Morning Rituals: Coffee or Meditation, Which Comes First?

WELLBEINGYOGA

Jul 21

Coffee or meditation first? File this under first-world problems. But I can’t be the only one overthinking this dilemma.

I’m a spiritual seeker… and also someone who takes my coffee very seriously. The two don’t always vibe, but they both have an important place in my morning routine.

For years, I’ve been devoted to my coffee ritual. I am a French press fanatic. Organic beans freshly ground. I’ve even made it a personal mission to find which vegan milk foams the best (so far, Not Milk and Gud Soy Barista are tied for first!). Then comes the sprinkle of cocoa, cinnamon, or cardamom—depending on my personal intention for the day. And that first sip? Bliss.

But if I am being honest…

Spiritual Rituals Should Come First

I live just a few steps from the ocean—a dream that took years to manifest (more on that here)—and each morning, I wake up early to meditate. It's a non-negotiable. I could not function (let alone thrive) without that grounding time to connect with breath, stillness and something greater.

For years, my morning ritual has been:

Wake up
Make the perfect cup of coffee
Take it to the beach
Sip a few times... and then ignore it for the next 30-so minutes while I meditate.

It always felt right and comforting. But I have perhaps finally advanced in my spiritual journey to a new path.

My New Practice of Meditating Before Coffee

I had to be real with myself. If I’m truly committed to setting the tone for a peaceful, intentional day, meditation should come first.

As every coffee lover knows, coffee is a stimulant. It literally turns the brain on. Which is great—just not when you’re trying to ease into your day with clarity and quiet.

Meditation works best when your mind is still fresh from sleep, before the caffeine kicks in and your to-do list and brilliant new ideas start seeking attention.

I realized that in putting coffee first, I was setting my body and mind into productivity mode before attaining morning peace.

New Motto: But First, Meditation

I’ve been experimenting with reversing the order. No coffee first thing. Just wake up, breathe, and go sit. And here’s what I’ve found:

My meditation is calmer, less jumpy.
My mind settles faster.
I’m less likely to get distracted and not make it to my meditation.
Huge bonus: I can actually enjoy my coffee after—feeling more peaceful and not just gulping a few sips before I sit down to meditate.

It took a bit of unlearning—especially after 20 years of living by the motto “But first, coffee.” But shifting this small routine has created a big energetic change. I feel more grounded when I proceed to sip my grounds, hee hee.

Rituals bring the sacred to our everyday life

Rituals are sacred. They’re the small, everyday ceremonies that remind us we are part of something greater and center us on our values and purpose. Yea, morning coffee can do all that if you treat it intentionally!

Whether it's your workout, your breathwork, journaling, or just a quiet moment alone, the things you want to prioritize have to come first in the. morning. Before checking your phone or getting busy. Maybe even before coffee.

My current morning ritual: I sip a cup of lemon water as I head down to the beach to meditate. After my meditation, I prepare my coffee and enjoy each warm and fuzzy moment of bliss of drinking it while chatting with my husband, reading or journaling.

So I’m curious:

Which comes first for you—meditation or coffee?

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