On Demand - Day 2
Day 2 | Shape Your Life
In every relationship, there is a beginning. We set a tone and a pattern for how we deepen that experience. Like molding clay, we shape much of the dynamic for what’s to come. So how we begin things has impact.
"All big things come from small beginnings. The seed of every habit is a single, tiny decision. But as that decision is repeated, a habit sprouts and grows stronger. Roots entrench themselves and branches grow. The task of breaking a bad habit is like uprooting a powerful oak within us. And the task of building a good habit is like cultivating a delicate flower one day at a time."
- James Clear
This challenge serves as an opportunity to plant healthy seeds and set a committed pattern for yourself and your body. Because even after we sign up for ‘the thing’, we often meet resistance. We set the alarm to work out and then we hit snooze. We RSVP’d yes and then didn’t feel like driving. We swiped right, but then we didn’t want to go. While that may be astute judgment as a re-think on a tinder date, this is our body we are committing to, both mentally and physically. And our body gets nurtured, thrives and heals through awareness and presence. With that awareness comes clean and clear habits.
So how do we cultivate clean and clear habits? On a daily basis?
First 5 Things
Let’s start by examining the first five things you do when you wake up in the morning? Are they things that shape your life to support your mental and physical well-being? For today’s accountability assignment, you can keep it simple or go deeper with the journal prompts. At the very least, come up with five healthy choice ‘first things’ and do at least three of them before looking at your phone every day of this challenge. Reclaim your energy and love yourself first. Before peeping your email. You can do this!
ACCOUNTABILITY TASKS
What are your first five things you do in a day?
Do 3-5 of those things every day before looking at your phone/device for email, text, news, social media, etc.
INSPO FOR THE FIRST 5 THINGS
DO YOUR FIRST FIVE THINGS BEFORE LOOKING AT YOUR PHONE FOR NEWS, EMAIL, TEXT, SOCIAL MEDIA, ETC.
Think ’Thank you’ or ‘Thank you, I love you’ before your eyes open or right as you are waking up.
Sit up straight and wonder: ‘What adventure am I going on today?’
Do the Mel Robbins’ 5-4-3-2-1 trick to get out of bed if you are sluggish. Simply count it out loud and then move.
Meditate (you can use phone to pull up a guided meditation or to use a timer)
Brush your teeth and tongue scrape away overnight bacteria accumulation
Drink warm lemon water
Dry brush your body
Take an invigorating cold shower
Make your bed/fluff your pillows
Write a gratitude list
Light a candle
Look outside, open a window
Walk outside
Take 5-10 deep breaths
Cuddle with a loved one or pet
Enjoy physical intimacy
Be kind to any people in your environment
Choose a kinder thought/alternative perspective about others (people who flood your brain, bring you stress or irritation)
Choose a kinder thought/alternative perspective about yourself
If feeling helpless, consider how you might be helpful to yourself or others
Pray (sincerely) for the people who bother you
Read something that helps frame your day positively
JOURNAL
What is the resistance you experience or anticipate with doing the first five things?
In what ways could these rituals help you shape your life?
What are some ways that having a clear ‘first five’ routine will benefit others?
Are you concerned it will harm others or possibly just inconvenience others? (Note: we are not seeking to harm others so reach out if you need help finding a more doable ritual for those of you with dependents).
What do you think your body would say about you doing or not doing these rituals? Write a letter to yourself from your body’s perspective. Read it to a friend, me or a therapist perhaps.
RECIPE INSPO
On Demand - Day 2
I love you, Keep going!
Alex
p.s. Tomorrow is the most important class to come to — we have special guest, Dr. Farahnik joining our chat!
Yoga 9am + Chat 9:45am