Your Morning Routine Toolkit140the reality that I have to wake up at 5:30 a.m., and life is still
going to happen.
But in that blissful realization that I have “unending
solitude,” I forget every practicality and descend into my
suburban- mom- frat- party mode. Soon, cans of sparkling water
and veggie chip bags are strewn all around me as I lay sprawled
on the couch, iPad on my stomach, watching some variation of
a Jane Austen book turned movie.
When my supply of healthy snacks runs out, I head back
to the kitchen to scrounge for any unhealthy food I can find.
Usually the pickings are slim, but there are glorious times when
a carton of mint chocolate- chip ice cream is in the freezer, and
all my dreams come true.
Having squished as many scoops as humanly possible into
my small bowl, I snuggle under a blanket back on the couch
and proceed to waste hours upon hours watching incredibly
cheesy movies while filling my stomach with food I don’t need.
And I love every minute... until the self- loathing begins: Wait.
What! Two a.m.? How can it be two a.m.?! It was just nine
forty- five p.m.! What have I even been doing the past [counts
on fingers] four hours? I’m going to be worthless tomorrow!
My sparkling water, veggie crisp, Jane Austen binge finally
comes to a screeching halt when my forty- year- old body declares
bankruptcy and refuses to support my eyelids, and I nod off.
I know it’s bad for me. I know I shouldn’t do it. I know I’ll
have a terrible day the next day. But it’s become a habit.
When I’m left alone in the living room late at night, all my
cravings cue up (Mindless surfing! Snacks! Miss Bennet and
Mr. Darc y!); I descend, almost against my will, into my routine.
What about you? Maybe it’s not staying up late or binge