In the initial days of the COVID physical distancing measures, I found it necessary to develop good habits. To adapt to the new normal, I needed to get beyond operating in default mode. I stopped working and the school semester had just ended a week before. Like many others, I didn’t have structure to my day. But I finally had the mental space to reflect on the bad habits I had developed over time.
Luckily, I was off to a good start – I had placed an order for a weekly meal prep kit 2 weeks prior and it got delivered during the wave of panic buying. I was so grateful that I could cook nourishing and balanced meals without going to the grocery store. I also scheduled daily walks in the evening with my neighbours. I worked on an overdue assignment and broke it up into many small parts. But I still held onto some bad habits – I woke up late and watched a lot of Netflix.
Something shifted after 3 weeks since the shutdown of non-essential services – I became acutely aware of the habits I needed to develop in order to reach my short-term goals. I had more mental clarity than I had six months ago. Since the start of CMPW I’d been feeling overwhelmed trying to balance the intense workload with an 18-hour work week. I also felt disappointed in myself for not being able to grasp learning anything related to collaborative technology tools, software functions and applications. And, being a procrastinator did not help either.
On top of this, I developed a horrific sleep schedule and bad study habits – I attempted to pull all night study sessions, consumed too many energy drinks and junk food, and did not get any exercise. For years, I worked in retail full-time and I got used to work schedule that varied every single week. My shifts would sporadically change from day shifts to evening shifts. My sleep schedule continued to be thrown off by my procrastination. So, as I contemplated how I could stick to a routine and wake up earlier in the morning, I realized I needed to re-train my brain to develop better habits.
Awareness of bad habits
Sleeping past 12am and waking up late had become a repetitive cycle. Since physical distancing began, I wasn’t stuck in a rut anymore. I didn’t have any stress in my life. There was no fear of missing out. I faced a blank slate. So, I had to pay attention to my maladaptive routine. Waking up earlier one morning and going for a walk shortly after, I felt more mentally drained and tired in the evening. Removing myself from my phone, not working in my room, and changing into an actual set of pyjamas prompted me to feel more relaxed. Avoiding sugary foods and alcohol before bed also helped me wake up more refreshed the next day.
Creativity as a discipline
In her instructional book, “The Creative Habit,” renowned dancer and choreographer Twyla Tharp explains the necessity of performing rituals to kickstart your routine. With a lifetime of expertise, she explains that a routine will prompt the creative juices to flow, especially during moments when inspiration doesn’t strike. The premise of her book is that being creative involves discipline and hard work. Tharp starts her day at 5:30am every morning with an early morning workout. When she’s ready to leave her apartment, she calls for a cab to take her to the gym. For her, the ritual is calling for the cab, not actually arriving at the gym. Once she’s called the cab the ritual is complete. The ritual is the cue to prime you for the activity you plan on doing.
Jumpstart the mind with the body
Tharp’s exercise routine offers benefits beyond the physical – her routine helps to jumpstart her mind. Other highly productive people suggest engaging in micro-levels of exercise to maintain energy levels instead of indulging in distractions. Getting the endorphins up also helps to relieve stress and anxiety.
Setting an intention
A friend tells me that every evening she sets 2 measurable goals for herself to complete the next day. And, she also writes in her gratitude journal. In her book, “The Sleep Revolution,” Arianna Huffington explains that you need to “work down” your day in order to get ready for the next. That means turning off all devices at least 30 minutes before bed time and starting to relax hours before you plan to get shut eye. For procrastinators like me, we know what we should be doing, but often the difficult part is getting started. Staring at a blank page, screen, and empty room can be daunting, but liberating at the same time. The hope is that by changing our habits we can gain greater control over the trajectory of our lives.