I’ve been working hard to make small changes to my daily life. As someone who’s constantly trying to boil the ocean, this is a big deal.
Since I embraced the idea that small habits add up to big changes, I’ve been fascinated by making simple changes to my daily routine: drinking lemon water first thing in the morning, planning my meals, and writing in a journal for 10 minutes before I wake up and do anything else.
Through this process, I realized that what we are avoiding is probably what we need most.
I feel like I’m taking time away from the big picture by focusing on these little things. But the time I spent thinking about my big goals for the future (instead of writing this on Sunday night) was when I was critiquing how I’ve been as a leader, as a mother, as a wife, as a woman. When I let my big plan take center stage and don’t think about the small, direct things I can do to take care of myself and my family, it’s only doing me a disservice. When I do that, I’m on trial before my inner critic, the judge, and the jury.
Thinking about the little things is the opposite of boiling the ocean. It is anticipating what is right in front of you, such as what you are going to eat in the morning or what you are going to wear in the morning.
Taking stock of the little things is the opposite of boiling the ocean. It’s anticipating what’s right in front of you. . .
Now that implementing small, incremental habits has become my central goal, I’ve changed my entire perspective on how I spend my mornings.
5 Little Morning Routines I Swear By
1. Visualize what you want for today.
If you’re like me, you may not realize that you’re acting spontaneously 90% of the time. I wake up and let the brightest email or metaphorical fire dictate what’s my top priority. When we don’t connect with ourselves and express what kind of day we need, problems arise. Not only is it impossible to handle all the tasks that require our attention, but it also makes it difficult to find time for self-care and family.
2. Practice focusing on the present and being aware of the present moment.
You can do this while meditating or while making breakfast. The point is to observe yourself and note the small details around you. This practice helps me connect with myself and appreciate all the things I often take for granted.
3. Write morning pages.
Morning pages are essentially long journal entries of thoughts written in a stream of consciousness. There is no wrong way to do it, and only you can see it. I like this practice as a way to eliminate negative thoughts about things that could go wrong during the day. It helps you acknowledge negative thoughts, but it doesn’t give you the power to control the rest of your day.
4. Speak positively about yourself.
Self-verification has been achieved. Scientifically proven to workThis is especially true for those who are working toward a focused vision of the future. Saying positive words out loud can help start your day on the right track, aligning your motivation with your purpose and preparing you to tackle any challenges that might get in the way of your progress.
5. Leave a photo record.
Taking photos is another way to connect with the present moment before you start your day. You can use an app or create an album on your phone to collect images every day. It can be a selfie, or a view from your front door while you are drinking coffee. It doesn’t have to be perfect or edited in any way. It can be the easiest kind of journal that you can look back on years later and enjoy. After all, even the little moments matter.
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is Testing the limits of her creativity. Follow her on Instagram @withanddellight_.
