My morning routine changes quite often depending on my job or the season. Today I am sharing with you a rough outline of a typical morning for me as an unemployed 23-year old. I have been out of work for about six months now as a result of the Covid-19 virus. Many people, including you as the reader, can understand that this experience is an absolute whirlwind of emotions. Yet, it paves the way for a unique pivoting point in life. At times, days are filled with fun, frustration, and above all, regular introspection and questioning life decisions.
What To Do When Unemployed: After having all this time to finally put my energy towards what I truly want, I began to realize the importance of starting your day on a good note. Consistent rejections from jobs can be disheartening and cause self-doubt, but forming a concrete foundation that is a morning routine will be a catalyst to success on the road to employment. After reading, I hope you feel inspired to create a morning routine that works best for you.
Realistically Building the Best Morning Routine
Building the best morning routine for you really comes down to adapting the routine to your needs and not the needs of others. For example, if you’re morning doesn’t call for an hour-long meditation or waking up at 5 am every day then don’t do it! What drives success for you isn’t going to be the same as someone else. You don’t need to eat these exact foods or exercise for 30 mins every day. Find out what works for you and uniquely drives your successes. What’s most important is you stick to something you know you can do long term.
By no means is my morning routine perfect, and neither should yours be because let’s face it, life gets in the way. Not every day is going to be the same, and not every routine has to be perfect. Over time you’ll see what works for you and what doesn’t and be able to create a routine that suits your needs!
My Morning Routine Begins
7:30 am
Lately, I have been waking up around this time and it makes me feel a lot more productive during the day. I try to go to bed and wake up at the same time which helps my sleep quality.
8:00 am
Around this time I head to the bathroom to splash some water on my face, cleanse my skin with micellar water, and brush my teeth. I also start sipping on some cold water to re-hydrate.
8:15 am
Breakfast time! I am a huge breakfast person. I can’t start my day without something in my stomach. You guys know how much I love matcha but to be honest with you I don’t have it every day! Tea or coffee, however, I do. This is around the time where I would start heating up some water for whatever warm beverage I choose. For breakfast, one of my favorite things to make is peanut butter banana toast, or scrambled eggs with spinach. I always try to fill my breakfast with nutrient-dense foods that help me stay full the entire morning.
8:30 am
Something I try to do is put on workout clothes even if I’m not working out right away so that way I don’t have an excuse later. Even if it’s not “normal clothes”, the act of getting dressed in something other than my pajamas motivates me to be more productive. After I change, I open up my laptop and start chipping away.
Lately, I have been filling my time with writing and brainstorming new blog posts. My blog has been at a steady pace for the past few months and seeing this growth is motivating me to write more. In the morning I usually research trends, write blog posts, create graphics, or take photos depending on the day. While I love having this platform, I’m still on the hunt for a full-time job. I am so fortunate to have this time to focus on my passions, but at the same time, I have other career goals that will always be at the top of my list.
How to Get Back to Work Amidst a Pandemic
Job searching can be exhausting, but it’s something almost everyone goes through at some point in their life. My routine for job searching usually starts by scrolling through the latest job boards and researching companies. Sometimes I schedule informational meetings with potential employers and other days I have interviews. One thing I like to do is prep for my interviews (trust me, you don’t want to forget this step). I have been faced with countless job rejections, and at times it can be overwhelming. But, I try to remind myself that for each rejection, it’s only pushing me to a better job in the long run. The key is consistency. Do not, and I repeat, DO NOT give up. Keep researching, networking, applying, and interviewing. While it’s going to be exhausting and discouraging at times, you will land a job.
11:00 am
After a few hours of “working” on my laptop, it’s finally time for a mental break. Some people like to work out before they start working, but since I have more time now, I like to do it after a few hours of work. Physical activity serves as a good mental break for me in the middle of the morning. That way I can carry on the rest of the day. My go-to workout lately has been yoga, but every once and awhile I will go to the gym for some cardio or weight lifting.
12:00 pm
I know it’s already noon but I still consider this to be apart of my morning routine. This is around the time I start to “get ready” although I really don’t do much to my appearance these days. Unless I am taking photos or meeting up with some friends, I spend most days makeup-free and my hair natural. And that’s okay because it has given my skin a much-needed break from makeup and my hair a vacation from heat styling every day. However, one thing is for sure, I always apply facial sunscreen in case I go outside later in the day.
That’s a wrap! I hope you found some morning routine ideas and inspiration for how you can get your day started, especially if you are unemployed. This time has been rough but if there’s one piece of advice I can share with you, it’s to keep moving forward every day no matter how incremental. Creating a morning routine can help, but don’t put so much pressure on yourself to be insanely productive during these times. Take your time and focus on what’s truly important to you and the right thing will come along.
