Jessica Walsh
Jessica Walsh is a designer, art director, and Partner at Sagmeister & Walsh in New York City, where she also serves as a faculty member at The School of Visual Arts.
What is your morning routine?
I don’t sleep much and I have no real routine. There are months where I’ll only sleep 3-5 hours a night. Others I’ll sleep a good 5-7.
Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep. Other times I have trouble staying asleep. I travel constantly and the jet lag doesn’t really help with this. These days I’m often asleep by midnight and up again by 4:00am.
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
I’ve had insomnia since I was twelve. There are months that will pass where I’ll sleep better than others. I used to get anxiety about whether I’d sleep or not but now I just take it as it is and I don’t stress about it, and I try to see the positive side of it.
I like waking up really early in the morning as it’s quiet, and I can write and think and read as during work hours it’s non-stop email madness. However, I am most productive when I sleep around 5-7 hours as I’m sharper during the day. If I sleep eight or more hours I turn into a sloth.
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
I go straight for my computer to check my email and the news. I make myself black coffee, shower and get ready, go to a coffee shop and grab a latte, then start working.
What time do you go to sleep?
Between 11:00pm and 1:00am.
Do you do anything before going to bed to make your morning easier?
If I’m with my husband he likes to watch an episode of a television show before bed. It’s nice to shut off your mind that way. If I am by myself, I’ll work right up until the moment I fall asleep.
Do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
I wake up on my own.
How soon after waking up do you have breakfast, and what do you typically have?
These days I’ve been loving almond croissants from Maison Kayser.
Do you have a morning workout routine?
I go through phases. Some months I’ll work out like crazy, two hours each morning. Other months I’m super lazy and do nothing. I have a very black and white personality like that!
Do you have a morning meditation routine?
I don’t do any regular meditation in the morning.
Do you answer email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
Yes. I like waking up very early in the morning before my inbox gets crazy.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning?
Immediately.
What are your most important tasks in the morning?
Coffee.
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
A latte at around 9:00am.
Do you also follow this routine on weekends, or do you change some steps?
Weekends I do tend to sleep a little more. I wake up and usually go to brunch around 11:00am. On weekends I love elaborate brunches: eggs, green juice, latte, and a mimosa is a nice start to a Saturday or Sunday!
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
I am constantly traveling and moving around, so I have no real routine. I can adapt to any changing environment, including an airplane.
What do you do if you fail to follow your morning routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
Honestly, there is no such thing as normal for me.
Our recommended book this week is The Art of Learning by Josh Waitzkin. We only recommend three things a week that we believe will be of interest to our readers. Please take a moment to check it out.
