There’s been a lot of talk about morning routines lately and I can’t help but to feel a little jealous… I mean come-on, who has time for a cozy cup of tea, yoga, journaling, and self reflection every morning?
Heck, I can hardly fit in a shower most mornings!
My reality? Being startled awake by my five year old demanding cereal, rushing to get breakfast and the kids’ packed lunches made while the baby is screaming to get out of her crib… and then rushing to at least get dressed and brush my teeth before the baby finishes her breakfast, and then it’s off to school or summer camp.
Whew!
I’m sure that if I lived alone, I would probably have a dream morning routine in place; but seeing as though I have three young kids and waking up at the crack of dawn isn’t an option I’m willing to take (not yet anyway), then I needed to figure out another way to fill my day with intention.
Many other “experts” suggest you imagine what your perfect day would be like, and then make it your intention to direct your life daily toward that perfect day.
So I tried…
and tried…
and tried.
But, to no avail could I come up with ONE perfect day that I would be happy to keep as a benchmark for happiness.
I’m a multi-passionate after all.
How could I know that I’ll be happy in the future with what I choose now?
As I was pondering about this, I stopped in my tracks and looked around me. I was alone, in my quiet backyard, with the warm sunshine on my face. THIS. This right here would be part of my most perfect day, a day that would make me happy. Being alone with my thoughts, if even for a moment, in a quiet peaceful place, connecting with nature. Yeeesss.
I had found the answer to envisioning my “perfect day”… I didn’t have to strive for a certain lifestyle, or commit to do a certain activity every day; living intentionally simply meant breaking away from the mindless daily grind and doing something that connected me to ME.
Me,
and my values,
and what would make me truly happy.
Once I realized this, I was able to add more to my intention list.
Today, that list looks something like this:
- Experience something new
- Get in touch with self (being alone with my thoughts for a few minutes)
- Get in touch with nature (go outside!)
- Create something (ie a cake, a painting, an entry in my journal…)
- Get my heart pumping
- Connect with my family (spend individual time with each)
- Help someone, or make a contribution
Purposefully doing things throughout each day that reflects your values and makes your life richer… that my friend is living intentionally.
What’s on your intention list?
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There’s freedom in knowing that you don’t have to try to be something you can’t possibly be. You’re right, realizing that you have the potential to have a “perfect ” day right where you are with what you’ve been given. Recognizing it is half the battle! Thanks Kristal.
Simply beautiful ~ beautifully simple. Thank you
Excellent advice! You only missed one thing that is on my own list. Find something to laugh about. Laughter is powerful healing that is like a daily vitamin. Which is a good ritual too! :)
OH Yes!! I was just thinking about that last night after I had already finished writing the blog post. lol A moment of laughter or at least a giggle always helps make the day special. :)
Great intentions list!
On mine list is, to enjoy the little things in live. There is no perfect day, but there are many little tings in a day that can make it perfect.
Love it! So often the treasure is under our nose; we don’t always have to dream big to feel connected, in tune. A lovely reminder, thank you x0
Kristal, I love this post! So much of it resonated, including the morning chaos and trying to find peaceful time to reflect. I have two very active young boys who typically climb on us in bed WAY before we would choose to wake up – so journal writing or morning pages would require, as you say, waking up at the crack of dawn… if not before. Not ready for that yet.
My intention list is much like yours, and as long as I include something that feeds my soul – such as quiet reflection time or a walk outside – I feel great.
So glad to know about your blog. :)
My life doesn’t always look exactly like I want it to. I spend many days writing alone in my living room, when I’d rather work from a beachside office space I share with friends. I drive a beat-up old Toyota, when I’d far prefer something that doesn’t have roll-up windows or a cassette player.
I think we all will always have things we wish we had in our lives. Believe me, I have a wish-list a mile long! No matter what we have, there’s always something more outside our reach. But dwelling on what we don’t have, doesn’t get us anywhere faster; unless of course we choose one as a goal and stick to a plan to get there. Even then, we must be grateful for the things in life we do have. It could be worse!