I am a fan of Yoga! Love it. I am a better human because I practice it. I also have disliked how exercise made me feel for years, but with Yoga, I feel accepted just as I am. This has taught me to accept myself just as I am, today, without worrying about how I used to look or about my future appearance. There is only today, only my breath. I attribute my attitude adjustment to discovering “Yoga With Adrienne”, the YouTube phenomenon, through a Pinterest board about making a morning routine. Check out Life Coach LA IVANA blog that inspired my morning routine here.
The suggestion was to take up a small practice that would be easy to accomplish every day until it became a habit. I started with “5 Minute Morning Yoga – Yoga with Adrienne”. I loved the way I felt by just stretching before my day but what I loved, even more, was how Adrienne spoke to me. She was saying such positive things about me, and I realized that I hadn’t spoken to myself like that in a very long time. It was heart work, and I did it for the next couple of months until I began to believe the words and want even more. Slowly I started watching longer free yoga videos from Adrienne until I found out that she puts out a monthly calendar of daily yoga routines. (Can you tell I’m a fan?)
So then, it is serendipitous that the day I write my first blog for My Soul Purpose Journey I fight back tears in my eyes as the month’s yoga calendar brought me right back to the beginning. For the first time in a couple of years, I again was listening to Adrienne lead the “5 Minute Morning Yoga” smiling at the timing and humor of the Universe and how of all days I am reminded of the beauty of new beginnings, of starts, resets, and do-overs. The joy and comfort in knowing that today is a new day and I want to be a part of it. Below you will find my tips for creating a morning routine for yourself. You don’t have to get up 2 hours early (unless you want to), just carve out enough time that you set yourself up for success – try it for 66 days until you make it a habit (at the time of this writing, according to James Clear, author of Atomic Habits and the study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it takes on average 66 days to form a new habit). Do what you can, as you can, and remember that you are more than enough just as you are.
- Just Say NO to the “Snooze” – This was a big one for me in the past. I dreaded the alarm – I would set it “too early” just so that I could hit the snooze. It was doing me no favors and somehow made me grumpier so now, I set it for exactly when I want to get up, and when it goes off, my feet hit the floor. Place your alarm/phone on your dresser, or on the far side of the bed if you still find it too tempting to hit that snooze. Even blurry eyed and out of it, it is still my habit to get up, quickly make the bed, and head straight to the kitchen for my green drink and coffee.
- Sounds of Silence – If you can’t be up before anyone else and have some quiet time then my next tip would be to go straight to this step before you go get your Cup-O-Joe or tea. And, if you do stay in your room, make sure it is in a chair or somewhere you will not be tempted to fall over for a nap. I have a favorite side of the couch with just the right cushions and lighting where I like to come first thing. Think about where your morning oasis could be and stake your claim to it. Our minds need a moment to settle. Waking up and sitting for even a brief period with no phone, no TV on, and no one coming at you, allows you to see what thoughts come up from your night. What does my mind or body need to tell me today? Then, quick get to step 3!
- Pen and Paper – The term journal can sometimes make us think of someone in a box window seat, rain pattering on the windowpane, and a fancy lady writing her deepest desires in cursive. NOT! I say, all you need is a note pad, pen, and a few minutes to get down on paper what is in your head. Sometimes it may be a dream, sometimes I wake up inspired with a meme or blog idea, sometimes I am thinking of a to do list, or I wake up remembering that I forgot something the day before. One of the very best things you can do is starting writing what you are thankful for. Being grateful creates a habit of seeking out the good in your life! Get it out, get it on paper, so you can let it go!
Taking time to write things down depends on the time frame you have given yourself for your morning routine: it could be just enough to take away the stress of trying to remember things, or it could be time to write out an entire essay. As you morning routine evolves you may come to love this time and may even find yourself journaling your deepest feelings and hopes. Just remember, this routine needs to be doable for you, so you choose what works best! (And if you happen to have a box window seat then be fancy!)
- Set an Intention – This is one of my favorite things to do and something that I love to create on my own each morning. This is a positive statement of your future day. One of my earliest affirmations and still one I return to again and again is, “I am enough”. You can choose something like, “today will be a great day,” or “I will speak to others the way I would like to be spoken to”, choose something that resonates with you. Repeat the affirmation to yourself throughout the day, write it on a sticky note and put it on your computer at work, your mirror, or your fridge. Put it somewhere you see it all the time and say it until you can say it with belief. Be easy on yourself, we are generally trained to be self-deprecating, so if it is uncomfortable at first, just sit with that feeling. Maybe ask yourself why the thought of being enough makes you feel a certain way. You can also listen to an uplifting quick podcast, meditate, or pray, or close your eyes and visualize your day going exactly how you desire it to go. Here are a few of my favorites you may enjoy:
- Get on the mat – This one that may be hard at first, especially if you are allergic to exercise like I claim to be. But Yoga has truly transformed my mindset and I now can say that I love my body for all the amazing ways it takes care of me. Below I share the same YouTube video of Adrienne’s that I practiced every morning for those first two months of my morning ritual, and still have it memorized. You can start here too if you like, or take your dog for a walk, jump on your Peleton or whatever gets you moving. Challenge yourself to believe that you and your precious body are worth at least 5 minutes a day. I know you can do it!
Manifest that Sh*t: While it is great to do this while meditating, if you are super busy you can do this while you get ready, take your shower, or on your drive to work. This is all done in your Mind’s eye. Envision the life you want. See yourself where you want to be in the next 6 months, one year, 5 years and more. Are you living your purpose? Picture yourself where you want to be, don’t stress over how it is going to happen, for now just start by seeing where you want to be – envisioning it now – and start creating the energetic space for it to be created! (If you don’t know how – I can coach you!) It’s difficult for things to be brought to us if we never ask or are confused on what we want, so start manifesting the life you want!
BONUS If you are not in a huge rush or give yourself even more time then add reading to your list, especially books that help you on your journey. Start by reading one page or one chapter, all that matters is you start and do it daily. Here is what I am reading now:
The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz
Loving What Is by Byron Katie (WOW, what a book!)
Coyote Medicine by Lewis Mehl-Madrona, MD
HINT: Prepping the night before can allow your mind to focus on your routine and not your to-do’s. Prep your breakfast or lunches, layout your clothes, have the work bag ready by the door along with any kids back backs or whatever else is needed. This way, you are less tempted to shortchange yourself and skip out on one of the amazing parts of your routine.
I wish you best and blessed mornings! Let me know how you like it below or what modifications or additions you have made to create your morning routine. I would love to hear from you! And please, subscribe to my newsletter where I give more tips and can keep you updated on events.