Creating a Sustainable Bookend Routine
Creating a Sustainable Bookend Routine
The first thing I hear when working with so many of my clients is, “But I’m not a morning person.”
Truth? Me neither. Ask my mom. Since a baby, if you need me to sleep until noon, I got it, no problem. Need me to pull an all nighter? No problem. Natural night owl.
So while it’s tough love, if I ever hear “but… I’m a night owl/I’m not a morning person” I will call BS fast for you. I’m proof you don’t have to put yourself in a box. My butt is up at 5am because I make it a priority.
Some fast facts for you about routines from the MHA National:
When it comes to diet, sleep and exercise, having good, strong routines is linked to improved mental and physical health.
People with more daily routines have lower levels of distress when facing problems with their health or negative life events.
It takes an average of 66 days for a behavior to become automatic (a habit), but for some people it can take as long as 8 1/2 months. Don’t give up!
I work very closely one on one with my LGA clients to help customize routines that feel good. Because that is key.
So many of us try and fit another person’s routine into our own life and it doesn’t fit. When it doesn’t fit…
We give up.
First, remember this is YOUR routine.
Second, remember that it can take upwards of 8 ½ months to create the new habit. This is why mentors and accountability people are so crucial in personal growth.
Let’s create an easy morning and evening routine for you. Ready?
Step One.
Pick one of the activities below.
Meditating
Breath work
EFT Tapping
Journaling
Reading personal development
Stretching
Drinking a big glass of water
Setting an affirmation out loud
Step Two.
You are going to take that ONE thing and add it into your evening OR morning. If it’s not an isolated activity like drinking water, you are going to set a timer for 5 minutes. That’s it.
Step Three.
Do this one activity for one work week.
Step Four.
How’d it go? Did it feel good? Did it feel hard? Why? What blocked you? What thoughts excused you from doing it? What thoughts motivated you to do it when you didn’t want to? If it was too hard and you didn’t accomplish it, it’s okay! Remember it takes a while. Try again. What can you do differently? Do you need an accountability partner? Should you try a different morning activity instead? Make the necessary adjustments and keep going. If it went well, time to add on.
Step Five.
Either spend the week making the necessary adjustments or add on one more isolated/5 minute activity.
Repeats steps 2 through 5.
And then repeat steps 2 through 5 again.
Remember that change is okay. I have found that my routines adjust a lot about every 3 months. Instead of giving up and feeling like I failed, I realize my needs have changed and adjust them accordingly.
Read about more things that I’ve implemented over the years to help ease my anxiety and overwhelm in my book Motherhood Stripped, coming out October 31st. All details are on my site and my weekly Round Up.
And if you’re ready to dive into one on one mentorship read all about The Layered Growth Academy and sign up for the waitlist to be the very first to know of the next enrollment.