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We’ve all had those days. You wake up late, scramble to find clean clothes that at least sort of look like they go together, and rush to get out the door. Stress that seems to chase you all day long.
Imagine how differently you would feel waking up gently, taking time to nourish your body and mind, so by the time you leave the house you feel fully prepared to meet any challenge that might arise.
The internet is full of morning routine checklists, and Pinterest posts about "the 25 things to include in your ideal morning routine". But if they don't address your personal needs and limitations, how do any of those help you?
Let's take a different approach. One that considers your dreams and desires, and results in a morning routine that perfectly serves you. So each day can begin with warmth, joy, and confidence.
Begin with these three simple questions:
1. What have your days been missing?
Once we get into the hustle and bustle of our days it’s easy to forget things like drinking water, filling nutritional gaps, engaging in physical activity, or the stillness of quiet reflection. But these are exactly the things we need to keep stress levels low and confidence levels high. So if we can get them in first, before our day runs away with us, we have set ourselves up for success. What needs have you been overlooking?
2. What will bring you joy?
Happiness is a powerful motivating force—you’re much more likely to repeat activities that you actually enjoy than ones that cause you pain or irritation. So a routine that is truly sustainable can't be frustrating or difficult. Plus, starting your day with a smile increases the odds that you will end with one too. How might you bring fun, delicious, or inspiring feelings and sensations into your routine?
3. How much time do you (actually) have to commit each day?
It’s important to be realistic about how much you can include in your routine—if you only have 15 minutes each morning, you won’t be successful at maintaining an hour long routine. But maybe you can find three 5 minute tasks that each have a positive impact. Be honest with yourself, and remember you can always add more activities later on after you’ve built a reliable habit.
For #1 and #2, you can make a simple list. Then figure out how long each list item will take, and decide how many you can fit in (given your answer to #3). And voila! You have the beginnings of a morning routine that works for your life!
Remember: Consistency is key. Both to prove to yourself that you’re capable of maintaining healthy habits, and to increase your efficiency. When your routine becomes such an automatic habit that you don’t have to think about it anymore, it frees up energy that you can apply elsewhere. (like finally getting to a task that’s been hanging over your head!)
That doesn’t mean that you have to do the exact same thing every single day. You might find that you want to alternate your routine on opposite days, or choose one or two days a week that you can reliably commit to. This is where experimentation comes in, to discover what works best for you.
When each day begins with the building blocks of success instead of failure, you will naturally feel more confident, more capable, and more in control of your life.
And you don’t have to do it alone! I’d love to help you strategize and build your perfect morning. Let’s talk.