Every single morning the first thing I do when I get up is I pee….with an audience of pets….and then I brush my teeth.  That little tiny habit is important because it sets me up for the rest of my day.

Once I brush my teeth there is no going back to bed for five more minutes. I am up for the rest of the day.

I never really thought about that before. I never really thought about how that one little tiny step in my day is what sets me up for success.

The rest of my morning goes by in blur. It’s such a set routine that if it varies: I am cranky. Brush teeth, let dogs out, feed dogs, let dogs back in, make coffee, make tea, mix my pre-work out and then thirty minutes of me time. And then…the rush of getting everyone in the house going and getting ready for the day.  I often feel like once I brush my teeth , I am on the hamster wheel and there is no getting off.

My habits have changed over the years. I love the snooze button but the annoying sound of the it going off every seven minutes get me moving out of bed. That and my dog needs to do her routine. She is actually the true motivator.

If I leave one step out; the whole day feels like something is missing. I may be boarder line obsessed and the fear of not getting it right gets in the way. I have to give myself permission to miss a step and tell myself that it isn’t the end of the world.

Even though it feels like it.

Habits.

Oddly enough, I don’t have any habits I consider “bad.” I don’t chew on my nails. I don’t pick my nose and I don’t shut off a light switch one hundred times before I can leave a room.  I do pick up my phone. A lot.  Nine times in an hour. I simply pick up my phone. That may be one I need to work on.

There are probably other habits. The ones that I need to work on, however they are getting smaller and  smaller as I accept myself.

I don’t put myself down as much. I remember that I am only human. That has taken a habit of self talk, many podcasts, God, and lots of personal development. I also surround myself with people who lift me up. I  listen to how I speak to my daughter. I fill her up with all the good things about herself because I believe in her that much, so shouldn’t I take the same advice?

Just for today I am going to sip my coffee, while it’s still hot, and think about all the good habits in my life. I like to look for the bright side in everything and everyone, and I don’t think that’s a bad habit.  Maybe today you do the same.