My alarm went off, yanking me out of my deep sleep and pulling me from the dream I was just in. I hit snooze and seconds later, I’m back in that dream. I’m in Spain, Barcelona I think, somewhere on the coast. Wherever it is, it’s warm and sunny and I’m very relaxed. Before I know it, I’m being pulled away again and all the wonderful details of my dream disappear. My snooze button beeps for the second time and I roll over to turn it off, laying there, trying to remember the details of my dream, it was so magical! Where was I again? What was that funny thing Rob said? But alas, it’s gone—isn’t it crazy how quickly we forget our dreams?!
I rub my tired eyes, accessing my body—my legs are sore from yesterday’s workout. I’m dreading that I have to get out of my warm cozy bed and hold off a little longer. I flip through my emails and start mentally creating a list of to-dos for the day. Before my feet have even touched the ground, I’m feeling a bit anxious about the day.
If I’m being honest, this was my morning routine for at least the last six months of 2016. Sounds kind of terrible, right? But, maybe a little too familiar too?
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When the new year started, I knew that I wanted to change my outlook, and that started with my attitude first thing in the morning. Not being much of a morning person, this was a tough adjustment, and one I continue to work on every morning. I knew that if I wanted to get my days to be filled with positivity, thankfulness and intention, I needed them to start that way. So, I came up with a funny little trick that helps me start every morning on a positive note.
I call it my positivity mantra. Don’t laugh. Or do, I don’t care, because guess what? It really works!
Instead of waking up and checking my email, scrolling Instagram, or making to-dos for myself, I leave them closed until I get back from my morning walk with Oliver. I find that when I look at those first thing in the morning, it puts me in a bad mood and makes me feel like I’m really far behind before I’ve even started. Instead, I read my little mantra that I wrote for myself while I’m still in bed, and sometimes, when I feel like I need an extra boost, I’ll recite it outloud in front of the mirror—the first time I did that I felt so silly, but I actually love doing it now. It gives me a sense of confidence and powerfulness that can’t be beat.
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I wanted it to serve as a reminder of who I feel that I am, and what I’m proud of. I also focused on some areas where I feel negativity creeping in the most or where I needed a little encouragement.
Here’s a few snippets from mine to help you get started on writing your own.
“You are a beautiful & strong woman of God. You are kind, positive & up-lifting.”
“You don’t dwell on the bad or the unknown, but live in the present and look for new and exciting opportunities. You’re capable of healing your own body with nourishing foods, exercise and rest.”
“You give and receive love freely, not counting whether or not it’s equal.”
“You don’t let yourself be beat down by page views or numbers—they don’t define you (other bloggers may feel this too!).”
“You ask for help when you need it.”
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Again, this is just a few snippets, sometimes I add things in or remove parts as I see fit, which is fun to do to! It makes me realize that repeating these things really does work. And, you know what’s amazing? After a few weeks of repeating these things to yourself, you really, truly start to believe them and it can make all the difference in how you start each day and live your life. So, sure, maybe it’s a little silly or crazy, but it’s been a huge help in getting my day started on a positive note!
Do you struggle with starting your mornings on a positive note? Do you repeat any mantras, verses or anything else to yourself in the morning? I’d love to hear your tips for starting your mornings right!
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