
My life has recently been all about trying to fit as many different projects into one day as possible. Because of it I’ve felt extremely stressed and have sometimes been on the computer from sun up to sun down. I’ve realized that I have inflicted much of this stress on myself, and am focusing on a new way to create more balance, focus, as well as some quality time in solitude.
1. Make your new morning ritual more important than the rest of the day.
By focusing on creating the best morning that I can for myself, I am setting up my day for success. In order for me to love my mornings, going to bed early is critical so that I can feel well rested. No more late night movies and frequent evening outings. I will say that going to sleep early is one thing that I’m still working on since I am writing this much later than I had intended tonight for my midnight publishing. Regardless, this is still a work in progress and my husband says that 1% better daily is all that matters.
2. Get Enough Sleep and Don’t Ever Press Snooze
I prefer to get at least seven hours a sleep at night, so ideally I’m in bed by 10:30 or 11pm to be up at 6am, yet lately it’s been midnight and up at 7am instead. Although 7am isn’t my true goal, I will decrease the time weekly by 30 minutes until 5am is the new early. I also keep my alarm on the other side of my bedroom so that I have to get out of bed to turn it off. Pressing snooze never helps!
3. Create a sacred space for yourself so you have something to look forward to every morning.
A cup of tea in the morning always makes me feel amazing and so does some good music to create that perfect atmosphere. The morning time is so important to me so that I can spend the first few hours of every day on myself doing what I love. This includes drinking water along with my tea to hydrate me after a long sleep. I also love journaling, meditating, doing some exercise or yoga, and an hour of stretching makes my body feel open and completely ready for the day. Afterwards I can get to the work that needs to be done in a much more productive way.
When I can take care of myself in this nurturing way before business hours, dance classes, auditions, etc. I am better able to handle whatever the day will bring.
I find that I feel so much better and at peace when I make myself more important than cleaning my apartment, organizing, blogging, working on Azuha, or running errands. Yet lately writing first thing is becoming more ritual than work. Now everything is zen and who doesn’t want to feel zen?
I am finding that taking two hours in the morning to align myself and my day makes me feel centered and is extremely important for my own happiness. No matter how successful any of my projects are, if I’m down right exhausted or completely burnt out, how can I truly enjoy that prosperity?
I feel that every aspect of our lives should be joyous and filled with all of those things that make us feel good about ourselves and our surroundings. I think that the most important place for me to start is with myself. When I am truly happy and centered within myself, everything else falls into place.
What does your morning routine look like?
(Image by D Sharon Pruitt)
Tara says
I’m a morning person so I usually can’t sleep past 6. I always read something inspirational first thing but I never thought of it as a ritual until now. I think I’m going to add stretching to my mornings. I don’t like working out so don’t do it as often as I probably need to. Stretching seems like the next best thing. Thanks for writing this!
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Tara, I used to be a morning person, yet started working late or just staying up in the last few years. I am so much more productive now when I’m up early. Also stretching tones the muscles and creates energy flow in the body. I don’t feel as good when I skip it so I choose not to. It is almost necessary for the body’s longevity and health. Thanks for your comment!
Pamela Nicole says
Hello Dawn I have been contemplating on yoga, but have not really search it out and whats crazy about it is one of my writing teachers have been trying to get me to come to her 6am yoga class for about a year now. Any way love this article and know this is my confirmation to get up off my lazy…..lol thanks really love the site Pam
gasygirl04 says
This advice is so much needed in our busy and complicated lives. I love to do my morning ritual of reading Gods Word the Bible. What a positive and productive way to get the day started.
Dawn Michelle says
Hi gasygirl04,
I think it is so important for women especially to start the day in a centered enjoyable way. Our consistent multitasking deserves some sacred morning time for sure. I hope you are having an amazing weekend!
Best,
Dawn Michelle
Adria says
Hi Dawn, you reminded me that I need to take that quiet time when I first wake up to center myself.
I don’t know what my ritual will be yet, but I do know that jumping right into work like I usually do leaves me unbalanced. Thanks for the inspiration!
Adria
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Adria,
I have to keep reminding myself of this as well. It really helps when I consistently get up early and also go to sleep early. If not, I fall into jumping right into work too. Best wishes!
Hannah says
I’m so thankful I found this blog post! I am currently in the process of breaking some bad habits my partner and I are in – mainly, she mothers and serves me (while feeling resentful) while I lie in bed and feel shitty that she is mothering me and that I need mothering. I am going to take responsibility for my own half of the problem here, and work consistently on getting 1% better at my morning routine every day. THANK YOU.
Hannah
Dawn Michelle says
Hi Hannah,
Thanks for sharing! It is amazing to see the roles we play in situations and it is even more amazing when we make the choice to create a more empowering role for ourselves. Best wishes with everything!