Welcome to your new day! What are some things that need to be done today? Take a second before you send yourself into a frenzy of tasks and anxiety. Life feels overwhelming at times. We absolutely hear that. Take a breath. What needs to get done for you today?
One goal of having a positive mindset in the morning is to be able to slow down and focus on what you really need. This will look different for everyone, so be cautious of articles or advice recommending the “best” morning routine. There is no single answer. The truth is you have to find what works best for you. So, how can you start your day with a positive mindset?
Check In: What does a positive mindset mean for you?
Take a moment to check-in with yourself and what you intend on doing with your day. It isn’t necessary to create the expectation of getting everything done today. You are worthy regardless of how many things are checked off of your to-do list.
Instead, meet yourself where you’re at. Did you wake up feeling a wave of intimidation or anxiety because you have something planned today? Or did you wake up feeling energized and excited? Tuning in to how you’re feeling when you wake up can help you better understand yourself.
You aren’t always going to wake up and have a positive mindset. That’s real talk. That said, taking a moment to check in and think “How am I feeling this morning?” can help you start the process of self reflection. What are your needs today? What do you want? Is there something you can do right now to make your morning feel more encouraging, inspiring, or supportive?
Understanding Yourself: Finding out how to set yourself up for success
Some days, understanding yourself simply looks like tuning into your basic needs. Food, water, rest. Other days, understanding how to set yourself up for success may look like tuning into your emotions. How are you feeling today? What do you need when feeling this emotion? How can people in your life best support you during this mood?
Figure out what task(s) need to be prioritized today. Then, reflect on what would bring you joy. What do you want to do today? Finding a balance between your needs for survival and how to tune in to your wants for enjoyment is important. Without indulging in our wants, are we really, truly living?
To meet your needs and wants, you may find a routine helpful for your lifestyle. But remember – nothing has to be a routine. Some people function best when they have some sort of routine for themselves, but that doesn’t mean you have to implement one. It’s about finding what works best for you.
For example, Elis discovered that making coffee for themself helped start their morning with a much more positive mindset. With their coffee in hand, they allow themself to journal without distractions, organize their day, and tune in to what they need that morning.
This sort of routine invites mindfulness to meet needs and wants. That’s what we want! Balance.
Nothing has to be a routine
Realistically speaking, strict routines can feel exhausting and unsustainable for some folks. Burnout may occur when these types of routines are improperly started. Strict routines can be especially exhausting if they add a laundry list of things that are part of your daily routine.
If you’re finding your morning routine restrictive or uninspiring, try to implement one or two things to promote a positive mindset. Figure out what works for you, brings you joy, and genuinely helps you live a more fulfilling lifestyle. If it doesn’t seem to be working, try something else.
Invite flexibility. There’s no need to lock-in on a trending “30 day challenge” if you find yourself miserable on day 3. Being flexible with yourself can help make your morning more positive by not being so hard on yourself. This is your life. Tune in and do what genuinely brings you joy.
Slow down to build a helpful (vs. hurtful) mindset
Breathe in. Recognize how you’re talking to yourself in your head. Notice what thoughts come to mind. Tune in to what you are experiencing in the present. Are you in a positive mindset? Before starting the rest of your day, be kind and gentle with yourself. Have grace for yourself. Find a grounding exercise that puts your mind at ease.
Being kind to yourself and treating yourself with respect can open you up to a much more positive mindset each day. Additionally, remind yourself that it is okay to have negative emotions come up. You’re a human! While these negative thoughts and feelings may show up, we can experience them in that moment without dwelling and wallowing for the rest of the day.
If you find yourself in a negative mindset, ask yourself why. Acknowledging our thoughts and feelings is a powerful thing we can do for ourselves. Once you understand your why, you can understand yourself better and find ways to bring yourself into a more positive mindset.
Understand that your capacity may fluctuate day to day. Meaning, some days will be easier or harder than others. This isn’t a bad thing. We experience this, too. All experiences are valid. Slow down, take a deep breath, hug your inner child, and remember – you’ve got this.
Positive and Mindful Movement: You Have a Body
When we wake up, we often immediately reach for our phones or think about what our first task is for the day. But what about…your body?
Take a second to notice the sensations in your body when you wake up. Are you hungry? Do you feel any aches or pains? Are you feeling dysphoric today? No matter who you are, your body is feeling some type of way. Practice being mindful with your body and meeting its needs.
Movement can often alleviate pain and/or uncomfortable feelings in the mornings. Moving doesn’t have to be anything drastic. In fact, find some fun ways to add more movement into your mornings! Here’s a few ideas:
- Stretch in bed
- Get a massage from your partner
- Walk the dog
- Walk to get breakfast and/or coffee
- Do gentle movements in a hot shower
- Play with your dog on all fours
- Run away from your cat
- Vacuum
- Dance! Shake your booty while brushing your teeth, shuffle around the kitchen, fist pump while you poop, whatever moves you
Just about any kind of movement is freeing and allows you to own your body. Finding movements that work for you can start your day with a positive mindset about your body. Connect with yourself and take a moment to appreciate your body each day. It does a lot to keep you running.
Conclusion
Recognizing how you can start your day with a positive mindset is one of the first steps to actually doing it. This requires self reflection, experimentation, and time. There are plenty of articles online telling you what you should do to have more positive energy each morning, but they often forget to start with you. We encourage you to slow down and take some time with yourself to figure out what puts you in a positive mindset. Is there something you’re missing in your daily routine? Do daily routines stress you out? Have you checked in with how you’re feeling today? How does your body feel when you wake up? Slow down, tune in with your mind and body, and give yourself grace as you start to learn more about yourself.
Have a great morning!
