I guess we all wake up with a different mindset than we used to, due to the pandemic. But what are the first thoughts to enter your mind as you open your eyes and your day begins to come into focus? The answer to that question may be impacting a lot more than you think.
First off, I'm sure most of us aren't getting enough sleep. As a child I used to hate sleeping, and if there's one thing I've learned as an adult, it's that we're ALL tired, ALL the time. With a lot of our lives, the wiggle room for extra sleep doesn't really exist. So we wake up tired, cursing ourselves for staying up to eat a 2AM snack and binging season 4 of that Netflix show the night before. Then we start to collect ourselves as our eyes adjust to the unforgiving light that's peering through our windows. That's the point when your thoughts really start to matter. Are you waking up stressed and dreading the day ahead, or are you looking at it as an opportunity to accomplish a ton of tasks?
There's an old saying: "Life is 10% of what happens to us, and 90% of how we react to it." There's no sugar-coating the fact that we're going to have some tough days. We're going to be busy, and it's going to seem like there's no way to knock out all of the many things we have to do on a given day. Life is going to throw more responsibilities on your already crowded plate. But how do you consume a plate when it's full? One bite at a time.
Instead of waking up thinking "Oh God, this day is going to suck," try thinking "I'm lucky to be alive and to have the ability to do these things," and "I have a lot to do today, let's start with this thing first." Granted, I'm not trying to minimalize people's personal struggles or anxieties. But simple things like recounting your blessings and organizing a schedule can make an insurmountable day feel like an accomplished one. First, think about the positive things in your life. Whether it's family, friends, pets, health, art, or whatever, we all have things to be thankful for. That alone is worth taking a deep breath and marinating in. Secondly, making a formal list of your tasks and taking them one at a time makes a huge difference. You'll be able to focus better on a singular job, and you'll start to feel lighter as you cross things off throughout the day.
It all comes back to that opening thought. Again, I know that mental health and trauma are far more complex than telling yourself it'll be okay. But starting your day off with the thought that it's going to suck, almost always ensures that it will. Attitude makes an impact, and your mind can be a self-fulfilling prophecy. If you take the time to appreciate you, and find a system that works for your productivity, you'll have a greater sense of pride and achievement. Starting your day off with a "Big day ahead, let's kick its butt" goes a long way toward a healthier mind and body. I wish you all productive days ahead.
Love yourselves, and each other,
-Jason Burke
