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ORIGINAL POST: http://betterpeoplepodcast.com/2021/05/may-3rd-2021-building-your-core-part-iii-building-a-healthy-routine/
We're continuing with Building Our Core. Remember, the overall idea behind this process is to help us determine our real selves. Finding your real self means, who are you when you strip away all distractions and comforts.
This one hits home, with me personally as it's something I'm still struggling with. Today we're talking about setting a routine. We've been focusing on waking early and keeping a journal to help plan your day, let's expand on this by creating a healthy routine.
You're waking up, journaling, and reflecting, but now what? This next part is a bit more open to you personally. I'll provide my routine, but you can make it your own.
What you plan the night before affects how you start your morning.
What is your breakfast plan? It probably shouldn't be, I'm running to McDonald's or Starbucks. Instead, what is available to you in your kitchen? Are they options one would consider healthy? I tend to make a simple breakfast of scrambled eggs, sometimes with a sliced bell pepper which has been sautéed in a bit of oil, or sometimes cooked with the eggs. I'll add in a little shredded cheese and prepare it with sliced deli ham.
The point is, it doesn't matter what you specifically choose to eat, what matters is that you've built it into your routine. To do that, you should be planning at least the night before, if not a few days before as you shop for food. Common suggestions are foods that can be considered healthy such as oatmeal, cereal, and the aforementioned eggs.
What are you wearing? That sounds like the setup of a terrible joke, but honestly, are you picking your clothes well in advance? This should include a clean shirt, underclothes, socks, and shoes.
Are you taking a shower? Do you have what you need ready?
Are you planning to exercise? Again, are you ready? Are your clothes laid out?
And finally, let's discuss one very important routine you should always stick to. In fact, this could be the first thing, even overriding your journaling. Make your bed. On May 17, 2014, Admiral William H. McRaven told the graduating class of the University of Texas at Austin at their commencement "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed." In his book titled "Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World" McRaven writes:
“If you make your bed every morning, you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter. If you can’t do the little things right, you will never do the big things right. And, if by chance you have a miserable day, you will come home to a bed that is made—that you made—and a made bed gives you encouragement that tomorrow will be better. If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed.”
Some may be thinking I'm providing common-sense advice. I hope it is, but as a person who has and does suffer from depression and anxiety, I've found when I stray from these routines my life slowly devolves. Maybe I sleep in later, and then the next day I sleep in just a bit later. I forget to make my bed, eat. I forget to shower. I forget to journal, reflect and pray. Maybe I can get by for a few days, I'll start again tomorrow, next week. Eventually, you're back to living by the seat of your pants.
