Yesterday, in my first post of this 1,000 blog challenge, I mentioned my new morning routine. I'm heading toward a pretty big change in my life - radically shifting my work schedule and focus (more on that later) and one thing that my coach, Carolyn, recommended was setting up new routines for myself, and particularly one that focused on meditation. She feels it is important to get myself into the right headspace to tackle a new challenge, and she's not wrong.
Following her advice, I've done a lot of thinking about how to organize my mornings so that I get a good start on the day, check a few things off my list and hit the ground running. (Not literally running. I don't run unless I'm being chased, and even then, only if I think I can get away. Which is basically never.)
So far, this is what I've come up with for my mornings:
- Wake up at 6 a.m.
- Lie in bed for a few minutes, focusing on gratitude for the day ahead.
- Throw on workout clothes and hop on my stationary bike for a very quick HIIT workout.
- 15 minutes in a stretching routine focusing on my hips and back.
- 10 minutes of meditation, either on my own (HARD) or using the 10% Happier app.
- Shower and start the day.
I've started doing this routine on the two days a week I work from home, thinking that if I can get in the swing of it, I'll expand it to my work-in-the-office days next, because I have to get up earlier on those days. Real clothes and makeup take TIME.
I won't say it has been life-changing, but I will say that it gives me incredible momentum for my days. Doing this routine instead of meandering around, checking my email and puttering in the morning gives me clearer focus and checking "exercise and stretching" off my to-do list before I even walk downstairs is a great feeling.
If anyone else has any suggestions for what helps them in their morning routine, I'd love to hear them!