Routine?! I Feign/Need Routine.

I'm doing Natalie Sisson's 15 Day Blog Challenge and she asked, "what is your daily success plan?" and I heard "routine". Just the idea of a routine sets my mind screaming. Silly, I know, but it does. Maybe if I call it a "ritual" instead...

My mother had a routine.  She would wake up, start her coffee, take a shower, read her book (with TV on) in her chair with her cup of coffee and then take that coffee to the bathroom where she put on her makeup just after waking me up. Same routine throughout her adult life.

I noted that her routine worked for her. She was on time and calm in the mornings getting ready for work. I have tried many times to have one, but was not successful--I am not a routine person--or am I?

I actually do have a routine.  Every morning when I wake up I quickly thank the universe for being alive (this is new to my routine) before hitting the bathroom which I am also thankful for.  Most days my stomach turns a bit when I think of my day (really further out than a day) as I walk into the living room, turn on the news, make a pot of coffee and watch the drama unfold.  That is what begins my day.  I watch the news for an hour and half (or so) and then proceed with whatever tasks are ahead of me (or get lost in the wilderness of the Internet).

That is my "at home" routine. I have often imagined what my day will look like, what my natural rhythm will be, when I am full time on the road.  I have been trying to incorporate some of that into my "at home" time. but those things (like walking/biking) are relegated for the end-of-the-workday, when in my ideal life they occur in the mornings.

Now that I see that I do have a routine it is simply a matter of making it work better for me. For some reason it is easier to "change" the routine than to "put one in place" since "I am not" a routine kind of gal.

What will my Daily Success Plan entail?

• Music instead of TV
• Some motivational messages to set the tone of the day (I do this already without regularity)
• Mindfulness/Meditation (I've tried to set my intentions or meditate in the mornings without a whole lot of success so I will check out the Headspace app)
• Walk, bike, or dance (in the morning).

I'll let you know how it goes.