Everyday Habits: Quarantine and Beyond

I was laid off from my full-time job last Friday. Within a matter of hours, several people in my life asked what I would do on Monday. Without hesitation, I responded, “What I’ve been doing for the past 8 weeks.” 

Before the stay-at-home orders hit, my habits, similar to most, were totally thrown off. I was used to waking up rather hurried to get to work, taking the metro rail 2 hours a day (yes, that is too long if you are wondering), working within the office with a team I enjoyed being around, and coming home to workout or make dinner and spend time with my husband. However, I did not plan out my day, my time was not mine because I did not choose for it to be. 

Insert quarantine 8 weeks ago - my world was rocked. It was an abrupt realization that I had a choice before me: to take ownership of my time everyday or let it slip by without my noticing as my home became my office and my work responsibilities picked up. At the time, I just finished The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg and was in the middle of Atomic Habits by James Clear. I figured, this was an especially optimal time to capitalize on what I had learned. 

While I wish I was perfect and could enhance everything in my life instantaneously, alas, I am not. Therefore, I incorporated 3 daily cornerstone habits into my life that I intend to practice well beyond quarantine. 

Morning Routine

For the past year, I have been building a habitual morning routine into my day. However, having to leave at 7:30am for work and trouble getting out of bed was an obstacle for me to overcome. When quarantine began, I made several promises to myself to build into every weekday morning (in this order): 

1. I would not sleep in 

2. I would say my morning prayers while enjoying my morning coffee

3. I would change out of my pajamas no matter what 

4. I would do my make-up and hair while listening to a personal growth podcast or Audible book 

5. I would write my goals down and journal 5 things I’m grateful for in Rachel Hollis’ Start Today Journal (I highly recommend this)

Truth be told, this took several weeks to really get into and I’m still working on this everyday. 

Build Time for Exercise

I’ve always enjoyed working out, but consistency has not been my strong suit. That changed with my plan to workout. My plan helps me remain dedicated to my everyday goal, overcome my own excuses, and dodge the obstacles of “not feeling like it.” I realized, I literally have NO excuse. 5 weeks ago, my husband and I signed up for the BeachBody app and never looked back. We follow the Insanity 30 minute workout routine 5 days a week at 5pm. On weekends, we rest, run, or find stairs outside to climb for 20 minutes. I was not this consistent when all the studios and gyms were open… 

Excuses, you’re excused. 

Evening Routine 

I am not someone who enjoys what many call “relaxing.” I feel unproductive when I watch Netflix or take a nap. However, after I started working from home, I discovered I was emotionally and mentally exhausted after the end of each workday. I needed to find a way to detox stress and wind down; I had to create my own evening “turn-down service” if you will. Though I’m still progressing in this, I’ve found several new ways to calm my mind in the evening. 

1. Stop constantly checking at my phone after 10pm (it’s not ideal, but a start)

2. Drink hot tea around 8pm or 9pm 

3. Say nightly prayers with my husband

4. Read on the couch or in bed before falling asleep 

While these aren’t perfect, the point is to get into an intentional state of rest and calm. So far, it’s helping! 

There will always be habits I’m working on. I willingly admit I have to push myself to get up at 6am on my first alarm, plan and time block each day, and dial in on my nutrition for optimal physical health. Thankfully, my other new routines have set a foundation on which I can build others (habit stacking). 

So, what will I be doing on Monday (today)? Everything I just described, and more. My day is dedicated to my routines and finding fulfillment in accomplishing them, bringing God glory through my actions. I set aside time to further build up my website, leverage my network, and update my resume. Oh, and grocery shopping. 

My question to you is: what are you doing with your Monday?