My Morning Routine
I am having one of those days where nothing goes as I expect or plan and I feel behind schedule and it's not even nine a.m. When this happens, I feel stressed out and out of sorts. But then, who doesn't feel like that? I had some technical difficulties on my computer (I think I solved them). Also an appointment for early this morning was woefully late not due to me, however, all is well. For now. Gee whiz!
Can you see spring time in my photos? Ah, not only are there blooms everywhere I turn, we had two days in the 90s. What the hell? I had my AC going and sadly could not even bare to crack a window open because the fresh spring air was absent. Starting today, the temps will go down and we will once again revert back to regularly expected seasonal weather.
This week I've really felt the benefits of six months of gym going. I feel stronger and my back has been the best it's ever been. Truly, a miracle! I can lift that toddler and squat and well do just about anything within reason. I've committed to another three months and can't wait to see more results. I'm only going to keep getting stronger.
I've eaten a salad a day for more than two weeks. I'm becoming a little rabbit - lately I like black olives, sunflower seeds, avocado and a chopped hard boiled egg amongst my greens. I've been buying red leave or green leaf lettuce which tastes so good.
My morning routine seems to set my frame of mind for the day. I wake up, make the coffee. With a cup in hand, I sit and write in my journals. One journal is a daily write of the day before and whatever I'm thinking about, I also write my gratitudes at the end. The other journal is more of a prompt or a memory of my past or a reflection on a topic. I read and recite my morning prayers then sketch out a list of what I'd like to accomplish.
Do I accomplish what I list? No. Sometimes. It all depends on what is happening during the day. However, I have it documented so if not today maybe tomorrow. I love that I can rarely forget something.
I keep a calendar planner and a handy notebook for listing.
Sure, I could compile these various notebooks into one, but I like to have separate notebooks for separate tasks. That is what works for me. What does not work for me is to keep appointments in my phone. I don't like it - I LOVE pen and paper the most.
So, do you like pen and paper? or are you digital? Do you have planners? notebooks? or are you flying by the seat of your pants when it comes to appointments or tasks?
I'd love to know!
I tried digital but it doesn’t work for me. I am a paper and pen person but I have two mornings each week when I can’t seem to stick to my routine because I need to leave the house 40 minutes earlier than the other days. I am working on it. I three notebooks - mostly because I am trying out some different sizes. And Karen, I just love your posts with all your thoughts and questions. Thanks so much.
ReplyDeletePAPER!! I do admit, there are appointmets in my phone but.......they are put on paper too. My journals are my god-send. I too keep multiple journals. Thank you for validating my way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteHopefully your spring air will last for a while. We are heading to 107F this weekend. I think our spring is done lol.
I am a combination of digital and paper. Paper for everyday, and digital for appointments - it works for me!
ReplyDeleteI like pen and paper. I use a day planner and have a journal for lists and one for thoughts. Sometimes my day planner becomes a diary. I've tried digital for appointments, but it just doesn't work for me.
ReplyDeleteYour day sounds lovely and spring is so beautiful sprouting all around you. I am all about paper and pen, lists and more lists. That is the only way I function. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteKaren, what is the name of that bush with the yellow blooms? It is so pretty! I've never seen it before.
ReplyDeleteI use both digital and a day planner for appointments! It helps to have it on my phone when I am out and about but also love using my day planner with its monthly view so I can see if I am trying to do too much on any given week. In addition I have a journal for inspirational reading reflections and a smaller one for whatever online course I am taking. Like you, I love pen and paper above everything else! xx
the bush is a tree and it is a sassafras tree :)
DeleteThank you! It is such a neat tree! (I love that we are each sitting in our homes answering one another's blog comments, lol!)
DeleteOne day we will meet for reals :)
DeleteFingers are crossed!
DeletePen and paper for the win! Even when I put something in a digital calendar (like at work) I still write it in my paper calendar.
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend!
Love your violets showing up! We have more than ever this year.
ReplyDeleteAppointments at work are on my Outlook Calendar...because that's how they come in, plus I have my two bosses calendars on line. But, personally? Pen and paper. Appointments go on the kitchen calendar hanging on the wall by the (old fashioned) house phone. Grocery lists? On the pad of paper that is on the frig. Plus I love pretty pens and pretty journals and nice paper, etc.
Hope your weekend is wonderful. We should be getting some storms tonight to help cool things down a bit. We went from Winter to Summer in a Flash and it is hard to cope.
Im nearly 100 % paper. You'd laugh if you saw the free little purse calendar I am using this year. I try to keep the same things on my phone but I get behind there.
ReplyDeleteSorry your a.m. started out wonky.
Enjoy those signs of Spring and have a great weekend. Oh, and I am a paper calendar fan.
ReplyDeleteI do both. Digital (with reminders) for my calendar. But my to-do list and my grocery list are written on paper.
ReplyDeleteWhen we were in the apartment, I was very organized. I had a whiteboard calendar that hung in our kitchen and everybody was color coded. Then we moved and I flew by the seat of my pants. I've started using a planner this year because I wanted to be more productive craftwise. It worked at first but now it's by my mood. Generally though, I'm a pen and paper girl where I write down my lists and whip out that piece of paper when I'm shopping. I've been wanting to eat more salads but romaine is my favorite leaf to eat. Even organic I'm scared to eat; every time I see an article about the e. coli breakout I cringe.
ReplyDeleteI am a pen and paper fan, whilst Gerard uses digital typing everything into his phone. I am a great fan of a list and have a list for a list...
ReplyDeleteI keep my appointments (and my mother's) in my phone with some of them (those that aren't weekly) making it to my calendar so that my husband knows what is happening in my week. My grocery list and to-do lists are on paper. Congrats on the gym progress. I am debating joining for the summer, but I might just restart my walking routine for now. I too really enjoy red and green-leaf lettuce. I have salad a couple a days a week for lunch but I prefer chicken, nuts and craisins on mine.
ReplyDeletePen and paper for me - I started a Traveler's Notebook last summer and it's proved the perfect solution - I have four little notebooks (calendar, lists, daily journal and prayers) in the one leather folio. Kind of the best separate, but together, if that makes sense.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy hearing about your routine for the day. I use both ways of calendaring. I love pen and paper, too. I have a calendar I can make notes on for the day with a place for extensive notes (if needed) on the following page. I also put the appointments or events on my phone so I can check in, or add, if I'm out and about. I would like to get into the practice of daily journaling, but never quiet find the time or want to put in the effort.
ReplyDeleteI am a digital person. If my planner would ding me when an appt is up I would stay with paper and pen. LOL! But I still keep a planner in the kitchen for the family to consult or add their items to.
ReplyDeletePen and paper for me, but even with them it's hard for me to stay organized. I was so happy to see your sassafras tree! Every spring my grandmother and I would go out and dig sassafras roots to make tea; she said it made the best "spring tonic" and I think she was right!
ReplyDeleteI am a pen and paper gal. Right after I retired I wasn't sure if I wanted to continue to keep a calendar but after forgetting a few things, I decided to go back to a paper calendar with a week on each page. I sit down with the calendar and bills to be paid by check on Sunday afternoon and make sure I have the next week's events recorded. Then I add in the bigger cleaning chores and a time for grocery shopping and errands. If I didn't get something done one week, it goes into the next week. I usually journal in the morning. I keep two other small books, one lists books to read and the other I sometimes write in after I get into bed - an "evening note" about something good that happened that day. Goodness - I got long winded here.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely pen and paper for lists, especially lists of "have to dos." There is something very satisfying about crossing things off as I complete things I need to do. A lot more satisfying than hitting a delete key. :-)
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your gym attendance. It really, really does make a wonderful difference, and the stronger you are, the less likely you are to injure yourself doing normal everyday tasks. You keep at it!!!
Have a wonderful week ahead!
paper, pen for me, too.....although most of the time i'm jotting on scraps of papers!!!! not nearly as organized as you are!!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteWe were talking about this at a meeting I attended today. Some of us took out phones and some took out our diaries. I use both but I prefer my diary, however when I change handbags I always remember my phone but not the diary! For notes and lists I use a small notebook. That yellow shrub is very pretty.
ReplyDelete