morning routine

For some time depending on your character and circumstances (working or not), you will either have the freedom to chose what you are doing on a daily basis or if you have to return to work, this next section gives advice on how to cope with the difficulty of trying to lead a normal life. Having a morning routine is essential whether you are going to work or not. My coach always emphasised that having that morning routine helps in a number of ways.

Wake (we don’t even know if we are going to wake up the next day!) that is how unpredictable life is. Knowing that you have that expectation and visualising yourself waking up goes deep into your psyche.

A morning routine that has been carefully developed and refined is a life saver! It brings a nice structured, predictable start to every day. Given your loss, it brings stability, routine, and helps you to ease into each day with a plan that needs executing. Here is my morning routine - plan yours today!

I had joined a Sister Circle and the first assignment was to write out your morning routine! Mine went as follows: wake, and thank God that I had woken up! looked at my vision board which was facing my bed. from left to right and note all my goals, all my desires, pictures of a wondrous beach side balcony. Get my warm water, read the passage for the day - usually a scripture, and then still in bed, I would put my ear phones in and listen to 2 of my favourite gospel songs. Upbeat jazzy songs or the sweet melodies of gospel music. (Covid-19 has made us all value each morning that we wake up)

Then I would wash my face, brush my teeth and make myself a cup of tea, eat some cereal and take my medication, get back into bed then I would get out my journal. I had just won the 6minute Diary from my life makeover coach, Joanne, so I read that one page, and list what I had to do for the day. 10 minute walk outside. I give thanks for everyone in my life - mention them one by one - my siblings, my sons and my best friends. If anyone I love is in a difficult position, I say a prayer for them.

make breakfast, look at my vision board again - at the very top was a note to self - my sons first & the word Finish - thats what I needed to see and know that whatever I started must get finished and anything to do with my sons had to come first. I visualise my whole day - meetings, eating. Some of my other morning routine include: smiling, , journal, affirmations, I added budgeting what money I may have to spend make those decisions early so that you do not make impulse buying a habit or a crutch.

I come back and with a cup of tea I look at my tasks for the two days - today and tomorrow. I always write a list because I love crossing things off. Recently, I have also added 30 minutes on social media. I never used to but knowing what is going on has become important, I don’t shut myself off from the world as I used to. I wish my friends happy birthday - Facebook helps us never to miss a Birthday! Ever since I was diagnosed as pre- diabetic I ensure I have my morning porridge, log my food onto the App.

Then I start my day and remain in a grateful mood for all I have. I do not dwell on what I don’t have. I rather ensure I keep my mind focused on the bigger picture and do what I have to do that day.

I try to review my coaching tips so that they sink in and take those tips to see how I can implement any of them in my life right away.