We arrived to our home in the Portuguese countryside a week ago, and it has been busier than usual. Aside from the usual activities involved in opening up the house, we hosted friends and rushed to get everything ready for their stay. This week, we finally started to get into the rhythm of life in Portugal.

Adapting to Life in Portugal

There are many aspects of life in Portugal that we love, and one of them is enjoying slow mornings in the countryside. While we try to implement a lot of the same habits as our mindful morning routine back in Toronto, it’s a little altered for now.

Morning Routines in the Portuguese Countryside

Morning routines in the Portuguese Countryside are slightly slower than in the city, including Lisbon. Here, it’s common to hear roosters crowing, see sheep grazing, and wave to your neighbours as they pass by on a tractor. Still, it’s nice to have some sort of routine wherever you go. Take a look at our current morning rituals.

#1. Make the bed

This is a simple one that can be done no matter where you are. It only takes a few minutes, and helps get us on top of our day.

#2. Drink Lemon Water

We’re lucky to have a lemon tree and take full advantage of it. Just like we do at home, we drink a glass of lemon water each morning, only now we get to pick our lemons first!

#3. Breathe in the Country Air

Fresh air in the morning feels amazing. When you have a view like this, you must take it all in. This is also a great time to say affirmations.

#4. Enjoy a Coffee and Croissant

We usually have a healthier breakfast, but as we settle in, we’ve indulged in a croissant here and there. One thing is for sure, we make sure to take our time to enjoy breakfast. This is also the time when we would normally journal. We haven’t been doing much of that, but it’s a ritual that we will definitely be starting again once the dust has settled.

#5. Sort Through the Vegetables from Neighbours

Village life certainly has its charm, and the helpfulness and kindness of the neighbours is definitely one of them. This unexpected delivery was a lovely surprise. We often like to return the favour by cooking a North American dish that people here have never tried. Sharing food is a wonderful way to connect with people.

#6. Explore Nearby Villages/Towns

There’s so much to discover in this country, even in the region where we live. Here, you can see the unique architecture and design on buildings.

#7. Get Ready for Lunch

Lunch time here is sacred, and people often get ready for lunch by mid morning. You can whip up something in the kitchen, or go out and experience the Portuguese cuisine.

A mix of this and that makes for great appetizers.

Often, you can get one entree to share with a few other items to try. After that, you have the rest of the day to enjoy!

Do you have any slow morning routines? Let us know in the comments.

-Isabel & Marilyn