We've all seen the posts: a beautiful girl wakes up with make-up and hair already in place, does yoga in a sun-filled room, and eats a perfectly nutritious salad or bagel for breakfast, all before 6 am. Quotes like "early bird gets the worm" and "waking up earlier by 30 minutes gives you so much more time to yourself" are written in many self-help books. So I tried it... and failed... multiple times. Why was it so hard for me yet seemingly easy for others? Let's be honest, those Instagram posts are often a fake reality carefully curated for likes. They aren't real, even for the influencer.
When I failed to adhere to an influencer-approved self-care routine, I just stopped altogether. Which, of course, was not the right thing to do. Our bodies require consistent care and attention; our inner goddess thrives when we feel put together and calm. I'm not a morning person. I never have been and never will be, but that doesn't mean I should ignore my divine feminine and neglect my body. Simply choosing to schedule around myself and my specific needs made such a difference. So that's my prompt for this week: Make a Self-Care Ritual that you can stick to.
When to schedule your 'Self-care Ritual.'
Notice that I used the term 'self-care' and not 'morning.' I specifically chose this phrase because our routines and schedules are different and unique to our lifestyles. For example, a person working the evening shift will have a different idea of a morning than society tells us it should be. On the other hand, a busy parent might find mornings too hectic and prefer to do their ritual in the evening after the children have gone to bed. Keep this in mind when thinking about what time your ritual should be. For example, you could make a quick wake-up routine before work and devout a more extended ritual before bed. They're both self-care but tailored to your needs.
What should you add to your Self-care Ritual?
Take a few moments and sit with a pen and paper. Picture your perfect morning/evening routine. List them all out. Pay special attention to two questions: 'What do you have to do?' vs. 'What do you want to do?' For example, You have to brush your teeth, and you want to do 30 minutes of yoga. Here are some examples of what could be included in a self-care ritual:
Have a good stretch in bed.
Brush your teeth.
Repeat a positive affirmation.
Think of something you're grateful for.
Take a shower.
Soak in a hot bath.
Wash your hair.
Dry/style your hair.
Put on make-up.
Rub lotion on your body.
Dress in your favorite color.
Give yourself a manicure/pedicure.
Make a healthy meal.
Spend time journaling.
Take a long walk.
Listen to a podcast.
Watch a hobby tutorial
Create some art
Do a puzzle (crossword, sudoku, etc.)
Meditate for 5 minutes
Read a book/magazine
Drink lots of water.
Enjoy tea/coffee.
These are just some things that could be on a self-care checklist but feel free to add something. Your ritual should be focused solely on you and your needs. With that being said, don't add "Jog for 30 minutes" if you know you won't do it. Your self-care ritual should make you feel good, not guilty, at the start of your day. Now that you've written down everything you would like to do, open the timer app on your phone and time how long it takes for you to do a specific task. For example, I was scheduling myself 30 minutes for a morning shower when it only takes me 6 minutes if I'm not washing my hair. That may not seem like a big deal, but when I was rushing in the mornings, I would tell myself, "I don't have time for a shower," when in fact, I did.
Group Them Up
So, after you've timed yourself doing your tasks, make separate groups. For instance, I have a 10-minute group, a 30-minute group, and an extended group. What I mean by that is to look at how long it took you to do each item. Next, place in the things that you MUST do first. Then, you can fill in the remaining time with something you WANT to do. Finally, you can have pre-arranged rituals ready to go, whether you have 10 minutes or longer. View the example provided below.
If you notice above, I only need 2 minutes to get dressed. That may seem ridiculous, but part of my bedtime self-care routine is planning my clothes for the following day. I'm never fully awake if I have to be up early. If I didn't preplan my clothes, I'd probably walk into work with two different shoes on. This brings me to my next point. Having some self-care when you wake up and before bed is a great idea. I don't try to squish everything into a one-and-done ritual. Our self-care should feel natural and flow with us throughout the day. Try making a list of things that work best before sleep. For instance, try to turn electronics off an hour before bed. Take that time to do some yoga or read a book. Both of these are proven habits to help you fall asleep. You can also take this time to do a tarot reading for the next day and set out your clothes.
While I may never be a morning person, I believe that scheduling self-care rituals will make a significant difference. Remember that self-care is not limited to a specific time frame; it should be personalized and tailored to fit our individual lifestyles. By identifying the necessary tasks and activities we genuinely desire, we can create a self-care ritual that resonates with us. Whether it's a quick morning routine or a more elaborate evening ritual, self-care should prioritize our well-being and cater to our preferences. This week, I encourage you to design a self-care practice that you can stick to, acknowledging that it should be adaptable and aligned with your needs. Embrace the power of self-care and celebrate the unique journey of nurturing your mind, body, and spirit throughout the day.
Goddess Work Series Quick Links
Making a Self-Care Routine
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