Start off on a Positive Note
A great way to start every morning off on a positive note is to prepare the night before. Every night I set aside time to look at my calendar for the next day, map out my day, and prepare for whatever is necessary (picking out my outfit for work ahead of time, grocery shopping, packing my lunch, etc.). There is nothing worse than waking up and feeling rushed or unprepared, so I always try to set myself up for success in the morning. So far this year I’ve taken five minutes each morning to write in my gratitude journal. Every morning before even looking at my phone, I write down three things I’m thankful for, and three things that would make my day great. This has been such an easy way for me to start my day thinking positively.
Do Something That Brings You Joy
I think it’s really important to do at least one thing for yourself each day. Whether it’s doing a face mask or taking the day off from work and heading to the beach. I always make sure I do something that brings me joy earlier in the day if I can. It’s a great mood booster and sets the rest of the day off on a good note. Another great way to set aside time for yourself is planning to do something at the end of the day. I also like looking forward to something all day so sometimes I treat myself with takeout from my favorite restaurant, taking a long shower, or going shopping. One of my favorite mid-day pick me ups is walking to Starbucks on a nice day because it gets me outside and getting my favorite coffee always makes me happy.
Get Outside
I found during the pandemic, that making time to get outside really is the easiest way to have a more positive day. In New England our months of nice weather are pretty limited, but I definitely capitalize on any nice day when I can. Getting outside to sit in the sun for a little bit or walking around the city on my break always makes my day better. When I was working in the office, I made it a point to leave my desk and walk around outside on most days, even in the winter. There has never been a time that I got outside for fresh air and wish I hadn’t. It’s the easiest way to instantly boost your mood, clear your mind, and contribute to an overall better day.
Do Something That Makes You Feel Productive
One of the best ways to make me feel like I’m having a good day is by feeling productive. Whether it’s with work or life, I always like accomplishing things. Checking to-do’s off my list really motivates me so once I complete one task, it has a cascading affect on the rest of my day. I try to complete a small task earlier in the day to keep the momentum going. Whether it’s completing a task for work or doing a load of laundry. Sometimes blow drying your hair or getting yourself ready is all I need to feel like I did something productive! I will say there are some days where doing something productive just feels impossible and that’s okay. If taking a break is going to be what makes your day more positive, then go for it!
Stop Sweating the Small Stuff
I can’t even count how many days I let get ruined by not letting go of something that was out of my control. Luckily, I don’t have a problem letting things roll off my back now—but it definitely took some time to get to this place. My biggest piece of advice is to not let a bad part of your day ruin the whole thing. Finding a way to acknowledge ‘yeah that sucked’ and truly move on from it is the best skill you can have in my opinion. Don’t let a good mood be wasted by something that only makes up a fraction of your whole day—it’s not worth it!
