How to Create a Solid Morning (and Evening!) Routine
Y’all, I am not about to preach in this blog post. I am not about the “shoulds”; I simply don’t believe that there are absolute steps in the world that you have to take to feel fulfilled and successful. There are many ways and many paths to achieve your personal goals.
However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share this lesson that has been helpful to me in the past few weeks–waking up early and enjoying a morning (and evening!) routine has been so valuable to me!
I’ve found myself very stressed the past few weeks–on top of strained family relationships, a bout of covid has left me isolated and struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy. I have felt restless, lonely and a little out of sorts. I have needed more rest than usual. I have been unable to engage in social interactions. I’ve been a mess!
I started realizing that, perhaps, my cortisol level has been sky high; I’ve been stuck in a fight or flight response for an extended period of time, possibly years. I won’t bore you with a run down of my traumas, but trust and believe that they are there!
I ran across a somatic workout program for cortisol release on Tik Tok of all places. I bought it. I dedicated myself to doing this program for 30 days. Every single day for a month. This began my evening routine. I committed to this somatic exercise program with habit stacking.
Habit stacking is a method of instilling a new habit by stacking the new behavior on top of a behavior that you already do everyday. I already had a nightly routine of mouthwash and brushing my teeth, so, I stacked this cortisol release program immediately after this oral hygiene routine. I stayed committed.
This evening routine has been life changing. My evenings are more intentional, I am relaxed and purposeful, and I sleep better!
This has allowed me to wake up earlier and incorporate a new morning routine, as well. I am now able to practice 30 minutes of yoga each weekday morning, along with plotting out my day in my planner with intention. It has all worked together!
Following an evening and a morning routine has helped my life become more intentional and peaceful. With the help of habit stacking, I was able to start a trauma and cortisol somatic exercise program that is likely to have lasting benefits. I am excited to see!
I am still healing from covid, but I am feeling hopeful and full of potential. These evening and morning routines, as an act of self-love and self-care have been priceless.
Steps you can take to build a solid evening/morning routine might include:
- Stack your habits! If you want to incorporate a new evening habit, introduce the new behavior alongside a behavior that you are already committed to.
- Prioritize your new routine. We can always find the time for what we truly want to do, be it self-care or learning a new skill. We just have to have our priorities straight. What might you have to give up to find time for a new routine? Scrolling on your phone? Nightly television? What task can you realistically delegate to someone else? There is always a solution for what you prioritize.
- Give yourself grace. Celebrate progress, not necessarily perfection. An evening or morning routine is supposed to enhance your sense of wellbeing, not make you feel enslaved. You missed a day or two? Forgive yourself and get back on track. You may be still figuring out what’s right for you. Don’t forget–you can always adjust and/or change your mind.
It’s been an interesting season of growth, but I am still doing swimmingly well! I hope we all find the peace we are looking for!
With love,
Joy
