor remcommended 8-9 hours. But who are these doctors? I never met them. And I assure you, grouchy, sluggish, heaviness and depressive oversleeping did nothing for my twenties. Blame it on phones or Mark Zuckerberg and his Facebooking, but it shouldn’t take a device-free camping trip to induce naturally falling asleep with the moon and waking with the sun. A new dawn is upon me, and I choose to refresh my ideal of sleep, just as the surfer catching his wave, I ride high with the sun into my day. Three decades it took me to volunteer such an effort. School alarms and work day shifts always beseeched resenment within my gut. Now, after trial and error, and the hand holding of my favorite mobile app Yoga Wakeup, even Maya Angelou can’t beat my rise game.

Love note: setting an intention to wake up early, in spite of a glaring alarm, is the more natural and elevated way to rise early. If our ancestors did it, well as they say…so easy a caveman can do it! Jokes aside, simply going to sleep at a reasonable hour and nurturing this habit will put your body in a new natural flow to rise with the sun.

2. A morning prayer for agnostic atheists.

And as we speak upon the nonreligious, let us take a moment to kneel before our altar. Oh, holy hour. Bestow upon me blessings oh altar, befitted with vanilla sandalwood candles, Nanna’s generational family jewels, crystals, and tarot cards for good measure. I’ll pause for a breath to honor my spirit guides and the anecostors I never knew by offering up burning incense. As a big fan of magic fingers and twirling on them haters, nary a chance goes by without drawing ambiguous figures in the air with the fragrant incense stick, dancing and chanting to myself in the morning sun.

Love Note: This would be a mighty fine time for words of gratitude or encouraging mantras.

3. Meditate with the gratitude of a thousand wins

I’m no guru, but I’ve learned that starting with gratitude can shift the vibe for the whole day. And, unlike a cup of coffee, it’s better for you—no jitters, just a solid, soul-satisfying feeling that has you floating by the time your feet hit the floor. A quick sit down, a few deep breaths, and before you know it, your brain waves are in sync with everything you’ve already accomplished (no matter how small). From the moments you crushed that presentation last week to the coffee shop encounter that turned into a deep, empowering chat with a stranger—you’re winning already, trust me. I tend to give a mental high five to the universe and just breathe it all in. The wins aren’t all major victories. Sometimes, the biggest wins are simply being awake, or discovering a new playlist that brings joy. Celebrate those little gems, and your world will feel that much brighter.

A gratitude meditation helps ground me. I ask myself: what am I thankful for right now? And it’s always something. Could be the fact I woke up early enough to catch the sunrise (thanks, body, for finally cooperating), or that cozy spot I’ve carved out on my couch where I can sit with a hot drink and enjoy the moment. Acknowledging these bits of gold in the mundane is like watering the garden of your life. You’re planting seeds for future moments that will grow into something beautiful. By setting this tone early on, I become an instant magnet for more good vibes. It’s like my own little gratitude incubator that I’m nurturing, and that’s magic, right?

4. Salute the sun

Ah, the sun. That glorious celestial orb that makes it all possible. But no, I’m not talking about sunbathing like a lizard on vacation—I’m talking about the literal “sun salutation.” It’s the stretching, the moving, the magic that comes when the body embraces the day. You know, that slightly awkward, yet deeply satisfying “I can’t wait for the world to see me as a radiant, goddess-like being” moment? Yeah, that. Whether it’s a few rounds of yoga or simply standing in the kitchen, reaching to touch the sky, I swear it’s an instantaneous alignment of body, mind, and energy. The sun doesn’t wait for anyone, so why should you? The act of honoring its rise—just as it honors you with its warmth—feels deeply symbiotic.

Movement, alas, is the golden rule. Having to decide upon a neighborhood walk, earthing, sun salutations, or full blown strength training session is nepotism of the worse kind.

Even if I’m not in full-on flow mode, moving my body sets a tone of “I’m here, I’m ready, let’s do this.” There’s something inherently empowering about starting your day by touching the sky, stretching your arms wide, and embodying your full potential. It’s about feeling the burn of your muscles and remembering that every inch of you is worthy of space in this world. Whether I’m doing downward dog, finding my breath in a sun salutation, or just shaking it out to the beat of my own energy, movement is my first declaration of intention. And trust me, it’s way better than just staring at the mirror, trying to will yourself into good vibes. When you move, you become the vibe.

5. Soundscapes, a morning anthem.

Credit due to a past lover, whose morning routine fell incomplete without a soundtrack. Watching him white boy shuffle to high tempo anthems was endearingly charming. I ever so surely hijacked his method of producing a worthy score. My soundscape playlists elicit the emotions desired for the day. Peace, joy, empowerment, power. Ever the overly ambitious geek, what an opportune time I find it to dance it out. Oh yes, a dance party cum core workout sounds like a mighty fine idea. Shower notwithstanding.

6. Journaling like everyone else who ever became someone

Journaling, oh yes. The sacred ritual of putting pen to paper, and spilling all your internal drama onto a page before it has a chance to explode. Honestly, I didn’t get the hype at first. A notebook seemed like an extra item on my to-do list. But there’s a reason it’s been a self-care staple for decades. It’s your space. Your safe zone to unload and unpack the mess inside. The plot twist is, once you get started, you realize it’s not just unloading—it’s figuring it out. There’s something magical that happens when I let the pen move without thinking, and the words come to life like a guided conversation with myself. The stream-of-consciousness journaling is like a portal into my psyche—sometimes a little scary, always enlightening.

I’ve stopped expecting my journaling to be pretty or profound, because that’s just a setup for disappointment. Some mornings, it’s just a list of things I need to buy at the store, or a scribbled-out note that says, “Ugh, I’m tired.” But more often than not, it’s a place where I confront my feelings, and ask myself what I’m really scared of or what’s been weighing on my mind. Sometimes, just acknowledging how I’m feeling on paper is a game-changer. It’s a way to reflect, to vent, to process—and to celebrate how far I’ve come. So, whether I’m sketching doodles or venting about life’s quirks, journaling is a private yet powerful way to check in with myself. The process itself is a win.

7. Do the todo list

In sweet contrast, my night owl alter ego lives here no more. The one teasing undereye circles, slowly falling asleep as the city wakes up in spite of her. After a typical night of scrolling, texting, pinot grigioing. Over yonder, through the window, it always feels like time has stopped. Time will wait. But such fallacies are a self-centered one. Time waits for no man. And so I choose, this new path, new moments just before the dawn - when it’s still dark, but somehow, somewhere, people are already running late. I’ve joined the fray.

8. Get fitted

No, no, not the gym kind of “fitted,” but more like, the “let’s find our fit for the day” kind of vibe. I can’t tell you how many days I’ve spent scrambling through my closet in a panic, only to arrive at a frustrated conclusion that I “have nothing to wear.” That’s not living. No, we’re here to shine. And while I’m not out here trying to turn heads (okay, maybe a little), what I wear sets the tone for how I’m showing up in the world. I’ve discovered that a killer outfit, whether it’s a luxe loungewear set or a sleek pair of boots, actually becomes a part of my energy. It’s not just about looking good—it’s about feeling unstoppable. And I’m all about that.

Let’s be real: when you feel good in what you’re wearing, you walk a little taller, speak a little louder, and exude that confidence you were born with. It’s not about perfection, it’s about owning who you are and what you wear. Some days, it’s a vintage jacket that makes me feel like a rebel. Other days, it’s the softest sweater that feels like a hug, making me feel grounded and cozy. Either way, I’ve learned that it’s not about what anyone else thinks—it’s about feeling that sense of alignment with yourself. When you get fitted, you align your external world with your internal one. Power move.

9. Have a shot

I’d spike anything with a good honey Jack whiskey if you rub my belly the right way and ask nicely. For the love of slaying the day, my shot of choice before 5pm is a ginger tumeric tincture. Take me back to that day when I popped my Kombucha cherry and tastebuds erupted like an oral orgasm (wait…ah never mind) over the spicy blend of lemony ginger fizz. Since then, I’ve been a spicy mami like Cardi B, just lovin me some lemon and ginger. Tumeric rounds things off nicely. Juice a few lemons with a thumb-sized chunk of ginger and dash of tumeric with a glass of water, then free in ice trays to save for the daily melt in the mornings. Ice, ice baby.

10. Breakfast of champions

Okay, I don’t know who “the champions” are in this scenario, but I’m here for them, and I’ll gladly join their breakfast club. What’s more quintessential than a breakfast that sets you up for greatness? Think: power bowls, green smoothies, overnight oats with a heavy dose of self-love sprinkled in. And let’s not forget the absolute essential: a cup of something warm to sip on. Coffee is a classic, but let’s be real—sometimes, the body wants something a little gentler. Maybe a warm chai latte or matcha, something that gives you that inner zen to go with your ambition. You deserve the good stuff. Breakfast is the first act of self-care of the day—you're telling your body, "Hey, I got you. Now let's make some magic."

In my ideal world, I’m sitting down at a table, basking in the glow of the morning sun, sipping on a warm concoction, and diving into a nourishing breakfast. Every bite is an act of love, feeding not just my body, but my soul. It’s a reminder that nourishment comes in all forms, and what I consume physically, emotionally, and spiritually all informs the day ahead. So yes, that bowl of oats? It’s symbolic of the abundance you’re about to bring into your life today. Breakfast isn’t just a meal, it’s an intention, and I’m here for it.

11. Savoring nature, because... do you really need a reason?

Savoring nature, because….do you really need a reason? Coffee sipping on the patio as the sun rises and uplifts our spirits, setting the tone for a day well lived. Nature, darling. The ultimate cure for anything and everything. Whether it’s the hum of a city street, or the whisper of leaves on a morning breeze, there’s something undeniably magical about connecting to the earth. When I step outside, there’s this instant grounding that happens, like the earth is saying, “I’ve got you.” It’s not just a walk; it’s a moment to breathe in the world around you. The warmth of the sun on your face, the chill of the breeze against your skin—it reminds me that I’m alive, here, now. And honestly, what better reason could there be?

There’s this undeniable peace that comes from savoring the stillness of nature. A morning coffee on the patio, birds chirping as if they’re in on the best-kept secret of the universe, is my slice of bliss. It sets the tone for the rest of the day. Stepping into the natural world doesn’t just energize my body; it resets my mind. There’s something so soothing about the small rituals of nature—whether it’s watching the leaves dance in the wind or pausing to take in the scent of the earth after a fresh rain. It’s a moment of reverence for the fact that, despite all the chaos and noise, the world continues to turn. And in that stillness, there’s clarity.

Love,

Leti

PS—Part Deux, evenings ritual, is currently in production. While I procrastinate and further test, enjoy the temptation of concoting Golden Milk and oil foot massages. Because that is indeed what’s coming. Now sleep well my dears. Darkness befalls us, except this time night is upon us and not behind. This story is brought to you in protest of feeling left out of the club wherin an exhaustive list of successful women praise their morning routine for manifesting health, wealth, and wisodm. Eyeroll. Audible sigh. I had to join the club before my vacation six feet under. You comin?

Posted in RITUALS