I have been working a lot to make small changes in my daily life, and for someone who has always tried to boil the ocean, this is a big deal.
Since I started to buy into the idea that small habits add up to big changes, I’ve become intrigued by making simple changes to my routine, like drinking lemon water first thing in the morning, meal planning, or journaling for 10 minutes when I wake up before doing anything else.
Through this process, I have learned that the things we avoid are probably the things we need most.
I feel like focusing on these little things takes time away from my big plans. But the time I spend thinking about my big goals for the future, like I did on Sunday night as I write this, is time I’m criticizing how I’m doing as a leader, a mother, a wife, a woman. It’s only to my detriment when I focus on the big plans instead of thinking about the small, direct things I can do to provide for myself and my family. In those instances, I subject myself to my inner critic, the judge and jury.
Focusing on the little things is the exact opposite of boiling the ocean: looking forward to what’s right in front of you, like what to eat for breakfast or what to wear in the morning.
Focusing on the small things is the exact opposite of boiling the ocean. It’s about enjoying what’s right in front of you.
Now, building a habit little by little has become my central goal, and it has completely changed the way I think about my mornings.
5 small morning habits that I cherish
1. Visualize what you want for the day.
If you’re like me, you may not realize that 90% of your time is spent in a haphazard fashion. I wake up in the morning and let my email or the metaphorically brightest burning fire decide what to prioritize. When you don’t connect with yourself and clearly articulate what your day needs to look like, you run into problems. Not only will you be unable to tackle every task that demands your attention, but you’ll also struggle to find time for self-care and family.
2. Practice being present and mindful of the present moment.
You can do this while meditating or while making breakfast. The point is to observe yourself and pay attention to the small details around you. This practice helps you connect with yourself and feel gratitude for all the things you take for granted.
3. Write morning pages.
Morning pages are essentially long stream-of-consciousness journal entries. There’s no wrong way to write them, and only you can read them. I like this habit as a way to clear out negative emotions about bad things that may happen during the day. It helps me acknowledge the negative feelings but not let them dominate the rest of my day.
4. Say self-affirmations.
Self-affirmation is Scientifically proven to be effectiveEspecially for those of us who are working towards a clearly defined vision for our future, saying affirmations out loud can help get our day on the right track, align our motivation with our purpose, and prepare us to take on any challenges that might hinder our progress.
5. Save your photo log.
Taking photos is another way to connect with the present moment before you start your day. You can use an app or create an album on your phone to collect photos from each day. It can be a selfie or a view from your porch while sipping coffee. They don’t have to be perfect or edited. It may be the easiest diary to create that you can look back on and enjoy years from now. After all, it’s the little moments that matter.
Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning tennis and will forever be Testing the limits of her creativity. Follow her on Instagram Follow.
