If anything that has the biggest impact on how I feel daily, it’s how I start my day. If I stay up too late, because for some weird reason as a mom, that feels like freedom? Or if I feel foggy about what I want to get done that day or get off on the wrong foot, it sets the tone for the day. But if I get up early and make time for some quiet space for myself. I can think with clarity and the tone of my day is positive. That’s why I started a morning routine.
I know that I do really well with structure. It is a gift to have a plan and a quiet and peaceful start to my day. That’s why a morning routine makes sense for me. Maybe you are the same? Having a morning routine, I know I am doing things that I have intentionally chosen that are important to me. I’ve made a thoughtful plan about what practices matter. Even if it’s just a short time, I’m taking small steps towards things that matter to me and make me feel good.
It doesn’t take much, even 30 minutes, can have a big impact. It does however take time to think deeply about what matters to you. So take some time to create your plan and write it down. What do you want to make time for? What practices will impact you in a positive way? When you start to think about where you want to go, then you can figure out how to get there.
My routine:
- Brush my teeth + floss: This is a little thing. I don’t know who is with me here. I became terrible at flossing my teeth since I became a mom. Self care on all levels plummets. So this is one thing I purposely built into my routine so I take care of myself
- Take vitamins: Here is another thing I completely fail to do if it’s not first thing in the morning. Another self care item that falls to the wayside when caring for a toddler. But I find I feel so much more energetic when taking them.
- Drink a litre of water: I do this from when I wake up to the end of my routine. Before I finish I drink the water.
- Meditation or heart practice: This allows me to feel grounded and start the day from a place of presence and intention. I like this app, simple and free.
- Thinking about my thinking: The more I reflect, the more aware I become of myself. This is a time I take to notice thoughts I have, evaluate and then work on changing the ones that don’t help me.
- Work on this blog: I am the most productive in the morning and get into a better flow when it is quiet and calm AKA before a toddler is awake. Also I work full time so this is peak work time for me.
- Gratitude list: This has been a practice I have used for about 10 years. It is so simple and so powerful. It can literally rewire your brain. When I neglect this, I always notice.
- Check in with my budget: This helps me not overspend or if I do, move money from one budget category to another. I have tried a number of apps but truthfully do best with paper and pen. YNAB and Mint are both highly rated and great apps if that is more your mode.
- Journal: This isn’t hard and fast on this list but I included it because it’s a good one. Maybe this is an evening thing for you (it most often is for me). It’s great to just dump your brain down on a page.
How I made my routine
What’s included in your routine might be really different depending on what you want for you. You can see why I made the choices I did. What makes it easier to decide what you want to do consistently is to figure out what the goal of the routine is. I love this list of ideas.
- Do you just want some peaceful time alone? Then include meditation and maybe read a book or go for a walk.
- Are you trying to find time to work on something that matters to you? Then figure out what your goal is and work a little bit each day.
- Are you trying to get some clarity about yourself? Include journalling and a heart practice, see what your thoughts are.
- Time for self care? Exercise, do a face mask or take time to feel organized and lower your stress level.
- Want to be more active? Work out or do some yoga. I love Yoga with Adriene, tons of choice and it’s free!
In general, whatever your goal is, meditation or some kind of mindful practice I think is important for everyone. Being present and mindful has a ripple effect. Otherwise, the world’s your oyster! And it’s okay if you skip a day, you aren’t a robot. What will you include in your morning routine?
