How to Romanticise your Work Day
Mornings don’t have to feel rushed or chaotic. With a few small rituals, you can transform them into calm, focused moments that actually set you up for success. Whether you’re running a creative business, working from home or just craving more balance, this is how I bring calm, clarity and purpose into my workday - one intentional morning at a time.
There’s something really special about those slow, intentional mornings before your 9-5. The sun is just rising and everything is quiet. I’ve made myself a matcha, sliced up some juicy strawberries and opened my planner while the light was still soft across the bedsheets. Yes, working from home means that sometimes you get to use the soft office 😉 It felt peaceful in the simplest of ways and reminded me how much those tiny rituals shape the way my whole day unfolds.
If you’re anything like me, you probably spend a lot of your day juggling a thousand creative things: emails, ideas, invoices, inventory management, product development, marketing = chaos! But adding a few intentional rituals to your routine can help ground you and make even the most hectic of days feel like something you’re in, rather than just surviving.
Here are a few small rituals that help me slow down and bring more calmness, energy, and creativity into my workdays:
☁️ 1. Start with something that feels soft but intentional
Whether it’s making a cup of your favourite drink (hello, tea!) or sitting somewhere comfy to check in with your planner, start the day in a way that feels gentle but purposeful. For me, it’s a cup of hot tea or matcha, a warm blanket, and a quick brain dump in my planner before diving into any tasks.
✏️ 2. Write down only what matters
It’s easy to overfill your to-do list and then feel like you’ve already failed by lunchtime. I try to list just three main priorities each day - the things that’ll make me feel most accomplished. Everything else becomes a “bonus.” I never have a bad day when I complete my three main things.
I highly recommend not skipping this step - it makes the day feel more productive when you tick those key tasks off. Plus, you get a big dopamine boost when you tell yourself you’re going to do something… and you actually do it! It’s science 😌
🍓 3. Add something you genuinely enjoy
I used to think rituals had to be super structured and strict (think “at my desk before 9am and emails before anything else!”). But sometimes it’s about finding joy in ordinary moments. A croissant while replying to emails? Yes please! A scented candle while you create a vision board? Sign me up.
💭 4. Step away on purpose
Okay, this one can be tricky when you’re in the thick of it, but even the cosiest setup can’t fix burnout if you never pause. Around midday, I take five minutes to stretch, walk, or just look out the window. It sounds tiny, but it resets my brain. If you’re lucky enough to live somewhere you can step outside for fresh air, do it. If not, the back garden counts - and if that’s not an option, even moving to a different spot in your workspace can help reset your energy.
🌸 5. Reflect before you close your laptop
At the end of the day, I like to jot down one thing I’m proud of - even if it’s small. It’s a way to close the day intentionally instead of collapsing onto the sofa wondering where the time went. It makes those “there’s never enough time” days feel worthwhile. Sometimes I even make a to-done list to see everything I’ve achieved that day. Again, thank you dopamine - it works every time!
When I designed my first ever planner this year, I wanted it to capture this feeling: that blend of calm, energised creativity and everyday accomplishment. Something that doesn’t pressure you to do more, but helps you make space for what actually matters while helping you get it done.
If you’ve been craving a more intentional routine lately, maybe this is your reminder to create one small ritual of your own. Even if it’s just sitting quietly with your planner and a hot cup of something yummy 💖
