I have always loved how real and non-performative you are, Shira, and this post illustrates that so well.
My one morning non-negotiable is a substantial protein-filled breakfast, eaten slowly while sitting down. It helps fuel my energy, regulate my blood sugar and nervous system, and center me for the day.
I only have a couple minutes in the morning before getting kids ready for school…so I drink a pint of water and I take my dog out and turn my face to the sun for five minutes. It’s a tiny thing but makes a huge difference! I also don’t check my phone until after school drop off and walking my dog. The longer I can put it off, the better!
I love the low bar, gentleness of this post! I tend to have super high expectations and then fail. So I love these suggestions. I can definitely drink a glass of water in the morning and read a few pages of something lovely that’s on my nightstand. Yes yes yes I can do that!
Love this approach; totally attainable. Listening to music for 5 minutes is usually a goal and writing in my Gratitude Journal, consistent skin care routine also ranks high!
Thanks for sharing. I love the idea of having a portfolio f good habits and asking yourself to pick a couple.
I have a morning habit stack that I now almost never miss. It started when I realized I was standing there each morning while my cats ate breakfast because if I didn't, the bigger cat would bully the littler, more skittish cat away from her dish, so she could eat more. So at some point I decided that instead of just standing there, I could do a morning stretch while standing there.
The second part of the stack involved putting my coffee machine out of reach and deciding that instead of making my one cup a day at home, if I wanted coffee (which I do) I would have to go on my morning walk to get it. So after the cats finish breakfast, I go for my morning walk, ending by picking up coffee at the coffee place close to home.
I do this pretty much seven days a week. The walk can range from 1 to 2.5 miles depending on how much time I have. It can start anywhere between 8AM to 11AM depending on whether I have calls scheduled. but it happens every single day :)
(I also now listen to audiobooks most of the time while on my walk, so that brings my reading habit into the stack too!)
With serious overnight (and daytime) joint and muscle pain, it is virtually impossible to motivate myself to start moving around first thing in the morning even though I know it helps to start loosening things up. It's just hard to do it when I first wake up in pain and I worry that it may even be harmful. Any suggestions?
I use a massage gun for my joint pain at night - specifically my arms and legs. Perhaps this could help you either at night or in the morning. I usually use mine while I watch tv at night and it helps alleviate night time pain. I keep it by my bed in case I wake up in pain and can use it. I also find yoga or stretching helps. I hope you find something that helps! I am so sorry you have to deal with this pain.
Thank you for this. I've seen morning routines that are so complicated, that I wonder about the day to day life of the person doing them. Not for me! The glass of water is easy as I have my thyroid medication first thing when I get up with a full cup of water. As I need 30-60 minutes (usually right on the 30 minute mark!) prior to consuming any coffee, I often have a cup of warm water while I wait. Two cups down easy peezy! If it's the weekend, I'll often sit outside with my coffee (depending on the time of the year) to help my circadian rhythm, tune into nature as I listen to the sounds of my neighborhood, and just have that calm time to sit and think.
You read my mind, I’d been feeling frustrated recently with not keeping up with my many mini routines, meditation daily, Spanish app , 10 minute ab challenge , reading etc this was so super helpful and helps me let go of these routine expectations
I bundle a few different supplements to each meal. I feel I’m winning somewhere.
Sleep is honestly seriously important.
I go to bed earlier when I can and rise earlier because the body heals and the liver and gallbladder regenerate between 10-2 at night.
Have committed to have veg soup every night/day ( I know y hate hot things)
DECLUTTERING- I want to live with just enough.
Yes to lip balm and handcream.
Low lights and night.
Uniform for coffee run.
And honestly the most important is after years of constant high stress I’m less needing constant friendship, less stimulation, less drama and advocating for myself daily. I also read 2 tiny Healing paragraphs. The Letting go app is great. Self care is my bible at the moment.
I was just going to add breakfast as a non negotiable! It's the one thing I can actually do for myself after making hub's lunch and getting kids their breakfast. Thank you for this post!
I have always loved how real and non-performative you are, Shira, and this post illustrates that so well.
My one morning non-negotiable is a substantial protein-filled breakfast, eaten slowly while sitting down. It helps fuel my energy, regulate my blood sugar and nervous system, and center me for the day.
Ooh the "eaten slowly while sitting down" part is key!! Thanks for sharing. xx
My chinese doc always told me chicken ( for my body). Yes protein. II do a gallon of skim milk and chicken when I can. And yes sitting down .
I only have a couple minutes in the morning before getting kids ready for school…so I drink a pint of water and I take my dog out and turn my face to the sun for five minutes. It’s a tiny thing but makes a huge difference! I also don’t check my phone until after school drop off and walking my dog. The longer I can put it off, the better!
Perfect! xx
I love the low bar, gentleness of this post! I tend to have super high expectations and then fail. So I love these suggestions. I can definitely drink a glass of water in the morning and read a few pages of something lovely that’s on my nightstand. Yes yes yes I can do that!
Yes you can!! xx
You said exactly what I was thinking. I am the only one I have any expectations from and they are high. This is ideal! Thank you!
So happy to hear xx
Love this approach; totally attainable. Listening to music for 5 minutes is usually a goal and writing in my Gratitude Journal, consistent skin care routine also ranks high!
Ooh yes, music is always a good thing :)
Thanks for sharing. I love the idea of having a portfolio f good habits and asking yourself to pick a couple.
I have a morning habit stack that I now almost never miss. It started when I realized I was standing there each morning while my cats ate breakfast because if I didn't, the bigger cat would bully the littler, more skittish cat away from her dish, so she could eat more. So at some point I decided that instead of just standing there, I could do a morning stretch while standing there.
The second part of the stack involved putting my coffee machine out of reach and deciding that instead of making my one cup a day at home, if I wanted coffee (which I do) I would have to go on my morning walk to get it. So after the cats finish breakfast, I go for my morning walk, ending by picking up coffee at the coffee place close to home.
I do this pretty much seven days a week. The walk can range from 1 to 2.5 miles depending on how much time I have. It can start anywhere between 8AM to 11AM depending on whether I have calls scheduled. but it happens every single day :)
(I also now listen to audiobooks most of the time while on my walk, so that brings my reading habit into the stack too!)
With serious overnight (and daytime) joint and muscle pain, it is virtually impossible to motivate myself to start moving around first thing in the morning even though I know it helps to start loosening things up. It's just hard to do it when I first wake up in pain and I worry that it may even be harmful. Any suggestions?
I use a massage gun for my joint pain at night - specifically my arms and legs. Perhaps this could help you either at night or in the morning. I usually use mine while I watch tv at night and it helps alleviate night time pain. I keep it by my bed in case I wake up in pain and can use it. I also find yoga or stretching helps. I hope you find something that helps! I am so sorry you have to deal with this pain.
Thank you for this. I've seen morning routines that are so complicated, that I wonder about the day to day life of the person doing them. Not for me! The glass of water is easy as I have my thyroid medication first thing when I get up with a full cup of water. As I need 30-60 minutes (usually right on the 30 minute mark!) prior to consuming any coffee, I often have a cup of warm water while I wait. Two cups down easy peezy! If it's the weekend, I'll often sit outside with my coffee (depending on the time of the year) to help my circadian rhythm, tune into nature as I listen to the sounds of my neighborhood, and just have that calm time to sit and think.
You read my mind, I’d been feeling frustrated recently with not keeping up with my many mini routines, meditation daily, Spanish app , 10 minute ab challenge , reading etc this was so super helpful and helps me let go of these routine expectations
This was so helpful! I especially love read something, write something!
I hydrate first thing.
Then am not so healthy🙄
I bundle a few different supplements to each meal. I feel I’m winning somewhere.
Sleep is honestly seriously important.
I go to bed earlier when I can and rise earlier because the body heals and the liver and gallbladder regenerate between 10-2 at night.
Have committed to have veg soup every night/day ( I know y hate hot things)
DECLUTTERING- I want to live with just enough.
Yes to lip balm and handcream.
Low lights and night.
Uniform for coffee run.
And honestly the most important is after years of constant high stress I’m less needing constant friendship, less stimulation, less drama and advocating for myself daily. I also read 2 tiny Healing paragraphs. The Letting go app is great. Self care is my bible at the moment.
I was just going to add breakfast as a non negotiable! It's the one thing I can actually do for myself after making hub's lunch and getting kids their breakfast. Thank you for this post!