We all want to put structure into our lives but not all of us know where to start. I hate having a scheduled out day and trying to live my life down to the hour- I am never able to stick to it. I wanted some form of structure in my life, so I started with a morning routine.
I’m not talking about “At 5:30am, I jump out of bed and do jumping jacks. At 5:34am I brush my teeth.” NOTHING like that. I’m talking about whenever I wake up, I read my daily devotional/message book, do my gratitude list, journal, and go over what I need to get done each day. That is WAY more manageable for me so I don’t feel like I’m not living up to my potential because I didn’t brush my teeth at 5:34am this morning. (It was more like 5:58am).
I also want to add that my morning routine may not work for everyone and everyone should find something that works for them. My routine can take as little as 5 minutes, up to 30 minutes depending on the day, how distracted I am, how much I write, etc.
Step 1- Devotional
I’m low key religious/spiritual. I am a ‘Christian’ but I was raised in a very ‘new age’ household where my mom was obsessed with star signs, crystals, ‘Wiccan’ holidays, you get it. We celebrated the eclipses, planned around Mercury Retrograde, and had gargoyles around the house to protect. Seems super weird I’m sure, but to me it is my normal. I believe in all of it and that there is God who has a higher plan. That being said, every day I read the entry for the day from Jesus Calling which is a daily devotional. If you aren’t Christian or religious, I suggest you look for books like “You Are A Badass Everyday” by Jen Sincero and just read an entry a day to start your day. Some people like reading a section from their religious text, whatever it may be, read something that lifts your soul up every morning. If you want to read a chapter from the book you are reading, do it. Just read!
Step 2- Gratitude List
Something I have realized is so many people are stuck up on what they don’t have and it is the whole focus of their life. “I don’t have a significant other. I don’t have the latest phone. I don’t have as big a yard as my neighbor. I don’t have $100 in my bank account.” And? So what you don’t have those things, what DO you have that makes your day better or happy or anything other than jealousy? It doesn’t have to be HUGE. Today I am thankful for a job placement in Seattle, the ocean, and happy kids. It doesn’t need to be physical things, it can be as simple as “I’m thankful for the sunshine today.”
Just focus on growing that attitude of gratitude so that all the things you DO want flow in to your life.
Step 3- Journal
Do you know how many times I have tried and failed at keeping a journal? I wanted to be a Judy Bloom character so bad y’all. But it wasn’t meant to be. When I say journal here, I am talking about writing out how things went yesterday- good or bad, what you need to get done today and the attitude you have heading in to it all, and then a few affirmations to kick off the day. Exhibit A, the general idea of my journal today:
Yesterday was an easy going day. I didn’t get done everything I wanted to get done BUT I made a few deliveries, checked in with some people, and got the mid-month newsletter out. It was a good day that ended in good food and much needed rest.
Today I am temping in Seattle and the new bags release! I’m a bit nervous as I won’t be hands on for this launch like I normally am to help my team, but they will get through it because I am building competent leaders and business owners. Tonight I will be doing a training on how to show off the bags and maximize sales this week.
This week is going to be a great week with a ton of sales, new connections, and so much more. I’m ready to rock today!
Abundance fills all areas in my life.
I get all of my work done easily and effortlessly.
I am calm and my body is calm.
SUPER SIMPLE! Sometimes my journal talks about the things I am struggling with because getting it out there can help with the stress of it. But it is usually like this focusing on the things I accomplished and what I plan to accomplish.
Step 4- Go Over My Schedule
To properly be able to conquer the day, I need to know what I have coming up and what I need to accomplish. Today’s is pretty simple:
5am Get up and get ready for temp position
6:30am Wake up the kids and their dad so they can drive me in to the city
7am Drive in to Seattle
8am-5pm Work Temp Job
5-6:30pm Take the bus home
6:30pm Eat dinner, love on kids, unwind for 5 minutes
7pm Team call
7:45pm Relax, unwind, see who needs me. Prep for the kids end of year parties tomorrow
9:30pm Go To Bed
Knowing that I need to get all these things done helps me prepare better mentally for the day so that it isn’t suddenly at 8pm tonight I remember we have to go to the kids end of year parties tomorrow and that I need to get teacher gifts in the morning and AHHHHH!!! Instead I know that I need to write them all thank you cards tonight and find a little thank you to give them all and my mental preparation is WAY better!
This is my morning routine. Some people have exercise mixed in with theirs, others meditate, some put more time in to their affirmations. It all depends on what works for YOU! Spend some time trying out things. And yes, I do wake up earlier in the day to get these done but my day ALWAYS starts off better because this routine is a form of self care