Jules Clancy
Jules Clancy is a former food scientist turned cookbook author, real food lover, and the voice behind Stonesoup, a blog featuring recipes of just six ingredients or less. Jules currently lives in Wamboin, Australia with her husband and two small boys.
What is your morning routine?
I have my alarm set for 4:50am and mostly get up as soon as it goes off (thanks to following Mel Robbins’ 5 Second Rule). I still can’t believe I’ve become an early riser, but since having children, my mornings are my me time.
Generally, I’ll then weigh myself, test my blood sugar (I’m a type 2 diabetic), and then do two sets of fifty kettlebell swings, which gets my heart rate going and wakes me up. I’ll then get dressed and sneak into my studio while the rest of the house sleeps.
I meditate using transcendental meditation for twenty minutes and then do some journaling/goal-writing and affirmations. Lately I’ve been substituting the journaling with visualization exercises from Maxwell Maltz’s Psycho Cybernetics.
I then do half an hour of work from about 6:00am, usually something creative that requires a fresh mind. After that I go for a walk for thirty or sixty minutes (depending on the day), feed my chooks (Australian for chickens), and collect the eggs. I’m still excited that every morning we have super fresh eggs!
Breakfast is next. Pancakes or porridge (oatmeal) for my boys (three and five years old) and some sort of eggs, usually with potatoes, for my Irishman. Black coffee for me. I fast until lunchtime because it helps with my blood sugar and it’s much easier in the morning than having to cook breakfast for one more person!
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
About two years (since my youngest started sleeping through the night regularly). While I’m always tweaking the meditation, the exercise has been a constant.
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
My mornings currently consist of less work and more journaling, affirmation, and gratitude time. I’ve been experimenting with adding visualization exercises.
What time do you go to sleep?
I have a reminder set to shower at 9:20pm, and I aim to be asleep before 10:00pm. I’ve been experimenting with reducing the amount of time I spend in bed, and it’s really helped with my sleep problems.
Do you do anything before going to bed to make your morning easier?
Absolutely. I set out my clothes for the day (so I don’t have to think about them in the morning) and put my journal, headphones, and a bottle of water in my little meditation space in my studio.
Do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
Yes to the alarm. I never hit snooze, but I have been known to stay in bed a little longer. But since reading The 5 Second Rule I find it easier to just get up straight away.
How soon after waking up do you have breakfast, and what do you typically have?
I have black coffee about two hours after I get up. While I don’t eat breakfast (my first meal is lunch around noon), here are some of my favorite healthy breakfast ideas.
My lunches are usually some sort of abundance bowl of poached eggs or sardines with cooked or raw veggies and a delicious sauce (mayo, pesto, or hummus) to bring it all together. I’ve written in more detail about my lunch formula over on my blog.
Do you have a morning workout routine?
Yes! Two sets of kettlebell swings (fifty swings to a set) and either a thirty- or sixty-minute walk. On Wednesdays I drive to a friend’s house and lift some weights with her and a group of friends.
Can you tell us more about your morning meditation routine?
I’ve been meditating for over three years. I’m a TM (Transcendental Meditation) fan. I also meditate at lunch or in the evening, but that is much more sporadic.
I’m not as consistent with my evening meditation, but when I do it, it’s a nice way to ease into my evening routine. So, I guess the evening is for relaxing, whereas the morning helps me clear my mind for the day. And lunch time is great for getting energized for the afternoon.
I use the Oak meditation app, which tracks my streaks. I’m currently up to 121 days, a personal best!
Do you answer email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
Generally, no. I leave it until the afternoon or later if I can.
Do you use any apps or products to enhance your sleep or morning routine?
Alongside the Oak meditation app for meditation and breathing exercises, I use the Bedtime function on my iPhone for my bedtime reminder and alarm.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning?
I usually don’t turn it off airplane mode until just before I go for my walk. I take my phone on the walk to listen to audiobooks or music, but I don’t check it while I’m walking.
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
Water before I start meditating.
How does your partner fit into your morning routine?
My husband loves to sleep. As long as he doesn’t have to get up, he’s 100 percent supportive of my routine.
Do you also follow this routine on weekends, or do you change some steps?
I’ve been getting up at the same time every single day to help with my sleep. It’s made a huge difference, although sometimes it’s a pain (like when I was up until 3:00am last Saturday).
I don’t work in my studio on weekends. And I don’t go for a walk on Sundays because my husband and I have a deal where he looks after the children on Saturdays while I work in a cafe. Then he sleeps in on Sundays.
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
At a minimum, I get up before 5:00am and meditate. I also have the Five Minute Journal app that I use when traveling to get some affirmations/journaling in.
What do you do if you fail to follow your morning routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
If I miss my morning meditation routine, I try to meditate later in the day. I really notice that when I’ve skipped my meditation, I’m more irritable and less calm.
For me, calmness is a key benefit of meditation. It also helps with my general mental health and being able to cope with whatever life brings my way. It’s also invaluable for helping me be patient with my small boys.
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