Building a morning routine is an imperative part of owning your womanhood. Maybe you already have a small routine or maybe you don’t really get into the whole structured morning ritual thing. No matter what, the repeat patterns that you do every day become your morning routine, so you might as well embrace it. Take the reins here, let your morning routine work for you, and allow it to enhance the quality of your day.
The morning is such a pivotal time. It is the time when you get to set the tone for your whole day. Without getting your mindset right, it can change the course of your day for better or for worse. So the challenge is identifying what you do now that works for you, and what you would like to add or remove from the most peaceful time of day. The best part of it all is that you don’t even have to be a morning person. When you hear the words “morning routine” what comes to mind?
Morning routines have structure, but within that structure there is freedom. A solid morning routine should have a flow to it that is ideal for you. Think of a truly ideal morning. There is nothing causing you to rush, you don’t have anything that requires immediate attention, so how would your morning unfold? Not all morning routines are alike, and you might even have different routines on different days. That is the beauty of it. A morning routine allows for freedom, because it can mold into what you need it to be each day.
Morning routines have flexibility. They are adaptable. This is important, because if you get fixed on the idea that your routine has to go perfectly as planned, then chances are you will wind up more frustrated than ready to conquer the day. Sometimes routines get interrupted, cut short, rushed, or even skipped. When you allow there to be flexibility in your morning, you reduce the risk of letting yourself down by not getting it all accomplished. There should be a few key elements that are non-negotiable, but the rest should have the ability to ebb and flow.
Morning routines should leave you feeling recharged and ready to go. This kind of routine should not be draining. It should be something that gives you a sense of pride, because you know that you already did something good for yourself that day. Your morning routine is something that you can fall back on to get your mindset right for the day. Perhaps one of the most important qualities in your morning routine is the time that you have for yourself. It could be during your workout, in the shower, having coffee, reading, writing, cooking breakfast for the family, but whatever it is, there should be a glimpse of time where you can simply reflect and have a moment with yourself.
Making time for yourself is a challenge in and of itself, but it is absolutely something that every woman needs to be able to do. Part of the catch with a morning routine is that sometimes it means getting up earlier. It might be ten minutes, and it might be a whole hour, but whatever extra time you need helps to create the environment for a healthy morning routine. Remember, this should not be rushed. The point is to help you start your day off on the right foot! So making more time in the morning might work for you, but if it doesn’t, that is okay too.
Morning routines do not have to be long either. They can range from ten minutes to an hour or more, but the point is that you are doing similar tasks each day that help push you toward being the woman who you want to be. Is there something you have always wanted to do? Is there something you wish you had the time for? Morning routines can include: reading, writing, journaling, studying, spending time with God, praying, meditating, yoga, working out, the list truly goes on. It is not a one size fits all, so when considering your routine, fill the first part of your day with the activity or task that energizes you.
Morning routines do not have to be complicated. When structuring your routine, be sure to not overload it with too many tasks. The simple things go a long way. For example, start your day with water before coffee. Start your day with not being on your phone for at least the first two hours (yes, this means no social media scrolling). This might be a difficult task, but give it a try and see how it changes your perspective for the day. What you do with your morning matters. The things that you fill your mind with first thing matter.
So whether you have a solid morning routine already or not, consider revamping your morning to make sure that it is optimal for you. Is your morning routine helping you create the life that you want for yourself? Morning routines are not long, complicated or too rigid. They are flexible, individualized, and help you to be your best self. The bottom line is this: don’t miss out on the power of the morning routine. The way you start each and every day helps build the momentum for living a healthy lifestyle. Morning’s don’t have to be dreadful but rather be something that you look forward to, and it all starts with a solid routine.