Olimpia Zagnoli
Olimpia Zagnoli is an illustrator from Milan, Italy, who collaborates with The New York Times, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, La Repubblica, and Taschen, among others. Olimpia loves T.Rex and wearing stripes.
What is your morning routine?
I don’t really have a routine, I basically just try to get out of bed.
There are times when I like to wake up quite early and relax for a while, have breakfast, and read a book. Other times though, I just brush my teeth and run to the studio or to an appointment wearing the same t-shirt I slept in the night before.
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
Honestly, I don’t think I ever had one.
I’ve never lived alone, I’ve always shared my bedroom with my sister or my boyfriends so it’s always been really hard for me to find my own routine.
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
It changes every day. Probably now that I’m 31 it got a little more serious, with more natural rhythms. I don’t fall asleep at 4:00am after a marathon of pop corn, a full television series, and makeup tutorials anymore, so my mornings are usually more healthy.
What time do you go to sleep?
Around half-past midnight. I used to stay up a lot longer but now I just try to be a normal person.
Do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
My boyfriend sets an alarm and then he wakes me up. Sometimes I’ll use mine, which is the beginning of the Beatles’ song, Piggies. I like to snooze it once or twice.
How soon after waking up do you have breakfast, and what do you typically have?
Sometimes I have breakfast at a bar with a cappuccino and croissant, sometimes I just have a tea at home. When I have enough time and a full fridge I would put together some yogurt with blueberries, oats, and agave syrup.
Do you have a morning workout routine?
I walk to the studio or ride my bike.
How about morning meditation?
I love it, but to say I do it every day would be a lie.
Do you answer email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
I do it all day long.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning?
Quite immediately.
What are your most important tasks in the morning?
Get out of bed, have nice hair, get to the studio at a decent time.
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
Water.
Do you also follow this routine on weekends, or do you change some steps?
Weekends are a bit more wild.
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
Absolutely not. It’s a miracle if I remember to bring my own toothbrush.
What do you do if you fail to follow your morning routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
I fail almost every day, but I choose to face the day with a smile.
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