I am taking a break from expanding on things I learned from the book: YOU ARE A BAD ASS by Jen Sincero to revive a very important Challenge for me. The Challenge? Establishing a routine for both the morning and nighttime. Without the foundation of a solid and structured day/night routine, I feel like everything else around me goes to shit. I’m unorganized, lethargic, and uninspired.
I’m fanatic when it comes to creating routines, and have tried many different combos. After throwing my developed routines aside (not my ENTIRE fault, when you’re an actor and your nights get taken due to rehearsals/performances, you have to really have a plan B in your back pocket) I am ready to try this new structure to get me ready to go Back To School.*
*Side Note: I am out of school. And probably never, ever going back. BUT, I still mimic the school schedule. Why? Because it was a routine engrained into every fiber of my being for the last 20 years. It’s the only one I know. So, I use September as a restart. I do everything, from new supplies, new outfits, and thinking once again THIS YEAR WILL BE MY YEAR! My “back to school” date is on Monday, September 5th. That gives me time to live up the rest of my “summer break” (which is really more of a mentality) and slowly get my routines back in order.
MORNING ROUTINE:
- Giving myself 60 min(ish) to get ready before I need to leave for work.
- First stop: The Bathroom – use the toilet/brush my teeth. (2 min.)
- Drink a full glass of water (w/lemon or any type of fruit infusion if you want.) (1 min.)
- Do 3 Sun Salutations and set your intention for the day. (10 min.)
- Eat a healthy breakfast that you prepped ahead of time while looking over your To Do list (also prepped the night before.) (20 min.)
- Take a cold shower & jam out to music (10 min)
- Follow a morning face wash routine (Exfoliate, Eye Cream, Moisturize. w/SPF)
(5 min.) - Put on the clothes you laid out last night and grab your prepackaged bag and lunch.
(5 min) - On your commute to work: allow enough time to prepare for traffic jams, or public transit to fail you (CTA in Chicago is full of morning heart breaks) and listen to an uplifting podcast, playlist, the news, or NPR.
Also who could forget Jessica’s Daily Affirmation?
(Watch this when you feel like you need a happiness pick me up or inspiration.)
NIGHT ROUTINE:
- Turn off all electronics an hour before bed.
- An hour before bed make sure to hide your phone (if you’re an iPhone user) to turn the phone onto “Night Mode” and “Do Not Disturb” mode.)
- Have a clean sink (this is a lesson my mother taught me.) (10 min)
- Lay out your outfit/pack bag for the next day. (5 min)
- Take a relaxing candle lit shower. (15 min)
- Night Skin Care routine: Wash Face, Tone, Wrinkle Cream, Eye Cream, Night Cream.
- 50 Push ups/ 50 Sit ups (alternate every night.) (10 min)
- Yoga Stretches to help you Sleep. (10 min)
- Drink a glass of water.
- Write out your list of To Do’s and plan for the next day. (20 min)
- Write three things you were grateful for about the day you had. (5 min)
- Read. Set a goal: # of pages, chapter, or time limit.
- Ensure you get 7 – 9 hours of sleep.
Take The Challenge 