The 3-Part Routine That Transformed My Life

(And how it can transform yours, too)

I was about to go crazy during the Covid-19 pandemic:

• Anxious because I can’t get out of the house
• Doing repetitive tasks at my day job
• No fulfilling hobbies at home

My world stopped.

Today, I don’t care if there is a virus or not:

• I enjoy my own company and cherish my travels
• I appreciate being with my colleagues and having a fulfilling mini business
• I made my coping mechanisms (aka healthy habits) part of my daily life

The pandemic helped me discover the other side of me — and it transformed my life forever.

Here’s the story:

I’m convinced I was going to get mild depression if I didn’t stumble upon self-help books.

When I first read The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod, I got excited because I was ready to try new things.

I’ve never had a morning routine before because I thought it was woo-woo. But the pandemic gave me plenty of time and I had nothing better to do. It was also a scary time because companies were laying off employees.

I asked myself:

“If nobody hired me as a healthcare professional, how would I earn money?”

I started looking up side hustle ideas.

This is how having an online business transformed my life (even if I had no prior experience).

These were my daily non-negotiables:

Staying away from the modern morning trap.

The worst way to start the day is to spend it with your phone.

I used to do this every single day.

I didn’t see any problem because it’s “normal.”

But when you do this, you bombard yourself with news you don’t need. You think about problems you should not worry about. You give your body complete control over you.

Your goal should be the opposite: Your mind should be in charge.

Spending a few minutes in peace when you wake up lets you think clearly.

Except I always fall into the trap of the modern world:

• Wake up
• Snooze alarm 10X
• Check phone
• Realize it’s too late and rush to work

My only goal was to wake up a few minutes earlier so I could spend the morning doing what my book told me to do: meditate, do yoga, recite affirmations, write in a journal, etc.

For a few weeks, I’d be able to do it but then go back to my old “routine” that I was unconscious of.

My biggest regret is thinking I’ll be just fine as long as I do my job at work and get my regular paychecks.

I thought I deserved to “rest” and do nothing whenever I’m not at work.

I kept reading and experimenting with what would help me sustain a healthy routine.

It took me two years to realize it was simple.

Forget that it’s 2024 and live like your grandmother.

My grandmother’s mornings consist of:

• Getting sunlight first thing in the morning
• No annoying alarm clocks and gadgets
• Bonus: Drinking coffee

When you spend the first few minutes doing this, you prepare your mind and body for anything. It sets the tone for the rest of your day.

There’s no resistance.

You don’t need to make a conscious effort to improve your mood and energy level.

The morning sunlight boosts your mood and improves your circadian rhythm. This means you can get better sleep at night. You also wake up feeling energized.

If there’s only one thing you can do to improve your life, pick morning sunlight exposure.

Having fun at the end of the day.

There is only one thing that matters at the end of the day:

Did you do your best?

So I take a few minutes to reflect on how I did.

I like to bring out my journal and rate my day when I do this. Then I ask myself how I can do better the next day.

I prepare for my sleep by reducing my screen time and dimming my lights one hour before bed.

Going to bed on time is also a struggle for me.

I set my phone so it wouldn’t let me use any apps one hour before bed. I then leave it outside the room.

I also learned how to make my evening routine as enjoyable as possible:

• Warm shower
• Light up incense or use essential oils
• Tuck myself into bed with a good book

Just like that, the morning takes care of itself.

I wake up from the sunlight, get up immediately, hydrate, then take a walk outside for a few minutes.

I go back feeling ready to do activities that are good for my body and mind.

It’s way easier to meditate, journal, exercise, and write when my mind and body are primed.

Being present throughout the day.

The Power Of Now is one of the most impactful books I’ve read.

I figured that most of my unhappiness is because I’m always in a hurry.

I’m in a hurry to travel the world.

I’m in a hurry to make more money.

I’m in a hurry to build my own family.

I’m in a hurry to get to the next destination.

I’m in a hurry to do the next task on my to-do list.

And so on.

I forget to enjoy the moment.

Tej dosa said it best:

So I take a conscious effort to watch myself from afar. I observe my thoughts. I become more aware of my behavior and reactions.

I give importance to the what matters most: the present moment.

More From Me

If you want to get weekly tips on building a mini one-person business, join 100+ beginner creators here (FREE).