Having an Intentional Routine
Everyone talks about the importance of a morning routine meanwhile, the evening is neglected. Although I am an advocate for having an intentional and considerate routine once that alarm goes off, I also know the importance of preparing for rest in the evening.
A routine at the beginning of the day emphasized the importance of getting ahead of the day. But as the day goes on you collect energies, experiences, and beliefs about what transpired. Some days are likely going to be more demanding than others, which can often cause people to come home without the thought of dealing with what they’re feeling. Instead, they say “I can’t wait for this day to end” while looking forward to crashing in bed and hoping tomorrow will be better. But as the great Rachel Hollis says, hope is not a strategy. If you want things to go in a more progressive direction it takes planning and conscious effort to execute those actions.
If you’re being intentional about how you start the day and careless about how you end the day, what are you bringing to bed with you every night?
Releasing the day
The subconscious mind is retaining information at all times and is most susceptible once you wake up and before you go to sleep. Therefore the behaviors you engage in at the end of the day are making a massive impact on your belief system. Let’s say you had a negative interaction with a co-worker or classmate before heading home that left a bad taste in your mouth. By choosing not to unpack what happened, how it made you feel, and what behavior occurs as a result, you are adding a sense of heaviness to your evening. All of which you take to sleep with you among the thousands of other thoughts.
Start letting go of whatever you are holding onto. Each night reflect on what has affected you the most emotionally, how it weighs on you mentally, and decide how you can begin to release its mental grip on you. The way to invite a more peaceful way of thinking is to ask yourself questions that guide you toward calm. After you allow yourself the chance to accept what has already happened, you can begin to detach from the worry or false sense of control that follows. Bring to mind all the ways you gave your all and acknowledge that at this moment the best thing you can do is be at peace with what has already occurred.
What am I willing to improve?
For most people letting go is a challenging thought, so it helps to put it into practice by considering the ways the can improve next time. Whether you can anticipate the situation arising again soon or down the road at some point, bring to mind what is giving you the most difficulty. How did you handle it this time around? What worked for you and what didn’t? If you could go back and make a better decision, what would it be?
Before getting to the part where you ask questions on how you are willing to improve, you have to come to an understanding that what’s done is done. There is no going back and changing the past but you do have the opportunity to learn from it. Take that drop of wisdom and apply it to your mental arsenal for the next time you come across a similar circumstance. At the end of each day, your checklist isn’t always going to prove you did your best, but you can always learn to be better by checking in.
Morning Routine Starts at Night
The responsibilities of tomorrow begin hours before they are completed. Some people visualize their results, others plan out meticulously, some people do both of these and more. Preparing the night before is a successful habit to ensure you get the most of your time each morning. If you wake up early plan your outfit the night before, have an idea of what you’ll have for breakfast and what you’ll dedicate your first hour doing/having or being.
After practicing what to release and how you’ll improve, you have a clear idea of the type of person you want to become. Maybe you’ve realized you’re lacking patience or that you could practice more kindness to yourself and others. Maybe after reflecting on your day you see that you’re just going through the motions and wish to be more intentional. Maybe you’re exhausted and want to find pockets of the day to recharge so that you may be your best self. Whatever you choose to bring attention to at night could easily be your focus the following day.
Let’s Review
The three things to incorporate into your evening routine to increase your productivity the next day are: releasing the day, asking yourself where you are willing to improve, and starting your morning routine at night. It’s time that you prioritize your evening routine as much as your morning routine because both of these times are sacred. Each routine provides a sense of stability, reflection, awareness, and the opportunity to become a better version of who you are. If you’re allowing the evening to be driven by the demand of the day you’re missing out on the chance to be more productive and mindful being. Start your evening routine tonight and set yourself up for a better tomorrow.
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