I’ve been doing a lot of work around making small changes to my day-to-day life. As someone who has constantly set out to boil the ocean, this is a BIG deal.

Since buying into the idea that small habits compound into big changes, I’ve found myself fascinated by making simple changes to my routine—drinking lemon water first thing in the morning, making meal plans, and journaling for ten minutes when I wake up before doing anything else. 

Through this process, I’ve learned that what we’re avoiding is probably what we need the most. 

A part of me feels like by focusing on these tiny things, I’m taking time away from my big plans. But the time I used to spend thinking about big goals for my future—at night, on a Sunday, when I’m instead writing this—was time I was critiquing how I’ve been doing as a leader, as a mother, as a wife, as a woman. When I’ve let my big plans take center stage instead of thinking about the small, direct things I can do to take care of myself and my family, it’s only been to my detriment; in those instances, I put myself on trial with my inner critic and judge and jury. 

Taking stock of the little things is the exact opposite of boiling the ocean. It’s about looking forward to what is right in front of you, like what you’ll eat for breakfast or what you plan to wear in the morning.

Taking stock of the little things is the exact opposite of boiling the ocean. It’s about looking forward to what is right in front of you. . .

Now that implementing small, incremental habits has become a central goal of mine, I’ve shifted my entire outlook on how I spend my mornings.

5 Small Morning Rituals I Swear By

1. Visualize what you want out of your day.

If you’re like me, you might not realize you’re winging it 90% of the time. I would wake up and let whatever email or metaphorical fire was burning brightest dictate what was the highest priority. Problems arise when we don’t connect with ourselves and articulate what kind of day we need. Not only is it impossible to tackle all the tasks that require our attention, but it also becomes difficult to find time for self-care and family.

2. Practice being present and conscious of the moment.

You can do this through meditation or while you’re making breakfast. The point is to observe yourself and take note of the tiny details around you. This practice helps me connect with myself and find gratitude for all I often take for granted.

3. Write morning pages.

Morning pages are essentially long-form journal entries that consist of your stream-of-consciousness thoughts. There is no wrong way to do them and they are for your eyes only. I like this practice as a way to remove any lingering negativity around what could go wrong during the day. It helps me acknowledge the negative thoughts without giving them the power to control the rest of my day.

4. Say self-affirmations.

Self-affirmations have been scientifically proven to work, especially for those working toward a focused future vision. Saying affirmations out loud can help set the day off on the right track, aligning your motivation with purpose and preparing you to face any challenges that might derail your progress.

5. Keep a photo log.

Taking a photo is another way to connect with the present moment before you begin your day. You can use an app or simply create an album on your phone to collect the image from each day. It could be a selfie, or perhaps the view from the porch with your coffee. It doesn’t need to be perfect or edited in any way. It might be the easiest kind of diary to create that will also be enjoyable to revisit years later. After all, the small moments matter too.

Kate Arends

Kate is the founder of Wit & Delight. She is currently learning how to play tennis and is forever testing the boundaries of her creative muscle. Follow her on Instagram at @witanddelight_.