I love the comfort of daily life's routines:

things like being able to read a paper on the subway.

It's no accident that my favourite word is 'quotidian.'

Elizabeth Strout

On our last day, I invite you to create two lovely rituals in your day, one that you will do first thing in the morning and one ritual last thing at night. We often get frazzled during the day, between all out commitments, stressed people around us and the news, not forgetting the unexpected and our chaotic mind! 

The Dalai Lama says, "Calm mind brings inner strength and self-confidence, so that's very important for good health." and Cyril Connolly says, "The secret of success is to be in harmony with existence, to be always calm to let each wave of life wash us a little farther up the shore.", so whatever you are looking for at this point in your life, chances are calm will support your efforts.

We absolutely need calm in our life and because most of our days are a battle against the world and ourselves, it is up to us to carve out pockets of tranquility. I'd like to make sure that you have at least two of them every day, the most two important ones, first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

As an early riser, I am always fascinated by people who come out of their house rushing to make their train or bus. I could never start my day stressed because I am late. No matter what job I have held or time I had to leave the house, I would always allow myself plenty of time to get ready and enjoy a calm breakfast. The first thing I do changes from time to time. It can be Pilates stretches, Morning Pages or simply a cup of tea. These first few minutes of my day are calm and mine. No matter how difficult the day will be, this cannot be taken away from me.

How do you start your day? How would you like to start your day? Do you need to wake up earlier? Is there a morning practice you would like to adopt? What one thing can you do in the morning that would have a big impact on the rest of your day?

Last thing at night I drink a mint and verbena tea. I have done so all my life and bring tea bags when I travel. This is a cue for my body and mind to relax. No matter what happened during the day, I get to go back to my anchor of tranquility, something permanent in this impermanent world. Then I listen to a sleep story on my Calm app. I fall asleep peacefully regardless of the difficulties I've encountered that day. 

How do you close the day and signal to your body and mind that all is well in this moment? What ritual could you adopt? Read a poem or a spiritual text? Write three things you are grateful for or proud of achieving that day? What ritual would help you fall peacefully asleep?

Thank you very much for joining in this New Year, Fresh Start 7-day challenge! Let's make 2023 a year of personal choices and progress so that, regardless of what happens in the world, we get to have some control over the way we live our life.

I wish you success, joy and good health.

http://valeriemarsh.com