List #48 - Things I do to feel more grounded in the morning
For the most part, I have a morning routine. It’s not 15 steps, but its pretty clear-cut. On days where things shift however, and they do, I have key elements that I’m able to preserve to stay on track with my day.
No phone before a breath.
I always start with a deep breath before I check my phone. I also keep my phone in the kitchen overnight, so its never next to me while I’m sleeping. Even so, I take a deep breath before I check it. This allows me an extra minute of mental space to remember priorities before I any overwhelm.
My to-do list is minutia.
My to-do list lives in my Notes app and looks fairly insane from the outside. This is because I break down every task into minute details that I check off as I go. If you have crippling ADHD, which I do, this is especially important because it eliminates the paralysis we feel before we have to start a task. By breaking it down piece by piece, each smaller task becomes more manageable. And I’m able to move things along faster.
30 squats is a full workout.
If I had my way, I’d have a full hour to take my time on a run. However, this is rare and typically happens on weekends. If I just need to get my body moving, I do 30 squats (sometimes goblet with weights, sometimes not).
When in doubt, slow it down.
I’m my most energetic in the mornings, which is a blessing and a curse. It can mean huge spurts of productivity, but also sometimes chaos. I run a small social media consultancy as my full-time work, so I have to keep myself in control during chaotic moments. I put my phone down and take a leisurely 10 minute walk around our building to eliminate distraction and regain my focus on the priority.
Check my bank account.
I have learned to stop saying I’m bad with money, because I am not. I don’t spend like crazy and my recommendations are meant to be inspiration. I certainly am not able to purchase and review everything on these lists. In an effort to be less afraid of money and more aware of my constraints/abilities, I practice the habit of checking my bank account every day in the morning.