The Tiny Habits That Hold My Life Together

It’s funny how the very little things we do throughout the day quite literally keep us together. There are certain things I have to do every morning before moving forward with my day or else it causes me heartache, makes me feel less put together, or won’t stop nagging at the back of my mind. My list isn’t unique by any means but it’s mine and these tiny habits keep me sane.

Before moving forward, I need to give credit where credit is due. This was not my idea for a blog post. One of my best friends and blogging buddies, Shanna, wrote this exact post and I was inspired. This is the highest form of flattery, right? Please make sure to read her post too!

Table of Contents

Brushing My Teeth

This is a non-negotiable for me. My family actually makes fun of me because every Christmas morning, before I can even think about gifts, I need to brush my teeth first. My teeth need to be clean before I can have my morning beverage. Ad bought me a bamboo toothbrush and I have to say, I’m completely loving it.

Making the Bed

This is a must. I simply cannot function knowing the bed hasn’t been made and everything around it isn’t picked up. This room spray makes it feel really put together afterward. The scent is Mediterranean Citrus and it’s lovely.

Check on the Garden

Okay, this isn’t technically the third thing I do every morning but it’s up there. Okay okay! Sometimes it IS the third thing I do. Not only is it good to get outside and walk around first thing, I get to witness all the magic that happened overnight. Are the strawberries coming in faster? Does the lettuce need an extra bit of water before a hot day? Are my freshly planted zucchinis adapting okay? All of my questions get answered in one quick stroll and it makes me feel so good. Plus I get fresh air and a few minutes of sunshine before the day really begins.

Make Coffee & Tea

We have a coffee machine my parents gave us as a hand-me-down and it’s a great machine. Ad really likes it when I make the coffee over when he does it. He says he doesn’t know why but it just tastes better when I make it. I told him it’s made with love but the truth is, I think it’s because I add an extra pump of sugar free caramel syrup and a little extra whipped cream on top. 🤫

What’s really sweet is that he always makes sure the kettle is ready for me when I come downstairs. My water is already boiled and all I need to do is add my tea and honey. Lately I’ve been weaning myself off caffeine. I’ve noticed that with my ADHD it’s been giving me more anxiety and jitteriness than usual, that unsettling feeling that something is wrong when nothing actually is.

My favorite teas right now:

Pink Rose Lemonade by The Tea Spot
Master Yellow & Blue Tea by Harney & Sons
Organic Ginger Lemon Tea by Harney & Sons

Watching Youtube When I Blow Dry My Hair

This is absolutely a vice. I don’t enjoy blow drying my hair no matter how good my blow dryer is. I find it to be a chore. So to make it more enjoyable I throw in my earbuds and treat myself to a video. This not only calms me down but makes me patient enough to actually finish the job properly. I’m significantly more likely to style my hair nicely with YouTube playing than without it.

Check in on My Community

Like many people, I try to stay off social media in the mornings. Instead I opt for texting my besties and my cousin to check in. Sometimes it’s just catching up on a voice note from a friend, other times it’s talking to my cousin for 40 mins while I drive or calling my Aunt. Either way, these are the people who matter the most and even though I’m not perfect at always staying in touch, they are constantly on my mind.

Workout

If I don’t work out I feel like I haven’t accomplished anything. Some days that’s perfectly fine but the second I go more than two days in a row without movement I notice I can’t sleep well, I feel bloated, and in winter the seasonal depression creeps in. Even if it’s just a 20 minute walk or some yoga at home, moving my body keeps me sane. I’m extra motivated right now because Ad bought me a new mat for my YTT graduation and I’m in love with it.

Check on my Blog

Just like the garden, I want to check on my hard work every day. I love looking at comments, leaving comments, and checking my site metrics. It’s a small but satisfying ritual.

Setting a Timer or Pomodoro Lofi Video on Youtube

This is a genuine saving grace for me. If I don’t want to do a task or chore, I set a timer. If I’m working on something like this blog post, I put on a Pomodoro timer so I know when to take a break. It helps me get up, move around, and do a few squats between sessions. My ADHD causes hyperfixation so without a timer I will sit here for hours without food, water, or movement until something is finished. It’s not healthy. The 5-10 minute interval breaks are non-negotiable for my basic needs.

Read at Least a Few Pages Before Bed

I used to be really consistent about this because it helps me wind down before sleep. Given at least 20 minutes of reading before bed I’m likely to pass out mid-page. Sometimes I don’t even make it through one. It puts me right to sleep and it’s genuinely one of my favorite parts of the day. I’m so excited to be home for the foreseeable future and get this habit back. Here’s my Spring Book List that is making it’s way into Summer quickly.

Always Have a Trip Planned

Sometimes it’s a 4 week excursion through Europe, sometimes it’s an overnight trip to Leavenworth, and sometimes it’s a day trip to one of the islands. At all times, I need something planned. Despite me sharing we have nothing planned for the foreseeable future, don’t be fooled, I’m always planning something. This is the tiniest habit I don’t think I’ll every break. I love being able to get away, even for a few hours to explore something new. 💕

That’s it, friends! This was such a fun post to write. What are your tiny habits? Let me know in the comments below!

xoxo