I have tried every morning routine there is: the five a.m. alarm, the cold shower, the ten-page journal. Most lasted about a week. The ones that stuck were small and kind.

Now I do three things: open the curtains, drink a glass of water and write one line about what I am looking forward to. It takes four minutes and sets the tone for the whole day.

If your routine feels like a chore, make it smaller until you want to do it.