I was recently laid off from my job and it sort of turned my world upside down. But one thing I knew I couldn’t let go of was my morning routine. However, it certainly needed an adjustment. One that would help me continue to move forward and cope with the changes and fear that I was now feeling.
My morning routine is so much more than a workout and meditation session. It grounds me, gives me time for myself, and prepares me for the day ahead. It is a time when I feel completely at ease. And I’m content that I give myself this precious time to cater to my mind and body.
I feel like I connect with my being in a way that I don’t experience throughout the rest of the day. I let my mind and heart be open and vulnerable as I analyze thoughts and feelings. During the rest of the day, there are so many inputs and demands for my focus to be on. I usually focus on work and others which doesn’t allow for mental freedom and clarity.
If you’d like to see the original morning routine that I posted as a sample for others to follow, check it out here!
What I Considered When Adjusting My Morning Routine
The day after I was laid off I went through my usual morning routine but didn’t feel as connected as I usually do. Of course, this was in part to the shock and change that I was experiencing in my life. But I also felt that I needed to focus on something else for myself.
I needed to get all of my mental ducks in a row. So the next day, instead of completing my typical routine, I decided to take time and write out my thoughts, feelings, and what I needed from myself during this time.
I knew the more open and honest I was with myself the more I would gain from this exercise. My notebook was filled with random words, complete sentences crossed out as I change my mind, and some doodles when I was stuck in an uncomfortable or sad moment.
But in the end, it worked. My biggest takeaway was that I needed to mentally meet myself where I currently was. The shift in my life meant that I needed to reevaluate what’s important to me, the direction I want my life to go in, and how I am going to get there.
So as it applies to my morning routine, I needed to find activities that would support this time of uncertainty. I decided to add a block of future self journaling permanently to my morning routine. I practiced future self journaling from time to time but not regularly. Now I do it every day through this transition I am currently in.
I also added a walk at the park that is down the street from me. When I am walking in nature I find that my mind clears and I find positivity in even the hardest of times. This wouldn’t take the place of my morning workout, instead, it would be in addition to it. It isn’t necessarily a walk for fitness but more for mental clarity. And I really need a dose of just that!
Finally, I extended my morning routine, since I now have more time, to add in time for deeper and longer meditations, more robust breakfast preparations, and additional moments of gratitude. I always find time for gratitude, but now I have a set time after I eat to spend time focusing on what I am thankful for.
What You Can Evaluate As You Adjust and/or Build Your Morning Routine
I have spent a lot of time honing my morning routine. And I’m now very in tune with who I am and what I need. That just naturally comes with practice.
So, as you start to evaluate what you need to get out of your morning routine, the more open and honest you can be with yourself the more you’ll gain from the exercise.
First, find time to sit and be quiet with yourself. Give yourself time to let your mind wander and pay attention to where it takes you. Analyze your thoughts and what you’re trying to tell yourself.
When you think of what you need or want in your life, consider how you can give that to yourself. You’ll most likely be trying to fill a void or give yourself direction. If you’re searching for more creativity, maybe you add a block of time to your morning routine for drawing, music, or whatever it is that gets your juices flowing.
Maybe you want to change certain habits that you have during the day, give yourself a chunk of time during your morning routine to research the changes you’ld like to make and review how to implement them throughout the day. The action doesn’t always have to be part of your morning routine, it may just be that you’re preparing yourself for bettering other parts of your day.
When I chose to focus more on healthy eating, I spent time during my morning routine reviewing new recipes and creating shopping lists. My busy day didn’t allow for me to take time to do that. Instead, I did it during the morning and prepared myself to implement it during the day.
Why I Continue with My Routine Even When I Don’t Need To
I often get asked why I maintain a morning routine even though I’m not working. I get asked this because I have the entire day to do what I want. My first thought to that is it took me so long to perfect my morning routine that I don’t want to give it up. If I do, then at some point in the future have to start from scratch again.
It’s also one of my favorite parts of my day, so I want to keep it because I love it so much. Granted, right now, my entire day is filled with me and what I want to be doing, but it is so meaningful to be able to rely on my morning routine as I have in years past. The consistency and routineness of it are a comfort to me.
I also think that I find myself during my routine every day. And I don’t want to give that up. During my morning I’m intentionally focused inward. I don’t maintain that throughout my entire day. And I don’t want to. So I take that time to appreciate the inward view I find so necessary to remain connected with myself.
What adjustments have you made to your morning routine? Tell me below in the comments!
Here are some additional links to help you as you create or make changes to your morning routine:
How to Create Your Perfect Morning Routine
How to Create a Simple Evening Routine and Why You Need One
Future Self Journal Prompts – Visualize Your Best Future Today
Is It Time to Level Up Your Future Self Journal? Try These 7 Tips