Morgan Wade On Sticking To The Routine | The Daily Stoic

Intro

In this episode of “The Daily Stoic” podcast, host Ryan Holiday interviews musician Morgan Wade. They discuss the importance of routine, staying active, and finding balance in life, as well as the challenges and rewards of being a successful artist. Wade shares insights into her creative process and how she navigates the demands of touring while maintaining her mental and physical well-being.

Main Takeaways

Routine and Creativity

• Design your life around when you’re creatively peaking
• Establish a morning routine that works for you
• Listening to the same song on repeat can help you get into a creative groove
• Walking or running can help unlock creativity and generate new ideas
• Focus on the main thing you do and not get caught up in self-consciousness or what others think

Staying Active and Physical Health

• Being active is important to Morgan
• Morgan is training for a 30-hour race
• Walking helps Morgan wind down and stay in a good mood
• Strengthening certain areas of the body can help prevent pain during physical activities
• Mental and soul work is the hardest but most important

Maintaining Balance and Mental Health

• Changing perspective on challenges can make them opportunities rather than stressors
• Being too reliant on routine can make you fragile and unable to adapt
• Sobriety can be a turning point for greater focus and dedication
• Taking a break from social media can be beneficial for mental health
• Success, fame, and money cannot fix internal issues

Challenges of Being an Artist

• Finding a balance between home life and road life is a challenge
• Learning to say no is important for achieving balance and avoiding burnout
• Achieving success may not solve all problems and can create new ones
• Being recognized in public can be overwhelming
• It’s important to focus on helping even just one person through your work

Summary

Routine and Creativity

Morgan Wade emphasizes the importance of designing your life around your creative peak. Establishing a morning routine that works for you can set the stage for a productive day. Wade shares her habit of listening to the same song on repeat to get into a creative groove. She also finds inspiration and generates new ideas while walking or running. Wade advises artists to focus on their main craft and not get caught up in self-consciousness or the opinions of others.

Staying Active and Physical Health

Being physically active is a priority for Morgan Wade, who is training for a 30-hour race. She finds that walking helps her wind down and maintain a positive mood. Wade highlights the importance of strengthening specific areas of the body to prevent pain during physical activities. She acknowledges that mental and soul work is challenging but essential for overall well-being.

Maintaining Balance and Mental Health

Morgan Wade shares her perspective on challenges, seeing them as opportunities rather than stressors. She cautions against becoming too reliant on routine, as it can make individuals fragile and resistant to adapting to unexpected situations. Wade also discusses the positive impact of sobriety on her focus and dedication. Taking breaks from social media can be beneficial for mental health, as it allows for a reprieve from addictive tendencies. She emphasizes that success, fame, and money cannot fix internal issues and that prioritizing mental and soul work is crucial.

Challenges of Being an Artist

For artists like Morgan Wade, finding a balance between home life and life on the road can be a significant challenge. Learning to say no and prioritize self-care is essential for achieving balance and avoiding burnout. Wade acknowledges that achieving success may not solve all problems and can even create new ones. Being recognized in public can be overwhelming, prompting some artists to dress a certain way to avoid unwanted attention. Despite the challenges, connecting with fans and seeing the impact of their music can be a powerful and rewarding experience.

Conclusion

In this episode, Morgan Wade shares valuable insights into the importance of routine, staying active, and maintaining balance as an artist. She highlights the significance of finding a morning routine that works for you and using it as a foundation for creativity. Wade also emphasizes the benefits of physical activity for mental well-being and the challenges of maintaining balance between personal and professional life. Overall, her experiences and advice provide valuable lessons for aspiring artists and individuals seeking to find harmony in their lives.