30 Comments
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JHong's avatar

I read about changing this seemingly simple thing each morning. Drink water before anything caffeinated. Wild huh? I've been doing it, but I also am just working on my hydration in general. So if there's a difference, I'm just more hydrated which is :)

Shannon Bindler's avatar

I've been doing the same thing! And it's wild how much I dread that water and how much I want that coffee! Haha! But I do notice a big difference when I have some foundational water first thing in the morning. It's often the little things.

JHong's avatar

I looked it up once and coffee and tea are net hydrating for moderate drinkers. But I’m still trying to drink more, and first thing seems to be a day-changer!

Mahmoud Owies's avatar

I need better input! Like yours!!!

But I'll try to pause

Shannon Bindler's avatar

You have great input. I feel like you are naturally doing this already, my friend 🌱🍀🌱

Mahmoud Owies's avatar

🫶🫶🫶🫶

JFT Beach 🇬🇧 🏊 🧘‍♂️'s avatar

A nicely written, short piece, on simple steps to ground yourself and regain a little sanity in your world

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Thank you so much JFT for taking the time and for your thoughtful comment. Means a lot! 💕

Kellie M Little's avatar

I, too, had to give up reading the headlines or listening to the news first thing in the morning. I realized how much my mood and outlook changed almost immediately. Now, like you, I spend that first hour focusing on much healthier ways to start my day. I surround myself in positivity.

Like you and JHong, I've been sticking to that glass of water before coffee. I can't chug it down fast enough, though, because I am dying to get to the treasure that is coffee. It's like a prize for drinking water. Ha!

As usual, I loved this article. Well said. Hugs!

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Who would have thought that one little glass of water would be so hard to get down before the coffee?!?! Hahaha!!

I'm so inspired by you✨in so many ways, Kellie.

Kellie M Little's avatar

Oh Shan, DITTO!!

Alyssa Fu Ward, PhD's avatar

I love your work already. 🥰 It was a gamechanger for me when grounding and flow as ideas entered my brain and body. Actually it started when I did a group coaching program (do you know the Conscious Leadership Group?) where we talked about whole body yes. And that’s when I realized my entire way of being was ruled by my head (as many of us, especially in the West, are). And learning how to listen to my body and go into my body just unlocked this whole cascade of stuff that more or less has landed (tumbled, cried, scrambled, floated) into what you share in your post. ❤️ So excited for more!

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Yes!!!! And I know the Conscious Leadership Group too. I didn't do that one but several in that world.

We should absolutely write something together or do a live or something soon. DM me anytime, my door is always open!!

Alyssa Fu Ward, PhD's avatar

That would be great! I’ll reach out to you!

Jess, The Creator's avatar

great article, Shannon!! I'm working on pausing.

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Me too, sister! Me too! 💕💕💕

Leo in L.A.'s avatar

I begin each day aligning with who I am and my center. That way if I get pulled off center during the day (and I invariably do at least once) it’s easier to get back to alignment and center. 😊

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Love this Leo, and honestly it shows in your writing!

Leo in L.A.'s avatar

Aw, thanks Shannon. Very kind thing to say!

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Truth 💕💥

Jeff Hoots's avatar

Each morning I crave my phone apps' CPAP score and FitBit sleep score like some crave news. I will wait until morning coffee with Darling Bride. With apologies to @itsjhong who is teaching us water before caffeine, morning coffee with my wife is a sacrament.

Shannon Bindler's avatar

I sure do love my morning coffee and do not have any other addictions, but I’m keeping just that one indulgence. But adding a glass of water hasn’t diluted its joy. But I digress. Ha! Starting the day with ritual and depth is so much better! And really does make a difference over time.

Barry J McDonald's avatar

Yeah, it's wild how being deliberate and carving out our mornings can bring so much clarity. When you put up a fence around your focus, we're not just protecting your peace; we're laying down the groundwork for creativity to thrive. - There's a reason why all the wisest people in history did so.

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Barry I love this comment and it could be a post in its own right. It has really made a difference in my life the past year. Much more than I imagined it would.

The Flow Habit ~ Laurie Smith's avatar

I love this post Shannon! Grounding is so important. I especially love reading how you’ve changed your morning routine to begin with plugging into your own inner quietude instead of the outer noise. ❤️🌊

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Thank you Laurie!!! It was one of the most impactful changes I made in the past year. So appreciate you reading and taking the time to comment!

Ps. I sent you a dm with my phone number. We need to get together!

Merdhin Wylde's avatar

I do have a positive morning routine. However, It is surprising all the distractions I have from myself throughout the day, especially at my full time job. I realize they are habits that are even “scheduled” to the minute.

I appreciate how this post shines a light on this. I will start this experiment right away during my first hour at work. Gratefully I do have a job that allows this 🙏

Shannon Bindler's avatar

Man do I feel this!! It’s such a practice! One I keep reminding myself of daily. I notice a huge difference when I’m working and operating from a grounded place! It’s just making that a habit throughout my day that’s the hard part. 😉

Melinda Alcosser's avatar

Thank you for the invitation for pause. 💜