Morning Practice
Every morning, before the rest of the day crowds in and my attention is scattered, I come to the page.
But what counts as writing every day? Just showing up? A few lines of journaling? A completed poem? Something in between?
For me the answer shifts. I intuitively follow a practice…until it feels like it’s time for a change. That usually happens maybe once a season. Here are two recent schedules to give you a taste of what my mornings include:
- Write the word (copywork focused on the Psalms)
- Read a selection from World Enough and Time
- Read a poem from Joy
- Copy out an aphorism from Sound of the Ax
- Write
- Read from How to Become a Better Writer by Shaunta Grimes
There’s a lot of overlap between these two lists. Items move in and out organically. One relative constant? There’s a reward at the end! Reading Shaunta Grimes and investigating her resources is my reward for moving through the practices.
Morning writing practice isn’t revolutionary, and it’s not a perfect system. But it is enough.
I love your early morning picture and the discipline your schedule requires. The example that you are for the kids is worth so much.