Temitopé Owolabi
Temitopé Owolabi is a photographer, content creator, and student of visual production and art direction. Temitopé currently lives in Ottawa, Canada.
What is your morning routine?
I wake up at 6:00am every day. I’ll very briefly check my email and Instagram newsfeed before taking a shower and brushing my teeth so that I can be out the door by 7:00am.
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
For as long as I can remember. If you really want to take charge of the day, it is very far-reaching waking up as early as you can because between 6:00am-7:00am, I feel, it is the most peaceful and beautiful time of the day.
As a university student, photographer, and content creator I’m always on the go, which means I get to appreciate nature and watch people as they go about their everyday hustle whether it is people going for a morning jog or people heading to work or school. It is very influential and I cherish these moments, it is very inspiring to me.
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
It honestly depends on what I have planned out for the day.
I am currently balancing between school and being a photographer and content creator. Let’s say I have a planned shoot scheduled for noon. I may sleep in, but I never sleep in past 9:00am because doing so is very unproductive for me. Between the hours of 10-11:00am I spend my time checking email, reading, working on a project, or editing photos.
Depending on what projects I’m working on, that is usually the only time my morning routine shifts or alternates.
What time do you go to sleep?
I go to bed around midnight, or 1:00am at the latest.
Do you do anything before going to bed to make your morning easier?
I just started working out again. I strongly feel it helps your overall mental and physical state. When waking up the next day you feel good about yourself.
Do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
I use my iPhone as my alarm. I essentially have two alarms for those nights when I went to bed really late. Always have your alarm set to go off at least twice between the times you set it in case you accidentally hit the snooze button because you were extremely tired from the night before.
I occasionally hit the snooze button. I must admit getting up can be quite challenging sometimes. But sometimes you just have to force yourself to get up; you have to kind of train your body to adjust to a certain routine. Lately I’ve been waking up literally a minute before my alarm goes off. I think my body has gotten so used to my morning routine that my body acts as its own internal alarm clock.
How soon after waking up do you have breakfast, and what do you typically have?
They say, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” I’d say immediately after I shower and brush my teeth I might make some oatmeal or have some cereal with eggs, bacon, and toast.
Whenever I’m in a rush and don’t have time to prepare breakfast I’ll grab an apple. That usually does the job for me.
Do you have a morning meditation routine, and if so what kind of meditation do you practice?
I conventionally would show gratitude for another chance at life. Because I feel every morning you wake up, you’re favored and granted another opportunity to live and fulfil your purposes.
Do you answer email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
One of the first things I do when I wake up is check email. I don’t necessarily respond to them right away but I take a quick look to see if there’s anything highly important, but typically I respond to them later in the day.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning?
I might take a glance at my notifications for anything important before taking charge and ruling the day.
What are your most important tasks in the morning?
Laying my bed, eating breakfast, and meeting deadlines.
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 my favorite, by far the best time to accomplish as much as you can because everyone else is sleeping in and taking a break from working all week. I make the most of my weekends.
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
When I’m in a home away from my actual home, I’m naturally up very early so I can plan my day accordingly.
What do you do if you fail to follow your morning routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
If I fail to commit to my routine I am always able to adjust to a mindset of advancement because I’m constantly thinking of the next thing to do. I do things to keep me motivated.
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