Hanny Kusumawati
Hanny Kusumawati is a writer, photographer, traveller, and the creative director at a Jakarta-based communications consultancy who co-founded Coin a Chance! to send unfortunate children back to school.
What is your morning routine?
I’ll typically waking up at around 5:30am and listen to the early sounds of the morning before going back to sleep until 7:00am.
The kitchen will always be my first destination. Getting a cup of coffee is my morning priority. I’ll then sit cross-legged at the dining table, sipping my coffee, thinking about nothing at all while petting my dog.
At around 8:00am, I go for a swim with my Dad until around 10:00am before hitting the shower and getting ready for work. Next I’ll head to the bus terminal on an ojek (motorcycle taxi) before a forty-minute bus ride to the neighboring town. I use the first twenty minutes on the bus to do my morning meditation, choosing to read a book for the rest of the journey.
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
The twenty-minute meditation is recent, but the rest have gradually become my morning routine over the last nine months.
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
Earlier this year, I struck a deal with the company I work with to be able to work remotely. I travel a lot, so having the freedom to work from anywhere is so liberating!
When I’m in town, I come to the office only twice a week (half-day each in the afternoon), and when I’m traveling all communications can be made via email or Skype. Now I have more time to myself in the morning; something I am truly grateful for.
What time do you go to sleep?
Usually around 11:00pm.
Do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
Yes, I do, but usually I wake up before the alarm rings. Sometimes I hit the snooze button just to snuggle in bed longer.
How soon after waking up do you have breakfast, and what do you typically have?
A cup of coffee is my breakfast, and then a glass of water. I don’t usually eat in the morning. It’s a good excuse to have a big lunch!
Do you have a morning workout routine?
Swimming, three times a week. When I’m not swimming, I’m just dancing around the house.
How about morning meditation?
Yes, I have been practising my morning meditation for about a month.
On my free days, my morning meditation will follow my morning coffee. I like to meditate on long-haul flights, too. The benefit of having short legs is that I can sit cross-legged on my seat without nudging the person who sits beside me.
Do you see to email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
I check my personal email first thing in the morning as I’ll usually find some lovely emails in there that will lift my mood throughout the day. I leave my work email until later in the day.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning, either for calls/messages or social media and news?
I use the alarm clock on my phone; so naturally it’s first thing I grab in the morning upon waking up.
What are your most important tasks in the morning?
Making myself a cup of coffee and surrounding myself with the things that make me happy! It’s important for me to keep myself happy in the morning, because it will lift up my mood throughout the day.
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
Coffee, right upon waking up!
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
Only my morning coffee and morning dose of happiness. When I’m traveling alone, I can keep most of my routine, but if I’m traveling with someone else, most of the time I just have to compromise.
What do you do if you fail to follow your routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
I won’t freak out, that’s for sure. I think it’s good not to be tied down with routines too much. There should always be a room for spontaneity and flexibility.
Even if I do fail to follow my routine, I can still keep myself happy by doing something I love: writing, reading, enjoying a lovely view, talking to strangers, or simply daydreaming.
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