The first and last 30 minutes of your day

The first and last 30 minutes of your day...

10/2/2015

I would love for you to ask yourself this question...

"How do I spend the first and last 30 minutes of my day?"

My husband told me that he heard this question being asked on talk back radio last week and it really got me thinking. How do I spend this time? Here is the reality...

// Morning
My alarm goes off and I reach for my phone, quickly checking my social media notifications and emails. Depending on the day I may head straight into my studio for my first appointment of the day or I head into the kitchen and make myself breakfast.
I eat breakfast while watching the news.

// Evening
I usually spend the evening sitting on the couch with my hubby and our two cats watching telly. Then off to bed around 9:30-10:00pm. I wash my face and get into my PJ's. I then jump into bed and read a book until lights out.

Hmmmm...not how I would like to spend the first and last 30 minutes of my day. How does yours look? Happy with it? I feel stressed and rushed, especially with my mornings.

During the evening I try and stay off my phone, I have had enough social media time throughout the day as it is so I think this is a good habit I have got myself into. But I know I can do more especially with the first part of my day.

Why do I check my phone before I am even really awake? This needs to stop. And then while eating breakfast I watch the news...depressing any one?

"The way we begin our day is so important to how the rest of our day will flow.

By checking social media and emails before even getting out of bed is setting me up for overwhelm.

Watching the news while eating breakfast is filling my fresh mind with the negative things happening in this world before the day has even begun. Stress is already on it's way.

What would happen if I started off my day in a much more positive and self-caring way?

I believe I would be less stressed and overwhelmed. My day could be full of positivity and good thoughts. Creativity and ideas may flow easier. Life through my eyes will appear brighter. Happiness will just be there.

This is how I would like to begin and end my day. A work in progress that I will aim to implement and note the differences in how I feel and how my days run.

// Morning
My alarm goes off and I reach for my phone to turn it off. I put my phone back down. I do some stretching as I am getting out of bed and repeating an affirmation such as "today is going to be a great day".

I head into the kitchen and make breakfast. If the weather is nice I will head outside and eat in nature with my thoughts flowing. If not, I will sit at my kitchen table and read a book or a magazine with music on in the background.

Movement of some kind and mediation will follow.

// Evening
I will spend the evening sitting on the couch with my hubby or going for a walk if the weather is nice. Off to bed around 9:30-10:00pm. I will wash my face, pop on a mask and get into my PJ's. I will then jump into bed, write down three things I am grateful for from my day and ask my hubby the same question. I will grab a book and read until lights out.

Wow, I must say this new way of beginning and finishing my day feels so much more light and relaxing. It already puts a smile on my face and makes me happy.

Now over to you, how would you like to begin and end your day? How does the difference between what you currently do and what you will now implement into your life feel? I would love to hear it, please share in the comments below...

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Be happy & healthy,

14 Comments

Suzanne Chadwick link

11/2/2015 01:08:06 am

Hi Kylie,

Timely post! thanks!
I've been thinking about this so much. Because I'm so busy at the moment I'm working silly hours and then when I go to bed (super late) I then find it hard to fall asleep.

I'm usually such a good sleeper and used to go to bed bang on 10pm but now it's... 11....11.30...11.45pm. Not good.

Need to start thinking about how to wind down earlier in the night so I don't have so many things going through my head. May have to try that tonight! Thanks for the prompt :)
Suz x

Kylie Anderson

11/2/2015 03:50:21 am

Hey Suz!

I'm so glad my post came at the right time for you. Don't you just love when that happens?!

It is easy to fall into the habit of working silly hours when you have your own business. But at the same time it is so important for you and your business that you are fresh and energetic. It is a hard one to juggle and something that we need reminders about when it starts to get out of control.

Good luck tonight! Try to get to bed earlier and take note of how you feel in the morning :) xx

Erin link

11/2/2015 04:58:30 am

This is a great topic and one I had never thought about. While I never rush in the morning or look at my phone until after 8:30am, my evenings are completely different. This will be a good conversation to have with my partner too.

11/2/2015 07:23:14 am

It really is, isn't it? Something I had never asked myself either. Well done on not looking at your phone until after 8:30am...love it! I had the same conversation with my hubby and he is now trying to implement some changes into his nightly routine as well. Let me know how you go xx

Katie

11/2/2015 10:40:18 am

Meditation, journal writing, turning off computer and TV at least 2 hours before bedtime and reading..these have made a big difference for me! And also writing a list of things I'm grateful for at the end of each day..and I read these the next morning to start the day too. xx

13/2/2015 03:39:21 am

I love this Katie!! Such a beautiful way to end your day. Thanks so much for sharing xx

Amber at The Beautiful Lens link

16/2/2015 02:53:26 am

Hi Kylie,

I am starting my day with 5 mins of yoga - choosing from a small selection of morning yoga videos I like on Youtube! - which is great and the habit I want to reconnect with in my night routine is reading.

Amber. x

16/2/2015 03:38:59 am

Hey Amber! What a great way to start your day, some stretching and movement. Beautiful!! How good does it feel to be doing something for your soul each morning?! Thank you so much for sharing!! xx

Vanessa link

16/2/2015 09:05:46 am

I do the same thing - look at social media first. It's a terrible habit. I've all but given up watching news stations though. Never been happier for it!

16/2/2015 09:19:03 am

Hey Vanessa!! It is such a bad habit and one I am doing not too bad with. I do pick up my phone to turn my alarm off so I just have to be strong and ignore the notifications lol. I am feeling great not watching the news!! Such a detox. Thank you for sharing xx

Amy link

17/2/2015 05:58:41 am

I'm not one for affirmations or daily stretching :) I was only thinking recently though how wonderful my mornings are. I usually wake up to the head of a sleeping (or loudly NOT sleeping) angel on my arm, as she migrates into our bed at 4.30am (we get up at 5). Hubby and I get up together, he takes bub for a morning cuddle on the couch and then we enjoy a cuppa together. It's usually just the 3 of us- the 4 and 13 year olds are late risers. It's peaceful and one of the few times we really just sit together without distraction.

17/2/2015 08:19:40 am

Your morning's sound beautiful....what a special time for you and your husband! Affirmations and daily stretching isn't for everyone and that is absolutely okay; it is about finding what makes your heart sing and it sounds like you have found that. Thank you so much for sharing Amy!! x

Cynthia link

18/2/2015 02:02:49 am

This is awesome Kylie. I generally start the day outdoors before coming home for breakfast + meditation. I admit that I also check social media often during the morning. One to work on I think ;)

18/2/2015 03:44:13 am

Thanks lovely lady!! I love that you start your day outdoors...such a great thing to do. I have stopped checking social media when I wake up which has been so refreshing and no morning news. Only me, breakfast and a magazine or book. So much nicer!! xx

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