The power of a morning routine.

in

Everything we do sets off or is part of a chain of events — a sequence of actions, thoughts and feelings. What we do affects what we think which affects what we feel and so on and so forth. When we set off a cascade of negative thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, it is hard to change course for momentum can build more quickly than we can counter it. And unfortunately, this can happen both as a result of inaction and action — in the choices we make or lack thereof.

This is why the concept of a morning routine is critical for mindset, mood, and connection. Starting your day by making choices that align with your values, help you center yourself, and set off a cascade of meaning and positivity can have a dramatic effect on your day. Whether it is as simple as taking a shower, having your breakfast and coffee while reading the paper, or something more involved like meditation, yoga, or a morning walk, our morning ritual acts as our first “domino”.

So consider which one you want to lay wisely.

Which day would be one you are more excited about — one where your alarm kicks off a feeling of dread while you lay in bed checking emails and feeling exhausted and resentful before you have even thrown off the covers or one where you wake up before your alarm even goes off, full of energy and joy and take time just for yourself before looking at your phone, checking emails or giving your energy anywhere but to yourself?

So, with that, I challenge you to think about your current morning routine. How are you starting each day? What is your first domino? And how is it affecting the rest of your day? Do you like that? Does it fulfill you? If not, it might be time to reframe it and start to shift to a routine and rituals that set off the kind of day, week, year, and life you are excited to lead.


Get off the hamster wheel and live a life you choose rather than pursue.

in

It is so easy to get swept up in the current of urgency — we need to do it all now or risk being behind. Whether that is in our personal lives — “settle down”, pick a career, have kids, be debt-free, move out, etc — or in our professional lives — make 'X' amount of money, get promoted, launch a new business or, more generally, be "successful" — we are consumed by it.

We expect so many things to happen immediately or on some arbitrary timeline imposed by the world around us. I think of it as the conveyor belt perpetuated by the cult of the average. To be clear, I am not commenting on anyone’s value when I say average. I am commenting on the drive to conform — to find safety and solitude in the collective plan and goal. To fit in at all costs and pursue a dream bestowed upon rather than cultivated by us.

These ideals have been fed to us since we were young — before we really knew we could ask “why” before hopping aboard. But the reality is that all that awaits us at the end of the conveyor belt is loneliness, resentment and what I call, “predictable sh*ttyness” — a life of stagnancy and “fine”. We do not like our lives but we are comfortable in the predictability and at least feel like we know what to do and what to expect so we stay, trapped and unhappy.

What keeps us stuck in this cycle?

Read More

Relinquishing Urgency: Shifting from doing to being

in

We have all felt it — that sense of urgency that makes us feel like we need to achieve success or complete something right now or that we are somehow behind schedule because we are “[INSERT AGE] years old and should have done/been/accomplished that by now”.

I have been feeling it a lot lately — especially with trying to balance my role as a mom and also living in the time of a pandemic. The feeling that I “should” be so excited and feel blessed to have as many opportunities as I do to be with my daughter while simultaneously being able to do and handle all of the things — cleaning my house, running my business, seeing patients…making new content, being creative…food prepping, working out, taking a shower (haha we have all had those days throughout quarantine — kids or not — where the idea of getting in the shower feels it has to be pushed aside to get something else done). This sh*t is hard. And yes, I truly love all of my roles AND I hate how often I feel at odds with the things I want and need to do and the fact that I am always faced with a list running in my head of what more I “should” and “could” be doing.

Where does that come from?

Read More

Spring already?

in

It’s one of my favorite times of year! Flowers begin to bloom. The sounds of birds fill the air. The sun greets you with a warmth on your face that envelops you like a hug.

We suddenly feel a renewed sense of energy and joy. Our bodies feel less sluggish and confined. We are excited for the day and start to feel empowered to reclaim ourselves whether it be through self exploration, catching up with friends we haven’t seen in awhile, or reconnecting with nature.

It is also a time where many of us feel “ready” to tackle the work we have longed to do. Cleaning out our closets, finally getting those donations you’ve had boxed up for months dropped off, and turning towards introspection and growth…

Read More

Feeling like all your days run together? Time to rethink your morning and evening routine.

in

While this has been something many of us have struggled with for years, the pandemic has truly added significant stress and overwhelm when it comes to the structure of our days. One of the best things we can do to start offsetting these costs is to create daily anchor points in the morning and the evening.

What do I mean by this?

Find your routine. And make it non-negotiable.

Read More