I started my morning routine almost 10 years ago. I was living in downtown Vancouver and I found myself in a flat routine of waking up just in time for work and coming home too tired to do anything. I had a gym membership but I never felt like going after work... So I started going to the gym in the mornings! I felt like I discovered how to add an additional couple of hours to my day. These hours are quiet, calm, and all mine! It felt good to wake up just to be with myself and get things done. I wanted to share what my routine looks like now that I work from home.
2020 changed a lot of things for a lot of people. One of those big changes was the shift to remote working. This happened for me in March 2020 and has continued ever since... Hopefully one day I can go back into the office! But until then I had to make things work at home. Here's a glance at my morning:
6:00 am Alarm. I hit snooze but my cat, Betsey makes sure I get up.
6:00 am - 6:30 am I feed Betsey and make myself some lemon water. I put the news on or some music and sit on the couch with my water and notebooks!
6:30 am - 7:30 am I journal using the Five Minute Journal and plan my day using the GoGirl Planner. Then I start to write! I work on my blog every morning.
7:30 am - 8:15 am I do some sort of exercise! I'll go for a walk or do an at-home workout. I don't exercise every morning... some mornings I extend my time for writing. But I'll make sure to go for a walk at lunch. Fresh air is key!
8:15 am - 9:00 am I have some breakfast and get ready for work. Even though I'm not going anywhere I still do my hair, my makeup, and get dressed (most days)!
Then I start work! My at-home work set-up is in our guest room. I love having a dedicated workspace. I find it way better than working from the couch or bed. It's easier to take breaks and better for my back! Although, a change of scenery is nice... sometimes I'll work from the kitchen table or my vanity to spice things up!
This year has been challenging. It's been hard to have everything under one roof. Work, my relationship, my hobbies, etc. My morning routine has been helping me the most! It's helped me create separation and sets the tone for the day. My mental health is one of my number one priorities. When it comes to maintaining my mental health, especially during this pandemic, here's what I find the most helpful:
Journal - write it all out!
Stay connected - text/call/facetime with friends!
Ask for help - if you're struggling, tell someone.
Keep busy - find hobbies that can fill your day.
Go for a walk - fresh air does wonders!
One day, things will go back to normal. In the meantime, we need to find joy in this new normal.