09 Feb Morning Rituals and Self-Love
Over the years I have experimented with different activities in my morning rituals and tried different routines for weekdays and weekends.
What I find most useful about morning rituals is that it leaves me energized for a productive day but more importantly it gives me a sense of purpose.
Filter coffee is my favorite beverage and I drink it very hot rocking on my chair doing nothing but enjoying the coffee – the aroma, the feeling, the taste; at times the heat almost burns my tongue. Being mindful with my coffee awakens all my senses. I feel ready, charged, and purposeful. I not only carry that energy boost from the caffeine but also those feelings with me throughout the day.
Another activity that I have experimented in 2020 is reflecting daily on my top 3 character strengths and experiences that have made me who I am. This 5 min activity leaves me with a high sense of self-worth. When I am off balance during the day or if someone triggers me, I pull the much needed strength from my self-worth account. This one routine helped me sail through the rough waters of 2020.
These activities are like making a deposit in your self-worth account. We measure ourselves every day and self-worth has very little to do with money as beautifully described by Tony Schwartz in HBR article – How Much Are You Worth?
If you do not make a deposit in your self-worth account, how can you withdraw?
Your morning activities might be any variation of brushing, taking a shower, preparing breakfast, sending children off to school, getting dressed to work and so on.
If you can program one self-love activity and experiment with how you feel throughout the day, you can then choose to add that to your morning routine. The magic is in the consistency. It is not the length of the time but doing it regularly that makes a difference.
Here is how you could start in 3 simple steps –
- Choose a self-love activity that helps you connect with your inner self. For instance, you might add on a guided meditation or walking in nature or writing or visualizing your successes or whatever.
- Observe your feelings during the activity and anchor those emotions whether its joy or calm or peace deep inside.
- Piggy back this activity to anyone of your morning activity so it becomes a daily habit. For example deep breathing for 5 mins after sending the children to school.
Make it a ritual. Morning rituals don’t have to be elaborate and time consuming.
When you intentionally add moments of self-love to your morning activities, you’ll reap the benefits all day long. After all, you can’t accelerate without fuel in the tank.
If self-love isn’t part of your current morning ritual, spend the next few minutes brainstorming one way you can care for yourself. And then experiment with what activity makes you most alive.
So… what self-love activity are you planning to deposit in your self-worth account?
And if you feel like do share with me.
Manuela Morelli
Posted at 09:35h, 13 FebruaryLovely newsletter for self love and emotional self control.
Archana Shetty
Posted at 11:58h, 13 FebruaryThanks Manuela.
Parameshwarayya Mathapati
Posted at 10:22h, 13 Februaryyes true, it’s very much required
whole day draining, worsen everything. Backup required to sustain and move
Archana Shetty
Posted at 12:01h, 13 FebruaryGlad Parameshwarayya, it resonated with you. These activities are no longer considered as a recovery mechanism but necessary for high performance
Azam Mehrtalab
Posted at 11:44h, 13 FebruaryTo be grateful and think about how lucky I am. At the beginning of every day, I am gonna get the chance to be with my beloved family and friends and actually start making progress even at a low level. you know what, life worth it!
Archana Shetty
Posted at 12:04h, 13 FebruaryThat’s beautiful. A great start of the day Azam. Research has shown many positive benefits of Gratitude practices on health and well-being
Harneet
Posted at 13:56h, 14 FebruaryVery helpful. Thanks a lot.