5 Essentials in My Daily Routine

I LOVE routine. Since I was little, my mom will tell you that I have always been a routine girl. I‘m super Type A, love to know the plan and have generalized anxiety which I manage more effectively through routine. It’s like if I know what to expect, there is less room for risk. I have no idea if this makes sense, so if you have anxiety and feel the same let me know! My husband is SUPER Type B, goes with the flow and never has a plan. I envy his serendipity & it sometimes makes me crazy lol but he knows my routines by now and respects them.

When we had Gigi 14 months ago, she definitely threw a wrench in my schedule. This little girl, RUNS our house and has since the day she was born. I have been told she is too attached to me, and it is probably true, but I was born to be a mama (her mama) and when I lay my head down at night, I want to feel like I did my best to keep her healthy, happy and safe. I know she will learn through some hard moments, but for now, I just want to do my best to keep her happy and loved.

However, this mentality in the beginning, combined with my inability to ask for help, left me emotionally drained. Nick would come home from work and I would be annoyed, stressed or sad over pretty much nothing. Why? I wasn’t filling my cup.

We chatted a lot about what I needed to go back to being “me” and came up with a few essential, non-negotiable, daily things we needed to try to make happen so I could be the best mom, wife, daughter, friend and sister to those around me.

Morning Quiet Prayer

I love early mornings, when the house is quiet and I can have a few moments to myself. Even for the first year, when Gigi wasn’t sleeping, I would still want to get up a few minute before she did for this small window of peace. I like to come downstairs, make a pot of coffee and say my prayers, followed by at least one daily reading and a small journal reflection. Many days, my journal readings would speak to exactly what I needed to hear, which was a constant reminder of how important my time with God was and how He was guiding my life. This gives me such perspective for my day, how blessed I truly am and how He wants us to give to the world around us. Thank you to my mama for instilling my faith early on, it truly makes my soul happy. Current two favorite devotionals linked here & both under $16!:

• The Better Mom Devotional

• The Confident Woman

Coffee

Non-freaking-negotiable. I LOVE my coffee and crave it as soon as I wake up. I love the taste, the smell, the ritual, all of it. We have an espresso machine to make lattes & cappucinos, a Keurig for single serve cups, but I’m weird and love my $20 Walmart drip coffee pot with a splash of almond milk (Nick would say enough to turn my coffee a light brown color). When your partner can nail your coffee order, you know it’s real lol ♥️

Movement

Before Gigi was born, I was a 5am alarm clock with a planned workout person and rarely missed a day. Truthfully, I miss this, but such is motherhood. Now, I try to incorporate some movement everyday because it just makes me feel better, mentally and physically. Sure, I have specific fitness goals and do my best to work towards them when I have the time, but a lot of days it’s a stroller run or walk because that’s what works with Gigi’s schedule. I told you my life is completely run by a 25 pound human.

Quality Time with My Human

Nick’s parents said to us once that it seemed like we always had so much to tell each other. I never thought about this before, but it’s true. Probably because I tell him about every insignificant detail in my day, but that’s how it has always been. I need him in my life and I am okay with that. We try to go screen free for at least an hour after Gigi goes to bed and catch up. Some days that means vegging on the couch with snacks and a show or just sitting and talking about our day.

Water

I drink at least half my body weight in ounces everyday. Sometimes, I throw in lemons, limes or cucumbers. Sometimes I drink sparkling water or unsweetened iced tea, but I always try to stay hydrated. It helps with my energy levels, my skin, my digestion and keeps headaches away. We have a Berkey, so I know it is nice and filtered and I do my best to always drink out of glass. Linked my current favorite water bottle here. Less than $20 and dishwasher safe!