Mindfulness

The manner in which one starts the day can determine its outcome. This is something that I experienced first-hand because my morning routine has continued influencing not only how much I get done but also my general mood and emotional well-being. Getting up refreshed, focusing and taking charge of a purposeful morning have always been easier said than done given the fact that there seems not enough time for me to do everything or I am simply doing too much at once. It was about this time when I took up some morning routines that included some set tasks for me. It does not matter whether I follow tight plans during my breakfast hours since all I have to do is make a list of a few things that will prime my intellectual, physical and spiritual pumps.

In those days when I did not have a plan yet, I used to wake up very anxious and immediately reach out for my mobile phone from where I would start typing emails on end or just check on social media platforms. Waking up like this always left me with poor concentration and low drive; and unfortunately it seemed as if the day was meant to be disorganized as well. Gradually, however, I came to understand the priceless nature of the early hours which should never be wasted at any cost or otherwise left idle. This change led me to realize that taking one or two hours every morning for mindfulness practice, exercise, journaling – activities that nourish my soul, essentially – significantly affects my drive, creative thinking as well as emotional stability. This taught me one important thing; morning sets up everything hence we should take it like an opportunity given each normal day itself.