Hello friends -
What are you doing at 4 am? I’m guessing you are still asleep in bed, which is the sensible option. At 4am every morning I wake up without an alarm, make myself a cup of coffee and then sit on a small couch in my kitchen.
What comes next sets up my day for artistic success!
I sip from a mug that says, “Today Is Going To Be Amazing.” I write in a journal that says,“Think Happy Thoughts.” I read a little. I plan my day and our family meals. I make lists. I try to stay away from the news and social media because it’s such a downer. I do some drawing in my big sketchbook. All of this takes about an hour and it’s my favorite hour of the day!
I come from a long line of early birds and morning creatives.
This morning ritual started when I was young. Many of you know I grew up on my dad’s fishing boat, which meant I had to be off the boat by 5am or I would spend the day hauling mackerel out of the ocean. That never appealed to me, so I got up early.
But it was my mom who inspired my creative mornings. She wrote poems and mystery novels at 5am before going to her day job as a construction manager. The click click click of her IBM selectric typewriter was always the harbinger of a pleasant day - like a morning bird’s song.
So now I rise early to think, plan and create the life I want - without interruptions or the pressure of other people’s needs. I can be myself at 4am and that time fuels me for the rest of the day.
What are your artistic rituals?
You don’t have to wake up at 4am (whew!) but maybe you take an early walk? Or sketch what you see out your window before scrolling through instagram? Maybe take some inspiration from other creatives. Did you know:
Benjamin Franklin spent his mornings naked.
Virginia Woolf and Tom Wolfe both wrote standing up and Tom was so tall he wrote on the top of his fridge!
Beethoven would count out 60 beans for his morning coffee
Isak Dinesen (one of my favorite writers) subsisted on oysters and champagne but also amphetamines.
Fred Rodgers went swimming nearly every morning of his life.
Kierkegaard would fill his cup with sugar before adding coffee.
Charles Dickens always slept facing north because he thought it enhanced his creativity.
My friends Brian and Debbie Miller wake up early and paint together before going off to their day jobs. They have done this for years and now have bathtubs full of daily paintings. They are also coming to Slow River in October to teach a Workshop on Daily Painting!
Looking For More Ideas For New Rituals? Try These Resources:
Give it a try! And no matter which new ritual you decide to try, we can help you sustain it! Slow River Studio is the right place to turn any new ritual into a rich habit. We can’t wait to help you find your flow!
Love, Jess