I wake up every morning and engage in a few morning rituals. After I freshen up, I sit silent in a quiet place and begin meditation. 20-30 minutes of going inwards, and then I make it a point to write down the reflections that make their way through the meditation. I try to spend a few minutes every morning learning something new - maybe read an article, attend a masterclass, flip through a few pages of a book that I'm tripping on that week… this activates fresh neurons in my brain, it reinstates the fact that there is way more to life than me and my surroundings.
I've taken up writing the last couple of years; I try to spend a few minutes pouring out words every morning - it could be a standalone piece or part of a larger article.
(I may or may not be able to both learn and write every morning, in which case I shift one of these to any other day part when I do have the time. Learning could be anytime I take a break from the routine; if I miss writing in the morning, I get back to it late evening when it is time to just sit back and relax. I have come to realize the importance of a relaxed state of mind while writing because it needs to come from within the soul, often difficult when we are in task-mode. Post meditation or wind-down time provides the best eco-system to polish and practice my skill.)
And then I launch into my day. I cook almost all days of the week - probably the most therapeutic activity I can think of. The right amount of creativity and action that inspires a beautiful work of art that looks, smells and tastes delicious - sensory delight and the stomach is delighted too!
I get ready for work (juggling two careers currently, so depending on the hat I wear, I either drive down to the office, or make my way to a nearby café to start my work day. My work gives me so much joy. It is something that has helped me gain an identity, learn so much - some phenomenal people skills, about the sectors that I've worked in, a lot of work skills that makes me do my job, and so much more - being financially independent, meeting the most amazing people I can now call friends and colleagues, shaping my mission to create a utopian world; I couldn't be more grateful. Filled with gratitude and the intent of performing my craft with excellence, I launch into work. This is when I'm totally in the zone and I don't really enjoy taking breaks.
I like to race through and through till I reach the finish line for the day. It just helps me do so much and exercise my strength of being focused, with complete concentration and multi-task at the same time. (But to come to think of it, I only take up one task at a time. The focus is so high when I'm in the zone that I am able to complete the task and move to the next one with speed, giving the impression of multi-tasking. It’s actually mono-tasking at speed leading to the completion of multiple tasks).
The moment I realize the sun is making its way to dusk, I pack up and leave because that's the time I love to dedicate to a complete workout. An ideal one is for about 90 minutes. While I enjoy yoga, cross fit and strength training on alternate days, I feel it is imperative to engage in a run followed by a walk every single day.
This is the time I am able to have a conversation with myself and do my daily affirmations. It pumps up the rest of my day. I love it. This is followed by a shower and an early dinner.
Now is the time I crave oxytocin and connection with human beings (beyond work) - my loved ones. It's either spending some quality time with loved ones at home, having a great conversation with a friend, mentoring someone who needs it or catching up with a mentor, throwing a get together with a group of loved ones, or connecting over a call with my parents; it's time for love and connection.
After fussing over the ones I love, on some days of the week I try to stitch my morning writings together, clean up the article, so I can publish one every Saturday morning.
And then at about 9.30 p.m. I need to start winding down. I have a clear set of night rituals that with practice don’t take over 30 minutes - gratitude, reflections that get recorded in my diary, intent for the next day, light to the world, surrender to the higher power. And then if I'm still awake, I try to read for few minutes before I hit the sack. This is only a few days of the week because I'm already dosing off when I write gratitude many days :) but my hope is that I read every night. We can strive to be better with each passing day.
This continues day after day after I wake up with the rise of the sun, with light and hope for the day that is ahead of me. And then of course there are heavy socializing days while staying with friends and family, work travel days, leisure travel months and so on… I try to keep the meditation, writing, learning and night rituals alive irrespective of where I am or what I'm doing :)
I'm sure every one of you reading this article has a similar or a different way of life - but you definitely have a story on how you spend your day or want to spend your day.
Now, allow me to let you in on a secret. Some of what you read in the article is part of my daily routine, some of it I am yet to develop and make part of my day. A part of what you have actually read is currently non-existent. 😊
What you just read above is my ideal day – which is still a dream! A desire...
Putting it down in this article, helped me see exactly how I would like to spend my day. It helped me answer a few questions for myself that I was probably not conscious about earlier.
What’s my current day like?
What's my ideal day like?
What is the difference between my current and ideal day?
What little habits would I like to create to meet this gap?
Do I have any habits/routines that I follow in the day currently?
Do I enjoy these routines? Are they adding any value to me?
Do I dislike any routine but still follow them because I am unaware? Would I rather change some of these or let go of them?
Why do I do what I do through the day? How much of it is just a subconscious habit? How much of it is what I really want to be doing?
It’s one life and I’d like to carve out the life that I want to live. Being conscious helps me understand the aspects of my day I want to keep, the parts I want to relieve and the ones that are non-existent that I want to develop.
Would like to leave all of us with one thought as I conclude this piece, something I read somewhere a few years ago...
It is an Act when repeated that forms a Habit
The network of our Habits builds our Character
Character in action forms a Lifestyle
Lifestyle over the years makes our Destiny!
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