Do you feel you need to change something? Do you feel sluggish and lacking any inspiration, motivation or joy? For me, morning time is essential. My Morning Routine – How It’s Important For My Positive Mindset, here’s some thoughts I’d like to share with you.
The Reality Behind My Morning Routine
Last week was’nt a good week. I was down. Very down. I had people around me, I had things to do – run errands, work on my business, spend time with family…but I couldn’t shift past my grief. It came up and would’nt leave.
What I’ve found is that grief can take hold no matter where I am – even in a room full of people and distractions. Last week I felt like I would turn into an emotional mess at any given moment. It knocked my confidence, making me anxious that no matter where I was – it could flare up and take hold…leaving me crying all day.
I’m aware that what you need to do is let emotions come…
But what if you are to give a presentation to colleagues – or record a podcast – or need to do something else that takes your time away from grieving. Surely that will distract you enough not to grieve?
No not all the time…
I found I couldn’t stop the grief, and if I put a lid on it, it would spill out no matter what.
Over the last few weeks, I had realised that I let my good routines fall apart. I felt fine though – I enjoyed catching up with people, drinking wine, going to bed later than usual.
I didn’t really notice until my mind and soul were screaming at me to give them priority again.
Good Habits Can Be Ignored
It’s difficult to keep good habits and routines up. I get it – sometimes other things crop up. For me, I need to look after a toddler, and I am in-between homes which has been a stress.
Even so, I know what I need to place higher above some other things.
If like me, you sense that something inside you needs to be nurtured, then listen to it. I did and for the past week I have prioritised my morning routine, and feel a lot less anxious.
I’m giving you a snapshot into my daily morning routine, to show you that it is manageable. It has a positive effect on me as well as the people around me.
The below steps may seem like a lot, but it’s not at-all! I get these done within 20 minutes. In essence it’s 4 practises I do, the longest being meditation which is 10 minutes.
Anyway, these steps are short and simple and I hope they inspire you:
My Morning Routine
How It’s Important For My Positive Mindset
- 6.30am: Wake up. I creep past my toddlers bedroom like a ninja.
- Go to the kitchen and get a glass of water. Everyone needs hydration after a good nights’ sleep.
- I make myself comfortable in our living room, drink some water and wrap up in my cosy cardigan.
- Do Meditation. I use a meditation video from YouTube (You can find my favourite Meditations here). Lying on the couch with headphones on, I meditate for about 10 minutes
- I listen to the birds or piano music and take a few minutes to enjoy the moment.
- I write 3 things I’m grateful for in my journal.
- Listen to affirmations. I recorded these for myself – this takes about 30 seconds to listen to. I wrote down 4 affirmations I feel empowered by and recorded these on my Iphone voice memos. Recording these and listening to them is effective as I didn’t need to do that tedious thing of writing them out every day & sticking them all over the house.
- Do some yoga stretches – focusing on: downward facing dog, sunflower, and child’s pose. These are simple, quick and get the blood flowing.
By that time, my toddler will likely be awake. I make the yoga as a bonus, usually I can’t get all the above done and it’s yoga that falls from the list. But I don’t give myself a hard time about this, I actually congratulate myself for getting up early and dedicating time to my own improvement.
Helpful tips on waking early
I find that waking up early is so much easier when I know I’m going to lie down and relax! I recommend having a meditation already selected, and when you wake, you go straight into it. You can even do it from your bed. I have done this, in the times that I just can’t get up because I’m exhausted or worried I’ll wake up the whole house! But I do recommend you get up and go to another room. The vibe and atmosphere is different and it’s a way of telling yourself – This is now ‘me time’.
Follow Your Own Intuition
Morning routines might not be for everyone. But if you feel exhausted, anxious, lacking direction, stressed…(oh lordy the list can go on)..if there is a part of you that’s curious about making time in the mornings – do it! Make the process as easy as possible. Lay out what you need, so when you wake up in the morning, everything is ready and waiting for you to start. Work at your pace. Maybe you prefer just to listen to the silence and write gratitude. That’s great! At least you are taking a step, you are making time for yourself.
By making this time you will see positive effects on your mindset. Good luck!
Your Turn
Do you have a morning routine? Have you found sticking to a certain habit has helped your mindset?
If you enjoyed this, have a look at my previous posts such as – letting go of my old self to embrace who i am now
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