#J001 - Navigating mornings and encouraging new challenges

20th of January 2025 to 27 of January 2025

Introduction

This week has been a mix of progress, challenges, and self-reflection. I’ve been working on staying consistent, pushing through discomfort in new activities, and learning to navigate social energy, while also facing obstacles like self-doubt and adjusting my routines. I made strides with my morning routine and tried new things, but I also noticed areas where I still struggle—like overcoming the initial challenge of getting out of bed for the gym. Overall, it’s been a week of learning and growth, setting me up for further consistency and authenticity next week.

My week at a glance

	Excellent	Good	Average	Testing	Difficult
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Sun

Key

Green: Excellent – A highly productive, positive, or fulfilling day.

Blue: Good – A solid day with meaningful progress or positive moments.

Yellow: Average – An okay day with no major highs or low or an equal balance of highs and lows.

Orange: Testing– A challenging day with some struggles, but lessons learned.

Red: Difficult – A very challenging day that felt overwhelming or unproductive

Achievements & Wins

What are you proud of achieving this week? Both big wins and small wins.

Holding boundaries: I stayed true to my standards, particularly when it came to my personal opinions, relationships and decisions. I made sure my "yes" meant yes and my "no" meant no, treating myself with more respect in the process. In the past, I might have backed down, but this week I held firm, and it felt like I was building trust in myself by doing so.
Trying new things: I ventured into new territories, like evening college classes, art classes, and new gym classes. Although it felt uncomfortable at times, I’m getting better at embracing the discomfort of being the “beginner” in the room. I’m excited to see what doors open from stepping out of my comfort zone.
Socialising responsibly: I didn’t overindulge with alcohol on Saturday night, which is a win for me. I would have probably stayed longer if given the option, but either way this is a win.

Challenges faced

What challenges or obstacles did you encounter this week?
1. What steps will you take to tackle this challenge?

Adjusting My Sleep Body Clock: I found it difficult to adjust to waking up earlier. Even though I was waking up at 5:30am, I didn’t feel tired until around 1am. I only managed to stick to the 5:30am wake-up for 2 out of 7 days, which may be why I didn't feel as fatigued as I expected.
1. Solution: I’m committing to a more consistent week of waking up at 5:30am every day to truly reset my body clock. By staying consistent, I hope to help my body naturally adjust to an earlier routine.
Going to the Gym Before Work: Once I was up and moving, it wasn’t too difficult to go to the gym. The real challenge for me was simply getting out of bed in the morning. Even if I only went to stretch, I was still happy with that small step forward to start my day. The key obstacle is just the initial act of getting up and moving, but once I’m up, the rest falls into place.
1. Solution: I plan to make waking up easier by preparing the night before—setting out gym clothes and having a clear plan. I’ll set a minimum target for success: simply getting to the gym, even if I only stretch. That’s perfectly fine as it allows me to build from there. Anything beyond stretching will be a bonus, helping to create momentum for future workouts.
Self-doubt in comparison to others: I noticed that I tend to feel negative about my progress when I’m not in the top half of the class. For example, I feel confident about my progress in my after-hours college course, but in art class, where I’m in the bottom half of performers, I struggle with self-doubt.
1. Solution: I’m going to continue embracing the discomfort and focus on practising without the pressure of being the best. I’ll remind myself that it’s okay to be a beginner and that improvement comes through consistent effort, not comparison. From now on, I’ll only compare myself to my past version, measuring growth through my own progress rather than how I stack up against others.
Knock-on Effect of Alcohol on Productivity: I noticed that drinking alcohol, especially on weekends, has a negative impact on my productivity during the following days. It can make it harder to focus, feel motivated, or even get into a productive mindset. The after-effects of drinking seem to linger longer than expected, affecting my ability to work efficiently.
1. Solution: I need to assess whether my drinking is driven by my core value of socialising and connecting more easily, or if it’s more about drinking to feel comfortable in the moment. This answer may vary from day to day, but reflecting on my intentions before drinking will help me make more conscious choices.

Lessons learned and trends noticed

What lessons did you learn from your challenges and wins?

Morning routine impact: I’ve realised that my mood improves significantly when I get out of the house before work. I thrive on slow, unrushed mornings, and when I skip that, jumping straight into work feels rushed and anxiety-inducing. Taking time for myself in the morning sets a positive tone for the rest of the day.
Social energy: I noticed that my mood lifts when I have social interactions. Whether it’s with friends, classmates, or colleagues, connecting with others is a key mood booster for me.

Gratitude

What are you grateful for this week?

Gym hours: I’m grateful for my gym opening early enough for me to fit in a workout and sauna session before work. It really supports my slow morning routine.
Having a car: I’m thankful for owning a car. This week, when my car was at the garage for an MOT, I had to take the bus to the gym. A trip that usually takes 30-40 minutes turned into a 90-minute ordeal — a reminder of how convenient my car really is.
The internet: I’m grateful for the internet, which helps me find hobby projects and growth challenges. It’s been a great tool for discovering new things and keeping my personal growth journey on track.

Focuses for next week

What topics may you focus on next week?

Staying consistent: My focus for next week will be on consistency, particularly when it comes to showing up at the gym in the mornings before work. It’s easy to rely on motivation, but I’m aiming to push beyond that and show up regardless of how I feel. I’ll be holding onto Denzel's quote as my mantra: 'Without commitment, you'll never start, and without consistency, you'll never finish.' It’s time to test my discipline and see how much I can achieve over the long haul by sticking to this routine.
Authenticity on social media: Another focus for next week will be on using my personal social media as my own space, without worrying about others' opinions or portraying a certain image. It’s about sharing what truly resonates with me and letting go of the pressure to portray a certain version of myself. I’ll focus on being real and authentic, rather than trying to meet others’ expectations.