Before the world fills your mind, give yourself permission to create. Creation grounds you. Consumption scatters you. Picture Credit: StockCake
By Aisha Zardad
We live in a world that asks for our attention the moment we open our eyes. Notifications, headlines, messages, and endless scrolling often become the first thing we consume each morning. Before we have taken a breath or checked in with ourselves, the outside world has already stepped in and set the tone for our day. Over time, this habit quietly trains our minds to react rather than choose, to absorb rather than express. Day 9 invites a subtle but powerful shift in how we begin our mornings: create before you consume.
When we consume first, our nervous system moves into alert mode almost instantly. We begin the day responding to emails, opinions, comparisons, and worries that are not yet ours to carry. This can lead to mental fatigue, heightened stress, and a sense of being “behind” before the day has even started. Creating first changes this pattern. It allows us to ground ourselves, clarify our energy, and approach the day with intention rather than urgency.
Creation does not need to be artistic or time-consuming. It simply means choosing an intentional act before allowing the world to speak. This might look like:
- Writing a few honest sentences in a journal
- Stretching your body and noticing how it feels
- Making your bed slowly and with care
- Preparing breakfast or tea mindfully
- Planning your top three priorities for the day
- Taking a few deep breaths while setting an intention
- Doodling, sketching, or mind-mapping
- Sitting in silence and checking in with your emotions
Even five minutes of this kind of creation can shift the emotional tone of your entire day.
A simple way to build this habit is through a gentle morning ritual. Before checking your phone, give yourself five minutes to create. You might leave your phone face down or in another room, choose one creative act that feels easy, and set a short timer. There is no pressure to do it “right.” The purpose is presence, not productivity. Once the five minutes are complete, notice how you feel before moving on to messages, news, or social media.
Journaling is one of the most accessible forms of morning creation. If you’re unsure what to write, allow one of these prompts to guide you:
- “When I create first, I notice…”
- “What I want to bring into today is…”
- “This morning, my energy feels…”
- “If I moved through today with more ease, I would…”
Let the words come without editing or judgment. This is a private space for clarity, not performance.
Creating before consuming is not about avoiding the world or ignoring responsibilities. It is about order, not restriction. When your inner world comes first, you are better equipped to handle external demands. Stress feels more manageable, decisions feel clearer, and your sense of agency strengthens. Over time, this small daily practice builds emotional resilience and a deeper trust in yourself.
As the day comes to a close, take a quiet moment to reflect. Did starting the day with creation make you feel more grounded? Did you respond differently to challenges or stress? Is this a ritual you would like to carry into tomorrow? Awareness itself is progress, and consistency will come through kindness.
Today, remind yourself that you do not need to earn calm or creativity. You are allowed to begin your day gently, to choose presence over pressure, and to let your own voice lead. Creating first is a quiet act of self-respect — one that can transform the way your days unfold.
