notes by Sel

It doesn’t matter if you wake up at 5 AM or 9 AM; having a morning routine is a game changer.

I started “crafting” my morning routine maybe a year ago as part of my “I want that for me” journey after watching millions of different versions of content creators. Mainly because I wanted to be as “aesthetic” as them and also because I am a morning person. I guess it kind of made sense for me to try to replicate this, so I did.

What about my morning routine?

I have four things that I swear by every morning. It might be nothing extra, but it is what I need to ground myself every morning:

• Journaling: A practice I’ve picked up again has helped me declutter my brain early in the morning, but it has also helped me realize moments that have brought me joy and pride later, after I took the moment for granted and I think that has helped me to actually improve the relationship I have with myself.

• Workout: I actually never expected to enjoy this one, but here we are. Allowing my body to move after a night of sleeping has turned out to be one of the most proud moments of my day. Especially ’cause I really didn’t like working out, buut, when I complete a session, I feel so powerful and proud that it just makes me feel at ease with myself.

• Meditation: The hardest one is this. I have a brain that won’t stop even for a second so when I have to make it slow down for even ten minutes, it’s a whole controlled distraction happening. But, overall it gives me a serene sensation when completed.

Oh, here are some YT channels that I actually enjoy listening to: SELF, Headspace (ofc), and Goodful.

• Skincare: I love taking care of my skin, so this is a no-brainer for me. I love the feeling after a nice face mask or a full-on facial. So, for me, this is the time I actually focus on trying new things and just have fun with it.

Have I seen any difference? Yes. So, let’s talk about the good.

• It grounds me: I love having structure in my life. I often feel that even my chaos needs to be organized or I’ll lose it. So, having a routine that allows me to not overthink what I’m doing the first hours of the day is amazing, especially if it comes with intention.
• Helps me start at my own rhythm: Since I set this time for myself, I get to decide how I want to fill it out and which routines or activities are set to nurture habits that I want to create or that already exist.
• Sets the mood for the day: I mean, after starting your day with a solid routine that allows you to take a moment for yourself, that feeling of accomplishment so early in the morning really does improve what’s next to come. You did it, and you will continue to kick ass!
• Gives me some alone time: Having an hour or two just to myself has helped me to build a connection with my mind and body I didn’t have before. The only one I’m listening to for the next couple of hours is just me.

Now, just as I have seen benefits, I’ve also seen the negative.

I mentioned that there is a sense of accomplishment when you have a morning routine but when you have a day off just because you were not feeling “it,” well…then comes the guilt and the self-shaming for not being able to “complete” just easy tasks.

For me, that is such a hard feeling to shake since I am really hard on myself. But I guess that even the downside is teaching me how to be gentler with myself, so perhaps it’s a win-win situation?

A moment like a morning routine is supposed to be gentle and not forced. So if you wake up one day ready to take action, yes, you go, girl! But, if it happens the other way around, then take a breather and let your body and mind do what they need that day.