Good morning! A definitely better morning than the last few, hence starting with a post again. I have decided to write briefly, just to capture the thought, than to journal a lengthy post or purposefully write free-flow, unless there was a a particular experience I needed to write. My present state of mind is much more alert with clarity than the past few weeks, and it is mainly due to just merely starting to get back to my usual routine, which I now know I live by. I am feeling good today, happier state, more put-together, despite not sleeping the desired 7.5 hours a night. I believe it is not just to do with the routine but how I felt before sleeping and how I slept! Last night I went to sleep happy after having a rich and meaningful convo and learning from my new-found fellow yogi friend :0)) Just by going back to my set prescribed routine which begins with a sleep hygiene routine and preparing for the next day really changes and lightens my state of mind. The usual “night before” has me beginning to prepare the night at around 9-9.30pm getting together my yoga gear, preparing my breakfast, snack (and/or lunch) and packing my bag for work – but in the stay-home era now I have not done either, so it is general tidying up of my homemade items before retiring to the bedroom. The usual sleep hygiene routine begins unwinding at 9.30pm, showering, dimming lights, infusing essential oils, quietening down the room with silence or soft music, ensuring all messages are replied, and ideally (depending on mood), all electronics put away by 10.30pm, kindle in hand, and bed and night prayer by 11pm. This is the optimum. When I am excited by the latest find, I am still on my iPad watching YouTube videos in bed, which I try to do whilst washing up or hanging laundry – and I’ve found that ideal, albeit slowing me down from my usual speed ;). So, the optimum is optimal for me, tried and tested, to completely indulge in another world with a spiritual read on my kindle from 10.30pm-11pm and sleep til the morning, rising between 6.30-7am. With that, I get the best state of mind feeling in the morning, because, I love mornings! I love the morning light, the bright sunshine, the calmness and the me-time, walking the dog early in the crisp air when it is quiet, sitting down to reflect in morning prayer when it is not yet time to work, starting breakfast with the aroma of fresh coffee, and delecting in a my favourite meal of the day, which I prepare daily….breakfast!