A Good Morning With Jazz Thornton

By Pamela McIntosh

September 27, 2024

Jazz Thornton is a powerhouse of positivity and inspiration. From overcoming childhood sexual abuse, battling mental illness, and surviving multiple suicide attempts, Jazz has emerged stronger than ever. She’s turned her struggles into a mission of hope, creating waves of change in mental health advocacy through her amazing organisation, Voices of Hope (thevoicesofhope.org). Her powerful message and relatable approach has earned her a bunch of accolades, including the Commonwealth Points of Light Award from Queen Elizabeth II, and she was named 2021 Young New Zealander of The Year. So, how does this incredible woman kickstart her day? We caught up with Jazz to find out.

Let’s start the night before. Do you plan for the morning?

Yes, I always organise the night before. I’ll write down my top priorities and order them from most important to least important. It helps me know what to focus on, and what can wait.

What time do you typically wake up in the morning?

Now that I have a puppy, it’s an early start at 5.30am! But I try to go back to bed for a bit…

Jazz Thornton’s dog Bille celebrating his 1st birthday.

Do you have any rituals or habits to start your day?

I do my best to not begin my day looking at my phone. I have realised that it fires up my brain too fast and with far too much information! I’ll try and distract myself [from my phone] as soon as I’m up, by playing with my dog and eating breakfast.

What does breakfast entail?

Always coffee! Then, my ADHD means that I tend to hyperfocus on certain types of food. Right now, it is avocado and baby tomatoes on bagels!

Jazz speaking at Mt Maunganui Intermediate school with her mental health charity Voices of Hope.

Do you follow a specific skincare routine in the morning?

Yes! I’m currently using Glow Recipe Toner, The Ordinary Niacinamide (a water-based serum), a Japanese Hydration Serum, Tatcha Moisturiser, and sunscreen.

Do you schedule in time for meditation or mindfulness?

My ADHD brain makes meditation hard. Just three seconds in and my brain wanders off into thoughts. But getting outside in the morning and throughout the day – even just for 10 minutes at a time – is so good for my mental health. And for me, anti-depressant medication helps.

What’s the most important thing you do to set yourself up for a successful day?

For the past few years, I have started my day by writing down three things I am thankful for. It has been an amazing way to set up my day, even if I wake up in a funk. It means I am forced to look for the good, and it enables me to start my day with a positive outlook, even if it is surrounded by hard stuff.

This interview is featured in Good Magazine’s Mental Wellness issue, on sale now!

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