Morning Rituals

Every day starts the same way for me. I make the morning coffee. It’s a simple ritual, but it sets the tone for everything that follows. On the rare mornings when I don’t make it, the whole day just feels off.

Before I even start moving in the shop, I take a little time for morning writing. Sitting here and chatting with you for a few minutes helps me solidify the things I’ve learned and focus on what’s in front of me. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. Just taking time to reflect before the day really starts makes a difference. It clears the mental clutter the same way a clean bench clears the physical clutter.

Once I step into the shop, the next part of the ritual begins. First, I light an incense cone. The soft curl of smoke and the familiar smell of the shop flip a switch in my head. My mind shifts from life mode to creative mode.

Then I walk the shop and straighten up. I used to dive right in, working in the middle of whatever mess was left from the last project. Over time I realized that clutter clogs creativity. A clean bench feels like a clear mind, ready for new ideas to land.

By the time the coffee is warm in my hand, the incense is burning, the bench is clean, and my thoughts are settled from that morning reflection, I feel ready to create. Those little cues tell my brain that it’s time to make something new.

Some of this might sound like “woo woo” stuff—incense and self-reflection—but it really isn’t. These are just simple habits that signal to your mind that you are ready for the day and making space to learn and create.

Whatever your ritual looks like, those tiny acts of preparation matter. They are the bridge between the everyday world and the creative one.

Here’s to a Monday that starts calm, clear, and full of potential.