AM Routines based on energy levels

Posted on January 20, 2022 by Bhanu Misra Marya

Have you ever noticed how you feel at certain times of the day compared to other times of the day.

Or maybe you have times of the day where you are more productive or have more clarity.

You may not have realized but how you feel, how productive you are, or when you are thinking most clearly – is directly related to your energy levels.

Considering this, you might know exactly when your high energy time of the day is. I’m definitely a morning person – and love to get things done in the morning.

But not all days are the same. On occasion, I may wake up feeling like my energy is off. But even on those days I still want to be productive or have ideas that I want to execute on – I just can’t get to it (like there is a disconnect between my willpower and my ambition!)

When this happens, it’s important to acknowledge that energy, instead of attempting to force yourself to work through it. So creating routines to help you work efficiently during different energy levels can make a world of a difference.

What I love about this idea, is that you can still feel accomplished at the times when you don’t want to accomplish anything. This is a great system to put in place for yourself so you can get out of your head and execute.

I’ve created an AM routine list based on energy levels (and will definitely develop another for PM routines).

Hopefully this will inspire you to take a look at how you can optimize how you work through your energy levels.

Start your new year right

Posted on December 19, 2021 by Bhanu Misra Marya

It’s around this time of year that we see a lot of gift guides online. And as important and lovely giving the perfect present to someone can be – it can also be crazy stressful (hence said gift guides appear all over the interwebs).

And I know there are people like me that need to “get warmed up” for holiday shopping by treating themselves to something nice first ;)

A few weeks ago I shared some thoughts about systems. All the items below help me create routines (or systems). Having systems in place can be helpful when coping with change, creating healthy habits, being more mindful and knowing yourself better.

So here is the treat yo-self/start your (new) year RIGHT gift list for YOU! Sharing a list of items to help you create systems! (Of course, you can start doing these things without these items – but a visual ALWAYS helps!).

Skin care: The first step to self care is about develop and maintain a healthy relationship with yourself. Honestly sometimes, you must demand that time of yourself. Putting yourself first is important so you can find balance with the other priorities of your life. Either an AM or PM skin care routing (or both) can be both soothing for your skin and for your mood. It just feels good to pamper yourself and having a consistent routine for your face (even if it’s just wash/moisturize daily and a weekly face mask) can make that happen for you.
Dress to impress (for yourself): Don’t do it for anyone but you. Dressing up (even for WFH or on a lazy Sunday) helps you build consistency and confidence. Whether it’s a fresh pair leggings and a tunic style sweater, a beachy waves hair do or hoops and a red lip – get dressed for yourself. I always feel more organized when I’m not sitting in two day old gym clothes or when I have all my rings, layered necklaces and bracelets on (haha, don’t ask).
Manifest: Which also includes meditation, journaling, affirmations, vision boarding and just being mindful overall. These activities are considered enduring systems, because they can help one reap long term benefits with permanent effects. What helps me is having a variety of journals (blanked, lined and prompts) and pretty pens – and I naturally gravitate towards this system.
Water & Smoothies: I recently got back on smoothies. I love them because they are easy to eat, help with digestion and it’s a quick way to eat a variety of fruits/veggies. Even better when it’s is a smoothie bowl. Having a smoothie for breakfast or dinner has become a comfort now. I rather mindless sip a smoothie then a bag of chips.
Wake up & Plan your day: Planning has become essential to me. I’ve gotten really good at weekly and daily planning but I’m working on going macro to micro (2-3yrs – today). I have my direction which guides me, but I really want to get more strategic.
Feed your mind: Read, listen to podcasts/ted talks, take micro learnings. This is something that I do when I feel in a funk. Reading and learning is essential for building self esteem, improving memory and reducing stress. It’s also great for when you are feeling stuck, because it can light up your imagination and help get those innovation juices flowing.

That girl mentality & systems

Posted on November 26, 2021 by Bhanu Misra Marya

Focus on you, and you grow. Focus on sh!t, and sh!t grows – read that again // anonymous

I’ve always known that good routines, habits and the ability to re-focus are important to me.

And I also know I’m a visual person so consistently practicing and seeing my goals in front me does wonders (it’s all about tricking the mind to believe what the heart and soul want are real).

aka #manifest

With all that said, recently stumbled upon the hashtag #thatgirl

If you haven’t heard or seen it, this hashtag has been trending on instagram, youtube & tiktok by that girl as a way to manifest wellness.

The best way to describe it is as a highlight real (like everything else online lol) – but these highlight reels combine artfully crafted wellness video snippets focused on habits that show the person eating healthy, partaking in fitness activities and making progress towards their goals (ie: school, work etc).

There is a lot of talk about how #thatgirl perpetuates a toxic unattainable lifestyle. But I don’t if I see it entirely like that..

Being a visual person and someone who can peel themselves away from the internet – I actually find this trend both aesthetically pleasing and inspiring. I also know that sometimes the day can get away from you and life is full of peaks and valleys.

So how do you focus on your own development while navigating everyday life? Hint the #ThatGirl trend hits it right on the head!

˙ʎɐpʎɹǝʌǝ slɐoɓ ɹnoʎ spɹɐʍoʇ ssǝɹɓoɹd oʇ sɯǝʇsʎs uı ʇnd noʎ ǝɹns ǝʞɐɯ no⅄˙˙˙

Re-aligning to your goals at certain times during the year (months or quarters) helps to keep you connected to your yearly goals. OR (like in my situation) help your get back on track. Systems are activities that focus on the journey as opposed to the end destination.

Systems ensure you find joy in the little things.

Systems ensure that those daily habits become the little steps that will turn into a giant leap.

Systems keep us inspired.

Systems help us stay disciplined, especially on the days, we don’t want to do anything.

Systems can inspire us mentally/spiritually/physically.

Systems help us romanticize our life.

39 Laps (around the sun & running track)

Posted on October 29, 2021 by Bhanu Misra Marya

Last week I celebrated my 39th birthday! I took the day for myself and did all the important things that matter to me to me most. Outside of regular adulting/mom duties – here is how I spent the day…

I woke up, meditated & journaled.

Ran 15.6km (exactly 39 laps around a highschool race track*)

Went grocery shopping and donated it all to the food bank.

Picked up my birthday freebies at Sephora and Starbucks

Came home read a little then watch SATC

After school, the fambam sang happy birthday and the girls ate cupcakes

Had a quick photoshoot ;)

Lastly went to dinner!

Here is a quick video about my special day!

*You might remember I set up this goal for myself earlier this year!

Sensory Calming Techniques

Posted on December 14, 2020 by Bhanu Misra Marya

I recently came across this easy calming technique using only your 5 senses!

Sensory activities have proven benefits for children such as increased self esteem and improved emotional well being. So why wouldn’t this also work for adults (with a few tweaks of course!)

For me I usually do one activity that combines all at least 3 of the 5 senses (like going for an outdoor run or setting up and taking pretty photos). But the perspective of doing only 1 thing really speaks to the mindfulness and being present when doing a single calming activity.

So the next time you are looking for some calming activities or need to reduce anxiety after a stressful event consider these 5 techniques to awaken your senses and relax…

Smell: Light a scented candle

Sound: listen to songs that make you nostalgic

Taste: drink a mint or lavender tea

Touch: Hold hands or cuddle a pet

Sight: Look up at the sky

How to be a good mom? (it’s not what you think)

Posted on May 12, 2019 by Bhanu Misra Marya

Who agrees with me that we should rename mothers day to Mother Figures day.

We need to be more understanding to the people who don’t have a mom, to the people who’s relationship with their mom is strained at best, to the people who dread this day because it makes them feel inferior, to the people who’s dad’s, grand parent, step parent, foster parent, aunt/uncle are mother figures, to the mom’s who just want a moment of quiet without the feelings of guilt and definitely to the mom’s who don’t think they are doing anything right (when they are actually doing everything right!)

If there is anything I’ve learned in the almost 5 years of being a mom is that it’s a thankless job. It’s both exhilarating and anxiety inducing. It’s a job where you have to be flexible and ready to change to keep growing and build something real. It’s a job where you have to remain calm when everything is chaotic. A job where transparent communication are critical to success. A job where you have to lead with love (especially on the days you want to punch a wall or throw your coffee mug at a window).

But with all that said it doesn’t take a certain type of person, certain type of pregnancy, birth experience or even a certain type of upbringing to be a good mom.

To be a good mom you just have be a good human.

So if you are a good human or you know a good human who deserves a treat (mom, mom figure or non mom) hopefully you can find some inspiration below :)

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