I’m a BIG routine gal. I thrive off them. They give my life structure, are a necessity for whether life is busy or not, and honestly, just keep me sane.
Routines give you the power to decide how YOU want to start (or end) your day, prioritize what’s important, and hand craft a portion of the day that is dedicated solely to yourself. A rushed, hectic morning is a stressful recipe for disaster… and there’s NO TIME for that!
Before you begin crafting, ask yourself these questions… What makes me feel prepared and at ease? What motivates me for the day? What boosts my mood? What do I need to make time for to keep myself sane?
Set the Tone
Start the day on a positive + productive note
Never underestimate the power of a morning. Just like a good book, a great movie, you gotta have a strong start, or else what’s the motivation to continue?
Add little rituals into your routine that set you on a good path for the rest of the day. These can include:
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Listening to a podcast/music while getting ready
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Journaling
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Simply waking up early enough so that you’re not rushed
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Creating a to-do list for the day
The Calm Before the Storm
Take time to relax your mind before the day begins
We often get too caught up in the “hustle culture” we currently live in. Our lives get busy very quickly and suddenly we’re operating on autopilot until we eventually burn-out.
Burn-out is something you want to avoid at all costs because it’s very difficult to get that motivation and spark back, after being overworked.
That being said, instead of jumping right into the day’s tasks, take the extra time you carve out for yourself in the morning to just take it easy. Have a leisurely morning (whatever that looks like for you) and ease into the day instead of diving in full force.
Prepare – Mentally & Physically
Eliminate unnecessary stress
Growing up, my father always said, “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.”
Sure, he was mostly referring to studying for exams, but I think this can apply to pretty much anything in life.
Prepare as much as you can for the day, or even the week, ahead to eliminate any sweating of the small stuff. Prep your lunch for the next day, write out that to do list so all you need is a skim through in the morning, lay out your clothes for the next day, back your bag the night before, the list goes on… As much as you can do to feel as prepared as possible, and free up time to have that “leisurely” morning, will benefit you immensely and leave you feeling a lot less stressed.
Take Advantage of the TIME
Do the “little things”
Remember that this is YOUR time to fill with whatever is going to relax you, prepare you and motivate you for the day ahead. Don’t forget to treat yourself to what makes you happy. You deserve to incorporate those little things into your daily routine that make you smile.
For me, that’s my iced coffee in the morning, and making my bed first thing to have a clear mind and space to get ready in.
Whatever the “little things” are for you, DO THEM! Because they shouldn’t be forgotten.
Consistency is Key
Create healthy habits
Consistency goes hand-in-hand with reducing stress and being productive. Create healthy habits you do each morning that allow you to be as successful as possible. Wake up at the same time every morning, make your bed, have a healthy breakfast…
It takes 21 days to form a habit, and then it becomes a lifestyle. Create a lifestyle you LOVE and that gets you excited to wake up every morning and LIVE it!