Flow State

Nobody asked for this, but that has never stopped me before.

I’ve fallen into a pretty consistent morning routine, which is either a sign of discipline or that I’m slowly becoming my father. Jury’s still out.

First thing: I drink a glass of water. Hydration. Health. Also, because every article on the internet says that if you don’t, you’ll die immediately.

Then I go downstairs and make coffee. Real coffee.  While I drink it, I read the Bible. Yes—every single day. I’ve been doing that for about a year and three months now.

Last year I read it straight through, cover to cover. This year, I’m mixing it up—four chapters a day from different books using a reading plan (M’Cheyne plan, if you care). It makes me feel both spiritual and efficient, which is really the goal.

After that, I read the newspaper while eating something light. I also take my vitamins at this point, because apparently I’m now the kind of person who has “a vitamin routine.”

Then I get dressed and head to work early. On the drive, I listen to an audiobook. So technically, I’ve already hydrated, caffeinated, prayed, eaten, supplemented, and read the Bible, current events, and a book.  I should feel good about myself by now, productive, but I’m me, so I don’t.

At work, I usually have about 45 minutes before the day starts. First up: journaling. I know. Younger me would absolutely roast current me for this. But it works. It helps me focus on gratitude, clears out the mental clutter, and gives me a few minutes of actual quiet.

Then I do the daily chess puzzle. Current streak: 215 days. At this point, I’m less interested in improving at chess and more interested in not breaking the streak and having an existential crisis.

After that, I prep for classes like a responsible adult.

I track a few of these habits, so by this point in the day, I’ve already checked off:

• Drink Water
• Read Bible
• Vitamins
• Journal
• Read a Book

Not bad for before the first period.

During my first prep period of the school day, I’ll pick up my bass guitar for at least 30 minutes.  I don’t need to prep because I came in early to do that. During lunch, I do the New York Times crossword, because nothing says “relaxing break” like being humbled by a clue about a 1970s opera.  During my second prep period, I go for a run a few times a week or I practice ASL.

After school, I work out and practice ASL if I can’t do them during the workday. And that pretty much wraps up all my “habits” and to-dos for the day.

Now, if this sounds like I’ve got everything dialed in and live a perfectly structured, productive life…just know this is the same person who still considers sitting on the couch the gold standard of “real free time.”

Balance.