Daily Rituals to Make You a Better You

Becoming your best self is something that happens over time, but instead of thinking about it as a long self-improvement project, tackle it day by day. It can often seem overwhelming to think about everything in your life that you want to change. It seems impossible to change it all and be the person you want to be.

But the truth is, you can become the best version of yourself simply by making a commitment every day to add a few changes that will slowly become habits and make you a better you. Everybody will have different areas of themselves they want to work on, so the trick is choosing the right daily rituals to add to your life to give yourself the improvement you want to see.

These are some daily rituals to get you started on the journey to a better you.

Prioritize and Plan

Make your day more focused and productive by taking five minutes out of your morning to prioritize and plan the upcoming day. Spend time with your planner, review what you have scheduled for the day and make a list of everything you want to accomplish, focusing on realistic tasks. Put stars next to three goals that are the most important to you that day and put your energy towards those.

Doing this every morning as one of your daily rituals will set you up for successful, and, in the long run, you’ll be a better planner and accomplish more of the goals you keep pushing off.

Be More Active

It’s no secret that exercise has multiple benefits, but many people believe that — to adopt an exercise regime — they have to dedicate two hours to the gym every day. Instead, try building in small exercises to your standing routine.

Five or ten minutes of yoga, a short walk after work or stretching in the middle of the afternoon can give you more energy, make you happier and get you started on a path towards a healthier lifestyle.

Do a Random Act of Kindness

Doing something kind for somebody without expecting anything in return is one of the best feelings you can have. Why not feel this every day? Make it a point to do one small thing for someone each day.

You could get coffee for your coworker, send a card to a loved one, open the door for somebody or even just smile at a stranger. These simple acts take almost no time at all and will make you feel good.

Clear Your Inbox

Do you ever look at your email inbox and get stressed? Looking at a long list of emails you have to worry about can be really overwhelming, so clear out your inbox each day as one of your daily rituals.

Once you clear it out — if you keep up with it each day — it won’t be such a big job, and your work life will be much more manageable. Many people keep emails in their inbox that have important information in them. Instead, make a new folder for these important emails so you have them handy but they aren’t clogging your inbox.

Connect With a Friend

Sometimes, we get caught up in the daily stressors of life and forget to connect with those who matter to us. Each day, talk to a friend or family member. This doesn’t have to be a long conversation. Send a quick text or email letting them know you’re thinking about them, or call a friend on your way home to chat.

A simple and quick conversation with a loved one can be a great way to vent our frustrations, feel loved and make time for something other than work and responsibilities.

Be Thankful

Spend a few minutes at night before you go to sleep recognizing what you’re thankful for. Write down a few things you’re grateful for, or simply think about them and spend some time in thanksgiving. Identifying what it is in your life that you appreciate can change your outlook on life and make you a happier person overall.

Adopting even one or two of these daily rituals can have a positive impact on your life. If you want to improve yourself, there’s no need to do a complete overhaul of your routine. Make a few small changes, and you’ll be surprised at the improvements you’ll notice.