The Morning Routine
I am a big believer in creating rituals. Especially super simple morning rituals.
Humans are ritualistic beings - we thrive on the outer structure and meaning that rituals provide in an often overwhelming and chaotic world.
Every high-achiever - and that is what breaking an addiction essentially is: a high-level achievement - has a set morning ritual. A ritual that triggers clarity, motivation, purpose and determination... that taps into the essence of who we want to be. Every. single. day.
How we wake up, sets the frame for the rest of the day.
If we wake up, not wanting to get out of bed, basically what we are doing is resisting life. The life that we have created. When we come from a place of darkness and self-destruction, we need a fundamental shift in the way we address life. There is no middle-ground in this particular aspect.
In order to reach the other side we need to accelerate our growth as beings to get unstuck.
This shift requires a soul searching in what matters to us. What is our essence without what we have, do, wear etc. everyday. It requires us to determine our new values for the person we want to be. And commit to ACT in a way that is consistent with those values.
How do you create a morning ritual for transformation?
- Write out tomorrow's master tasks, so you are clear on what needs to be done the day before.
Why? CLARITY. This is the most important step. Mapping out a structure before you get overwhelmed with external stressors and emotional triggers, creates clarity, determination and motivation to take action. Taking action creates confidence. Confidence creates attraction. Most importantly, you are not letting the day control you anymore, but you are taking back control of where you want to go and clearly laying out a plan every single night.
- Lay out your clothes in the PM so you are not wasting willpower choosing what to wear in the AM
Why? DETERMINATION of how you are going to master your day; it's not just happening to you, you are shaping it from the get-go.
- Get to bed 10 PM
Why? REPAIR your brain during night; it's not a conscious action. Sleep is not obsolete. Major healing happens before midnight according to our circadian rhythm.
- Get up the same time every morning.
Why? CONSISTENCY in showing up every day in a structured way.
- 5 minutes stretching+breath work.
Why? RESET stress/cortisol response
- 5 minute meditation.
Why? DETACH from automatic negative thoughts.
- 5 minute visualization of your ideal self.
Why? CLARITY of where you are going
- Breakfast routine.
Why? RESERVE your choosing power for important tasks, rather than spend it on which cereal to eat today.
Make life simple and focus on the essence.
What actions do you need to take in order to start expressing your essential self and creating a life you love.
Ask yourself, and then do it.