What's the first thing you can do in the morning when you wake up besides checking your phone?

To kick off any activity. I got this idea from someone on a podcast (I don't remember who), and she said it works so well for her because it presents a rupture in whatever she's doing and a commitment to do something new.

I could try listing 5 things I'm grateful for. I typically try to practice active gratitude at night because I find it comforting before sleeping, but I don't see the harm in doing it twice per day.

I don't have a mantra, but I do believe in the power of repetition. Actively articulating a a mantra, especially as a habit, could help me feel and act confident, competent, humble, graceful, or whatever else I'm working on at the moment.

I'm not really religious, but prayer can bring peace. It seems like a good way to start the day.

I like the idea of this because it commits me to doing something on my plate and making progress towards a goal.

Observe my surroundings, my emotions, and my state of being. Then, let these considerations guide me as I prepare to get up and actively start the day.

I don't remember if stretching is typically prescribed before or after workouts, but I love stretching in the morning. It makes me feel awake and alive. If I do it in the morning, I'll also have the benefit of actually getting it done vs. postponing and infinitely procrastinating it.

And promise myself to actually call them (and leave a message if they're not around).

Ideally not a novel. I've been trying to get more into philosophy lately and finally downloaded Meditations on my Kindle, so maybe I can start with that.

I have to do this every day anyway, so why not begin my day with it and get it out of the way. On the other hand, perhaps I don't do my most profound thinking first thing in the morning.