Designing Routines to Bring Joy
Life feels like it can be passing us by with out any intention or purpose. When we reach the end of the day we feel like we cannot even remember what we did that day or what we enjoyed. When we are in the midst of just living it can feel so difficult to find a different way. There is a way to change that and by establishing a morning and evening routine you can begin to create change in your life!
The Typical Morning and Evening Routine
Creating a morning and an evening routine does not have to be difficult. I am guessing you might already have one, most of us do with out realizing it, it might be coffee, pack lunch, eat breakfast, brush teeth, leave for work. That right there is a morning routine. Your evening routine might look like this put the kids to bed, watch an hour a tv, brush teeth, go to bed and spend 30 minutes looking at your phone. That right there is an evening routine. The thing about these routines though is there is no intention or conscious thinking behind them. These routines probably do not leave you feeling ready for the day or prepared for bed.
Why You Need a Routine
Morning and evening routines that have been thought out and planned can make you feel taken care of because you are caring for yourself. Then as a byproduct these routines can help you care for those around you. And when you have established basic routines it easier to implement new changes because you can anchor it to something you are already doing. When you have a basic routine you also have something to fall back on when life gets hectic or crazy.
How To Design Your Ritual
To Start Ask Yourself
- What brings me joy?
- What brings me energy?
- What helps me feel ready for bed?
- What helps me feel prepared for the day?
- What simple thing can I do at night to feel taken care of in the morning (eg set out clothes, pack lunch, prepare coffee)?
- If everything else around me feel like it is chaos what brings me calm?
- What do I need throughout the day (eg lunch, workout clothes, etc)?
Design Your Basic Nigh time Routine
- Get Coffee Ready for the Next Morning,
- Skincare Routine
- Brushing Your Teeth
- Set out clothes for the morning
Your Basic Morning Routine
- Push Button on Coffee Machine
- Get a Glass of Water
- Prayer or Mediation
- Gratitude Journal
- Skincare Routine
- Get Dressed
Back To the Basics
These super basic routines are where you can return when life feels like it is too much or you are in a season of high stress. You have the thought of why you do them you give them your attention and your presence. These basic rituals are also what you can add to when you assess a new change you want to make such as adding exercise in the morning.
When your routine is thought out and has meaning not just action that is when you find joy. When you have a basic routine in place you can take care of yourself no matter the season you are in.