Healthy Habits

A good day starts with a great morning! Going through the motions just will not cut it. A morning routine, one where you have the capacity to fulfill all of your desires before you officially begin your day, is the only guaranteed way to achieve this. Do you need to wash your face, drink your coffee, watch the news or take a walk? Will reading a book or taking a shower put you in the perfect mood? Or maybe it's that you excel after you've written in your journal or practiced your meditation. Whatever really gets you going, makes you feel alive and excited for the day ahead, do that. Do it every day, first thing, very consciously, until it becomes a habit.

For me, after opening my curtains, making my bed and brushing my teeth, I make my way to the kitchen where I enjoy my cereal or oatmeal for breakfast before getting dressed, stretching and going for a run. By the time I get back I feel as though I am on top of the world. There is something about getting outside and breathing in the fresh air, first thing in the morning, that truly invigorates my soul. As I run, passing others out for their morning exercise, I feel more connected with my community. This part of my morning fulfills many different desires of mine. For starters, the obvious reason I want to exercise is to stay active and work on my health and fitness. Ever since the first day of deciding to try running I have grown an affinity for it, and in fact I am setting goals to run a 5K in the next few months. Additionally, being an avid music lover, listening to some bops through my earbuds as I run not only provides motivation but also puts me in a great mood. On the other hand, this time also allows me to think things through as well as free my mind of negative thoughts. Once I make it home, I am always energized and ready to get changed and get my day started!

Ever since my recent life changes, there has been a lot more free time on my hands, what with not having to research a states' residency requirements, search for apartments, apply to jobs at companies I have never heard of or prepare for a long-distance move. This meant that I had to find some way to spend this summer. In my post Making a Habit of it - A Collection of Habit Tracker Ideas, I mention how the habit tracker in my bullet journal helps to keep me accountable for my actions and makes certain tasks which I am trying to turn into habits more relevant in my mind. However, during my time in college, it was never a high priority for me to check every box for every habit every day. My morning routine is just one habit adopted in an effort to not waste this summer away, and instead, use it to set myself on a course of healthy habits. This routine, along with an increase in H2O intake, an improved sleep schedule and an increase in self-improvement skills, has made the habit tracker page the most used spread in my bullet journal! And to be quite honest, I have never felt better!

When one part of your life changes, you tend to reevaluate many other aspects of your life as well. For me, that one change was the spark which lit a fire within me and shined a light on the various parts of my life which needed some TLC. After years of giving – giving towards your school work, giving to your job, giving to clubs or sports and giving to friends and family – make sure you allow yourself to take – take time for self-care, exercise, traveling, reading, baking, whatever makes you happy and sets you on the path to your best life. You deserve it!