A Day in the Life of Kerri!

Before the first restrictions were put into effect to curb the surge of cases, before working from home became the norm, I would have popped out of bed, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed minutes before my alarm would sound. I was annoyingly perky and didn’t require any coffee to start my morning. Yep! I was one of those people. 

Oh, how things have changed. While work and life bring challenges unique to each day, I found myself relating to the groundhog day memes circulating to describe 2020, and if I’m honest, existential dread has been felt on occasion. I knew that the need to reshape my outlook in order to start on a better foot would be required if I was going not just to drag myself across the year-end finish line but finish these last few weeks of year happy and healthy.

Wake up early

While the internal clock is adjusting to daylight savings (or ahem, binging season 4 of the Crown), I set my alarm to 6:30 a.m. and now wake up to Christmas music, more specifically, smooth jazz Christmas music. It’s 1) so much better than an annoyingly blaring buzzing sound, but 2) places me in a good mood. The other benefit? I’m awake two and a half hours before my first obligation. I have time for me: to leisurely sip coffee or take an extra lap around the block with my dog to finish a podcast. Regardless of how I spend it, it’s mine, it’s selfish, and it’s essential!

Leave your phone charging for 30 minutes

The mindless scroll is the biggest waste of time. There’s plenty of time for it later in the day to read celebrity gossip, check the stock market, or refresh for email replies - get the coffee brewing and avoid the addicting scroll. The only thing you’re missing out on is FOMO, comparison, and reminders in the form of notifications.

Imagine how it will go

Emails and Zoom calls aren’t dictating my day, I already have visualized it before it started, and it gives me a sense of control. Before I get started, I’m creating a mental to-do list (some days, it requires pen to paper) and schedule my day out. Along with obligatory meetings, I ensure it involves checking in with friends and mundane tasks like paying a bill or scheduling an oil change. By changing to this tactic, I don’t feel like I’m winging it or have that feeling like you’re 5 minutes late to everything. By doing this, I don’t wonder if I’ll get a workout in a 10 a.m. or 5:30 p.m. It has also allowed me to be more intentional about eating lunch while working from home and staying connected with friends and family.

Get ready for the day

I’m no longer tossing on dry shampoo and chapstick; I’m taking a moment to make myself presentable and can now feel like I can show up for any situation. Tinted moisturizer, mascara, brush your brows, blush, and a ponytail. You get the picture. While your beauty routine is unique to you, I’m feeling more confident, capable, and motivated - even if I don’t leave the house.