Daily Rituals: 10 Ways I Take Care of Myself Everyday
Even on my super productive days, I make time for aligning my energy and making space in my mind. Here are 10 things I do to stay grounded, energized, and focused. If it’s a really, really good day I will get all 10, but I’m human and some days I only get three or four checked off. The important thing is to check back in with myself, especially when I’m feeling stress or pressure in life.
Make the bed!
The first thing I do everyday is make my bed. Having a clean and clutter-free room helps set the tone for the whole day.
Hydrate
As soon as I get out of bed, I drink all the water left in my water bottle from the night before.I then make lemon water or apple cider vinegar water to drink while I get ready. My daily goal is to drink 1 ounce of water for each pound of my body weight.
Stretch — move my body!
I have a dedicated space for yoga, so I start most mornings by moving through a few minutes of asanas and breath work. I also like to go for runs with our dog 2-3 times a week. I find that moving my body is the quickest way to clear my mind of any stickiness.
Fuel
I find I’m at my best after starting the day with a healthy breakfast — usually soft boiled eggs and a salad, or steel cut oats and some apples and cinnamon. I also take my vitamins after breakfast.
Steal snuggles
When Vivian first wakes up in the morning she likes to come into our room and snuggle with us, so we all pile into our bed for a few sweet moments. Sometimes our two cats, and our extra large dog Waylon jump in too! It’s a great way to start the day.
Get inspired
I like to listen to music, audio books, or podcasts while I work. Books I’ve listened to lately are Atomic Habits and The Montessori Toddler. Podcasts I've been loving lately include: Unlocking Us, The Business of Fashion Podcast, Armchair Expert, and, when I need a good laugh, Smartless.
Get creative
As an artist and creator, this one is vital to my well-being. I thrive off of creativity and when I don’t use it everything else in my life suffers. I can flex my creative muscle in a variety of ways whether it be arranging flowers for my dinner table or baking a loaf of bread, but my best creative work is done in my sewing studio. I love creating and making Leather accessories for people and their homes.
Journal & read before bed
A while back, I decided to stop laying in bed looking at my phone until dozing off. I know that screen time is not healthy before bed and my mindless scrolling on Instagram wasn’t productive, so I traded my phone for an old school paper and pen. I began journaling and or reading for 10-30 minutes before I went to sleep. It has been so much better for my sleep and for my mental wellbeing.
Make a list
I like to take 10-15 minutes to reflect at the end of the day. Allowing myself to celebrate the good things and jot down a few gratitudes also sets the tone for a good nights’ sleep. Then I will start my list for the next day so that I know where to start first thing in the morning.
Connect with my partner
It's so easy to get swept up by the daily grind: work, kids, chores, meal prep, paying bills… You know, all that adulting stuff… By the time it’s all over, we are tired and want to unplug. By making a conscious effort to come back to each other and check-in, we are able to foster a well connected relationship and create specific space to focus only on one another.