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My Morning Routine, Buzzcut Summer, and the Sanctity of Hardcore

My Morning Routine, Buzzcut Summer, and the Sanctity of Hardcore

Monday musings on life, clothing, and style.

Nico Lazaro's avatar
Nico Lazaro
May 12, 2025
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The Bengal Stripe
The Bengal Stripe
My Morning Routine, Buzzcut Summer, and the Sanctity of Hardcore
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For the past few years, I’ve had a pretty steady routine. It starts with sunlight, water, and movement. As I age, I’m realizing it’s important to be kind to yourself and generous with the time you devote to self-care. It’s the filling of your cup that allows you to show up fully for the things that matter to you, work or otherwise.

Everyone’s version of self-care looks different. Mine starts slow but methodical. Ruby says I like to have my things a certain way, and it’s true—I find comfort in ritual, in caring for a few well-made objects that return the favor. When I shop, I aim for “one and done”—the right thing, not the quick thing. I feel the same way about my body, because you can’t really buy another one if it breaks—at least not yet.

My Shakti mat and pillow — an integral part of my morning routine.

After I get outside for some fresh air and sunlight, I drink water, take my vitamins, and stretch a little. Then I put the kettle on and lie out on the back deck on my Shakti mat and pillow for 10 to 15 minutes. It’s a modern take on traditional acupressure, rooted in ancient Chinese and Indian practices, and it’s become one of the most grounding parts of my routine. The spikes stimulate circulation, ease tension in my back (which has been a longtime issue), and give me a brief window to check in with myself before the day really begins. There are a bunch of acupressure mats out there today, but I chose Shakti for their values. Every mat supports global impact work—providing mosquito nets, deworming tablets, and vitamin A supplements to underserved communities in India; planting over 222,000 trees; and helping capture more than 13,000 tonnes of carbon through reforestation. It’s still surprisingly rare to find products, especially wellness-related ones, that deliver both personal and planetary benefits, but this one does.

My morning matcha latte in a homemade mug from Ruby’s friend, Sarah.

After that, it’s matcha time. I’ve fully transitioned from coffee, and I love the slower process—whisking the tea by hand, pouring it into a slightly imperfect ceramic cup. I used to have a tea set I picked up in Japan, but after it broke, I replaced it with this one that still carries that same grounding energy. There’s a whole philosophy behind the value of handmade objects and imperfections that bring us closer to the world around us—see The Beauty of Everyday Things or In Praise of Shadows (which I’m currently re-reading and echoes my overarching sentimentality for ancient crafts)—but to put it simply: the tools we use matter. They shape how we move through the world.

Depending on the day, I’ll either have breakfast or head straight into a workout. By the time that’s done, I’m usually ready to get into deep focus mode.


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