Rituals, Habits, and a Good Night’s Sleep

I had a REALLY hard time showing up for myself this week. Sunday started on a high note, I taught my first yoga class (with people in it) at a local gym and got paid too, woo hoo! The class went well and I felt great. The week went downhill after that and I was reminded of the importance that small rituals, healthy habits, and a good night’s sleep can have on our mental well-being and our ability to show up for ourselves.

Tuesday was a normal day, I worked that evening, business was slow and I enjoyed the companionship of my coworkers. I also started a new shift at my job helping to unload the truck on Wednesday mornings at 5:30 AM! It was too short a turnaround from Tuesday night to Wednesday morning and I was not prepared.

My self-care morning ritual is a cup of coffee. I don’t need the caffeine to get my day going, I just like having a cup of coffee and sitting with my thoughts before the day really starts. The pups and I sit on the couch together, they get their ritual treat toys and greenies and I get my coffee. It’s just how I enjoy starting the day.

With an early morning schedule on Wednesday, I thought I was setting myself up for success by planning ahead. I was going to treat myself to a Starbucks on the way to work. I loaded my Starbucks app and planned to order ahead of time so I could cruise on through the drive thru and make it to work in no time. I got up at 4, got dressed, walked the dogs, had my lunch and a snack already prepared and was ready to go! I’m in the car and as I open my Starbucks app to order my special treat I discovered the Starbucks on my way to work did not open until 5:30! The nearest Starbucks that opened at 5 was a mile and a half away, but in the opposite direction and I was already losing time. The other available Starbucks along the way, all opening at 5, were in grocery stores. There was no time to park, go in, order and be back on the road in time. Ok, no problem I don’t need the coffee any way and I will just eat my PB&J snack for breakfast. As I’m eating peanut butter in the car at 5 AM I realized I forgot my water bottle, so my mouth was stuck together. No problem, I’ll improvise I have a cup in the car I’ll fill that up with water when I get to work. Whew, crisis averted.

Working the truck shift was fun, everyone was social, it was busy and it was a great crew. Someone ordered donuts and since I was starving I ate one, still no coffee though! Lunch was at 10:30, and there was a bowl of Reece’s hearts on the table, so I helped myself to a few of those. When I left work at 1:00 all I could think about was a nap before heading to yoga that evening. When I got home, the pups were nuts! There was no napping, I was physically exhausted from work, mentally exhausted from not getting a full nights sleep, and as the hours got closer to the time I was supposed to teach yoga for the business I just could not do it, I could not show up. I did not have anyone registered for class, the space I rented was non-refundable so I was out a few hundred bucks, and I felt awful that I could not give myself the opportunity to go and use the space even if it was to practice.

The day did not end there! I berated myself for not showing up for my business and for myself as a yoga practitioner, but I did feel great sinking into my bed an hour early, hopeful for a good night’s sleep. Ha!

Wouldn’t you know after being up for 17 hours one of the dogs was going to have diarrhea!! So out we go for walks at 1 AM, 2 AM, 4 AM and after each walk I had the hardest time falling back asleep. Finally from 4 AM to 6 AM I crashed, it was amazing and when the alarm went off I woke up to the start of my period. Now it’s Thursday morning, Wednesday was the longest day ever, and I’m supposed to teach yoga at 9 AM. I am EXHAUSTED, I am moody, and I seriously considered giving up and not showing up, again.

I committed to taking the morning one step at a time; walk the dogs and make coffee. As I sat and participated in my little morning ritual, I had a heart to heart with myself (in my head of course). This business is my dream, I cannot give up on it, I cannot be unreliable, and I must show up for myself, even if there are no customers, even if I feel crappy and tired. So, I hopped in the shower, hopped in the car, and headed to the gym. The gym was quiet and empty, and I was able to practice my yoga class script. In that hour, I was reminded of the power of yoga, and I was reminded of why my yoga practice also needs to be an important habit in my day. The yoga mat is a simple, yet powerful place. Each inhale and exhale connects to movement and flow, each movement and breath opens up the body and mind. Yoga is calming, and also invigorating, it creates space in our minds and awareness of our bodies. My tired body felt better, my active and over anxious mind felt calm. As I left the gym the sun was shining and I knew how I was going to tackle the rest of the day.

I felt renewed. I went home, dived into a few of my favorite cook books and created a grocery list of healthy meals for the week that would nourish my body as a means of showing up for myself. I took myself to Target, bought a new travel coffee mug, some special Starbucks coffee and  some frozen breakfast sandwiches so I am 100% prepared to modify my morning coffee ritual next week when I have that early morning truck shift! I did end the day with my meditation class as well as with wine and ice cream though! Not at the same time, but definitely part of the same meal LOL! Sometimes you just need to tap out and start fresh the next day.

Think about some times you have bailed on yourself, what were the circumstances? How did you recover and move forward? What motivated you? What are small rituals that you have in your daily life that give you meaning and motivation to tackle the hard stuff? Take a moment to journal your thoughts and share your experience on our Facebook Page!