Morning Routine of E.L.I.N.A / Volk Kinetshniy
My mornings start before the sun, usually with Dahmer, my cat, purring in my ear and Casper, my dog, nudging me to get up. Their excitement is a gentle push to leave the comfort of my bed, and soon enough, I’m on my feet, ready to embrace the day.
I splash cold water on my face, waking up fully as the house stays quiet. Casper is already at the door, his leash in hand, ready for our morning walk. My sister joins us, and we step out into the early morning calm. The streets are mostly empty, and I savor the stillness, the way the world feels before everyone else has woken up. It’s peaceful, almost like the city is holding its breath.
But on days when we start our walk a bit later, things are different. The streets fill up with people rushing to jobs they hate, faces drawn tight with stress. The air buzzes with frustration, everyone in a hurry to get somewhere they don’t really want to be. The negative energy is palpable, and I can feel it trying to seep into my own mood. It’s draining, and I do my best to avoid it, sticking to the quieter, less crowded routes whenever I can.
Back home, Cookie, my bunny, is waiting for her turn. I let her out, and she takes off like a little whirlwind, hopping and darting around the room. Her pure, chaotic energy is a good counterbalance to the morning’s walk. After a few minutes of watching her play, I settle down for breakfast, thinking ahead to the work waiting for me.
Mornings are when I study for my PhD research, exploring the minds of serial killers. It’s intense, absorbing work that requires my full attention, so I make the most of these quiet hours. But after a while, I need a break. I push my books aside and take a moment to reset—maybe a quick workout, some meditation, or just playing with the pets again.
Then comes my favorite part of the day: time for art. I set up my easel and lose myself in the colors and textures of my oil paints. There’s something incredibly satisfying about watching a blank canvas come to life under my brush. Some days, I spend hours painting, each stroke a way to process and release the thoughts and emotions that build up during my research. Other days, I might write, the words flowing more easily after I’ve spent time creating something visual. If I’m preparing for a photo shoot, my focus shifts to planning and setting up, thinking through the shots I want to capture.
Art is where I find balance. It’s my way of channeling everything I take in—the good, the bad, the chaotic—and turning it into something tangible, something I can share with others. It’s a kind of therapy, a way to express what words can’t always capture.
So, that’s how my mornings usually go—a blend of calm, creativity, and careful avoidance of the hustle and bustle that drains me. What about you? How do you start your day? Do you have any rituals that help you stay grounded and in tune with yourself? I’d love to hear about the little moments that make your mornings special.