Want to know which two routines have changed how I work in 2013, for the better?
The Morning Routine
Each morning I have a checklist of five things I must do without fail before I start anything else. Each item of the list is either something I love, or do something that sets me up for a great day. This is not something you do for others (unless it makes you happy).
Currently, my list is (in no particular order):
- Make my bed
- Sit down for a couple of minutes with a cup of tea or a glass of water
- Catch up on blogs and vlogs
- Plan my meals for the day
- Meditate using the Calm app.
Sometimes, I multitask some of these tasks (for example, I often catch up on vlogs and blogs while putting my make up on for work, and I check Pocket and plan meals from bed before I get up).
The benefits of the morning routine
- I feel more positive, having started the day with enjoyable things
- I feel more productive – I’ve already ticked five things off the list
- I feel more successful – starting off the day with health habits makes it easier to stick to them
The Evening Routine
While the morning is all about starting off the day right, the evening routine is all about relaxing and setting up for a good start the next day. Currently, my evening routine is (in no particular order)
- Write a To Do list for the next day
- Cleanse and tone my face, and ideally enjoy a relaxing bath
- Go to bed with a clean kitchen
- 15 minutes of tidying
- Read
The benefits of the evening routine
- I feel more organised – my natural mode is ‘slob’, so having a tidier house and an idea of what I need to do the next day really helps
- I feel more relaxed – all of the points above set me up for a good night’s sleep
- Less stressed – With a tidy(ish) home and a plan for the next day, stress levels are certainly lower
Obviously, routines vary from person to person. For example, while I have time to enjoy a bath in the evening and catch up on my blog reading in the morning, I’ve no doubt that working parents would struggle to find the time!
Why not try creating two routines for yourself – then let me know how you get on!
Such a great post! I have a similar evening routine to you (minus the cleaning which tbh I need to add in to save those quick panic cleaning sessions). If I don’t write a todo list the night before, nothing gets done.
I like the idea of a morning routine, especially the meditating. I’ve always found it hard to meditate but the idea of going to my desk with a clear mind suits me.
Happy new year, have a wonderful 2014 xxxx
Have you tried the calm.com app? I blather on about it a lot, but it really does make meditation easier – I usually do a 2 or 5 min session (occasionally 10 mins at the weekends). Anything more than that and I lose focus and get bored!
I’ve found Tetigi’s app recently too, which is a great alternative – you pop your thumb on the screen and read the facts and thoughts that pop up, for as long as you can. Surprisingly good for clearing your mind!
I love he idea of having set routines but I find that when I fall out of doing them I feel terrible. Maybe I shall try again new year and all that! I do use the app ‘lift’ for a while and it was really encouraging. You should check it out !!
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Go to bed “with a clean kitchen” made me smile 🙂
Will check out the Calm app, thanks!
This is fab! I established a morning routine over the last year (cup of coffee, to do list, blog catch up, make the bed) and it made a massive difference to how I approached the day! Am going to be adding exercising to it this year, and also strangely hadn’t thought of the evening routine idea – as someone who often doesn’t sleep well I’ll definitely be trying it as would be great to go to bed feeling calm (may check out that meditation app too!)