Mint in the morning
I’m not a morning person. If I get out of bed too early I transform into a functional zombie for the rest of the day. School, you can imagine, was a bit of a problem, having to be there at 8:00 or earlier sometimes. But I had help.
On my way out, a mint plant was thriving under a leaky tap. Every morning I’d grab a bunch, rub it gently between the palms of my hands, and deeply inhale that lovely fresh smell; I’d sniff my cupped palms during the walk until it dissipated.
Since then I try to have mints near me for when I need their assistance in braving the world.