There is nothing more frustrating than waking up feeling angry with past you. I don't know about you but Morning Me is the hardest one to please! Maybe you woke up feeling great until your brain kicked in and you realised all the things you need to do not to mention the mess that is waiting for you once you open your eyes and sit up. Things that you could have possibly avoided with 5 minutes (I wish haha) of shuffling before bed. Days are often hard to start, prying your eyes open most of the time I'm sure, I certainly do! I can speak from experience that sometimes at night we just want to crawl into bed and forget the day that turned to rubbish after 4pm. However, I also know that doing a couple of simple things that can make it even one dribble easier are totally worth it!
So here goes... time to be kind to Morning Me!
1 - Choose your space -For me I spend most of my time in the kitchen so this is a very important spot to have right before I go to bed. It can be as simple as stacking the dishwasher or even placing the dishes in the sink so you can't directly see them when you walk into the kitchen in the morning. Clear benches and no random piles make a big difference to my mood in the morning. Decluttering spaces, declutters my mind. It might not be the kitchen for you but choose a place in your house that you know affects your overall mood and then focus on that. Just give yourself a time limit... spent 2 minutes clearing the bench, trust me it will help you get started in the morning.
2 - Choose another space - If you have children the hardest thing to keep in order is their toys! The best thing I ever did was put a nice but practical large box/basket in the lounge room to throw all of the toys in when I'm on the run! You don't need to spend hours organising just for them to rip it apart before you wake up. The less time you spent tidying up the mess the less you will get frustrated when they make it. If this space doesn't suit you choose another that you know will effect morning you.
3 - Style - I love waking up and loving the space I am in so try fluffing the pillows on the couch, straightening the rug and even putting the remote away. The lounge is another space that can create clutter. It is usually a dumping ground or an everything area for EVERYONE and I imagine you see it when you wake up! So don't let it build up, simply move the 'dumped' items to a space that you dont stare at when relaxing with your coffee and whatever else pleases morning you.
4 - Mind and Body - Yoga does wonders, if you already practice it you will know what I am talking about but if you don't.... give it a go. It really is wonderful for your body and your mind. Many people preach the benefits and they are right! Now I have to admit I am the person who says "I don't have time to excersise" ... of course I do, I just choose to eat pasta and have a wine to please whichever me is most frustrated with the day. I do however enjoy practicing some minor poses at home to help my mind and body relax when I need it. Check out more on the benefits of the shoulder stand (my go to) at http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/08/ten-reasons-to-do-a-shoulder-stand-every-day-marcus-julian-felicetti/
5 - Past and Future you - Be kind to yourself, sometimes we don't achieve everything, sometimes we dont achieve anything but.. hey, don't worry you are not the only one! Get a piece of paper or just the paper you wrote your to do list on (dont use your phone to do this before bed http://ikeepsafe.org/be-a-pro/balance/no-screen-time-before-bed/) . If you don't have a to do list ... make one. Put everything in your head down on paper before you want to go to sleep. Leave it beside your bed so you can add to it when you remember something new. Don't leave your mind thinking and telling yourself to remember something in the morning or you will never get a good sleep. If you didn't achieve something today put it on the list for tomorrow. If you really want to achieve it tomorrow put the words "I will" before it, the power of those two words will astound you. This to me is the most important, be ready to tackle your day tomorrow, be kind to yourself and assess your day to get the most out of the next one.
Its not hard to do and I know it works for me. I am a very organised person and find it hard to wind down if I didn't achieve my goals for the day, so these little tricks have become my best friend. It may not bring Morning you joy to fluff your pillows, maybe sleep does that .. in that case do that and forget what I said!!! But if you wake up in the morning angry at past you for not making Morning you happy then you know where to turn!
And now for H's weigh in....
As much as my night time, already-half-asleep Me hates to say it, the lady is right! A little bit of something - for me usually tidying the lounge room - before bed helps Me feel a lot better not just in the morning; as its the first thing I see outside my bedroom door, but even the night of, helping me to relax a whole lot more with a little less clutter. A little habit I try to practice (though trust me, I regularly find excuses not to) is something a wise woman once told me (ok, it was my Mum. Thank heavens for mums right?) was the 15 minute tidy - for just 15 minutes at the end of the day tidy up as much as you can - its super duper effective. Oh and Yoga? Yes. A billion times yes. I don't know how I live without it, but sometimes I do and it is a silly, silly move, let me tell you!
Love Chantelle and Hayley xx
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