Week Twelve in Renewing Our Minds

We are nearing the end of our time in our Renewing Our Minds Study, and as we do, the goal will be to integrate what we have learned so that you can create habits that can become a part of your lifestyle now and into the future.

A lot of what we have talked about is the habits of the mind. Taking every thought captive. Continually renewing our minds. 

We have addressed so many ways how you can build habits to choose the thoughts that serve you best, knowing that your thoughts create your emotions, and your emotions influence your decisions, actions, and behaviors. 

With a strong foundation of scripture and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) principles, we now want to turn our attention to how you can build routines that set you up for success.

This week, we are going to focus on your morning routine!

First, let’s talk about the benefits of a morning routine

In a recent study, 90% of adults said that their morning routine sets the tone for the rest of their day. Meaning, 9 out of 10 of us realize that what we do or do not do first thing in the day can make us feel better about our entire day… or worse.

We aren’t going to spend a lot of time here on what makes a good routine, because we want it to be what works best for you.

“If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?”

Steve Jobs

It is said that if he answered that question with a “no” too often, it would be a sign that he needed to change something up. But the important thing is, he made each day important!

If you can seek to make each day important, you can begin to think about how you start the day with a bit more intention!

Now, let’s look at what ACT therapy says about how to create a morning routine

We’ve been talking about ACT therapy for weeks now, but a quick reminder about the underlying philosophy of ACT: 

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy is grounded in the idea that we can’t run away from difficult feelings, but when we choose to accept that life can be challenging, we can then learn to practice mindfully choosing to engage with life in a meaningful way even in spite of the challenges. The ultimate goal is psychological flexibility and creating a life of purpose by pursuing actions and behaviors that are grounded in our values. 

So what might an ACT-aligned morning routine look like? 

Begin with mindfulness

Instead of just popping up out of bed or getting on your phone, take just one or two minutes. This is a time to observe, without judgment. You might simply notice your breathing. You might become aware of your surroundings. You might choose to focus on the feeling of the bed under you or the sheets on top of you.

Set your intention

Now take just one more minute to connect with your values. Knowing what matters most to you, you may ask yourself, “What kind of person do I want to be today?” or “How do I want to interact with others today?” 

Practice gratitude or affirmations

In our time together we have discussed both of these, so you can check out the past two posts for more info!

This is a great chance to say a short prayer of gratitude or simply remind yourself of your affirmations. You may thank God for letting you see another day, for the opportunity to learn and grow closer to Him. It doesn’t have to take long to be meaningful! 

Self-compassion and acceptance

Recognize that your day may not go perfectly, and make a commitment to care for yourself through the highs and lows, leaning on prayer or mindfulness or taking a moment for yourself when you feel challenged. Acknowledge that challenges will likely happen, and affirm your ability to ride the waves.

Choose your next action, with intention and purpose, based on your values

All of that took only a couple of minutes, and you are now in a position to intentionally choose how you physically begin your day! Rather than beginning on social media, you began by connecting with your values and mindfully grounding yourself. Now that you are connected to your values, you are much more likely to choose an action that will make you feel that you are living in the way that feels the most authentic and meaningful to you!

Notice we didn’t say you had to read your Bible or work out? We didn’t- because we want you to choose for yourself what is the next best step!

Now, as always, let’s turn to scripture and see what we can learn about the value of being purposeful about our morning routines!

Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

Mark 1:35

In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;

    in the morning I lay my requests before you

    and wait expectantly.

Psalm 5:3

I rise before dawn and cry for help;

    I have put my hope in your word.

Psalm 119:147

She gets up while it is still night;

    she provides food for her family

    and portions for her female servants.

Proverbs 31:15

But I will sing of your strength,

    in the morning I will sing of your love;

for you are my fortress,

    my refuge in times of trouble.

Psalm 59:16

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

    for I have put my trust in you.

Show me the way I should go,

    for to you I entrust my life.

Psalm 143:8

Sow your seed in the morning,

    and at evening let your hands not be idle,

for you do not know which will succeed,

    whether this or that,

    or whether both will do equally well.

What are the common themes we see in scripture about the morning?

Rising early: getting a head start before the day gets busy.

Quiet and seclusion: getting away from others to focus and set intention

Prayer and worship: time with God, speaking with him, acknowledging his presence and power and strength, expressing gratitude

Preparation: organizing the day ahead, getting ahead to set the stage for the day

Now let’s turn our attention to what kind of morning routine you’d like to set!

First: start small. 

Make it about the first few minutes, then set a goal for your personal time that is reasonable. You can always build on it!

Second: determine what is a sensible time to spend with God that you can maintain.

You can always build on it!

Third: ask yourself “what can I do today that aligns with my values?”

Other ways to ask this: “what kind of person do I want to be today?”

“How do I want others to see me today?”

And our favorite: “What do I want to be able to say about my day when I go to sleep?” 

Now create your morning routine!

Think back to the ACT guidelines- it can be a routine that only takes a few minutes to start your day in the way that makes you feel productive, purposeful, and connected.

Or you can use a routine of a few minutes as a launching pad for a workout or your Bible study. 

Most importantly: make it your own, and be okay with adapting as you go!

Your morning routine should feel aligned with how you want to show up in the world, how you want to set your intention for your day, and make you feel more productive and purposeful.

It should not be a source of guilt or frustration. So, if you find that it doesn’t stick or parts of it don’t feel authentic, allow yourself to adapt.

Keep yourself accountable- or let your Ready to Hope group or a friend or two hold you accountable- and commit to the process! 

And as always, know that we are here for you! If you’d like to join our Ready to Hope Young Adult outpost at Mercy Road or just would like to connect with someone, please email us here! We love to hear from you!