Rise to Shine with Christina Cheng: How the multi-hyphenate maximizes her mornings
By Kate Oyston
We’re kicking off a new series, spotlighting Canadians who inspire us with how they Rise to Shine, making the most out of each day. Whether they’re killing it at their careers, pursuing their passions, lifting up their communities or anything in between, these folks are chasing their dreams in a way that’s worth taking note of.First up is Christina Cheng. A woman of many talents, Christina started her career in the media, honing her creative chops before launching her own agency. Last year, she went through a major life transition, switching back into the corporate world to take on a role in the music industry. At the same time, she’s kept up with her hobbies: she’s an athlete who founded her own run club, a frequent traveller, a wellness retreat convert, and you’ll often spot her around Toronto’s newest restaurants, shopping her local markets or taking in an exhibit at a gallery. All that, and she’s a mom to a teenage son.So, how does she do it all? Christina attributes a lot of her success maintaining a busy lifestyle to learning how to prioritize rest and creating a home that feels like a respite. We sat down with her to learn more - read on to eavesdrop our conversation.
How do you approach your mornings, to set yourself up for a great day?
My days usually start super early now that I'm a corporate girlie, but I make sure that I still take my time in the morning, starting off with daily affirmations. Practicing gratitude is what gets me up in the morning: the fact that I manifested this life right now that I'm in, that gets me up. It hasn't been easy, for sure, and it still isn't easy. But every day has the potential to be a great one!
You have a busy lifestyle, with so much going on outside of work. Once 5pm hits, how do you shift your mindset from work mode into downtime?
The first thing I do is take an after-work nap. That has become my routine ever since starting in the corporate world. When I'm so go-go-go, I just need that quick reset and then I can go ahead on the second part of my day: train, make dinner, catch up with friends, try out a new restaurant, go to an art gallery, whatever it is. I have an Endy Mattress, and now I knock out so quickly - it's definitely helped with my sleep. I feel so well rested. Even if I’m crunched for time and sleep, I end up feeling like I had eight hours.
For someone who’s so on-the-go, you seem to really prioritize rest. What inspired that?
A good chunk of last year, my mental health wasn't in the greatest place, so I really needed to ask myself “What is it that I'm doing? What is it that I'm missing?” I was pouring so much of my energy into other people and into my work, and a lot of that hit all at once.So I focused back on myself, realizing I needed to reset. And that's exactly what I did. Because I invest so much into community and family, there was definitely some guilt in being selfish, but I know I needed it.
Is there a spot in your home that you gravitate to the most?
My bedroom is my safe haven. I live with a teenager, and you can only imagine that I have a whole bunch of teenagers in my home all the time, so that's my space to really escape. It's my sanctuary: it feels safe and cozy, and honestly, that's exactly what I wanted.
How would you describe the overall aesthetic of your home?
I want to say iIt's very minimal. Lots of neutrals. Scandinavian Nordic vibe. The only colours in here are the pops of pop culture.A lot of the music I listened to growing up, a lot of the hip-hop artists and R&B artists, you'll see represented through art and decor in my home. Jay-Z-inspired rugs are in my living room, and in my son's room. The hanging artwork is Rebecca Maria; I’ve got coffee table books featuring Pharrell, Virgil Abloh, Daniel Arsham, Andy Warhol, Basquiat, and Rick Rubin.
Finish the sentence: my home is _____.
My home is safe.The fact that I have a teenage son, and the fact that I can create this safe community space for him and his friends to come home to, that's huge for me. I have this open-door policy with my son's friends: they can come here and feel at home. I keep the pantry and fridge fully stocked! It's definitely a safe space.Whether you’re experiencing a big career transition, raising a teenager, sweating it out at the gym, or just managing the ups and downs of everyday life, there’s something energizing in Christina’s approach to rest. Meeting each morning with gratitude, finding time to recharge, and creating a home that feels cozy and safe are all things we can carve out space for in our own busy lives, since, as Christina puts it so well, “every day has the potential to be a great one!”Thanks for reading our new Rise to Shine series, and we’ll catch you on the next one.
