Ponder with Pamela

Tag: morning routine

  • Finding Your Ideal Morning Routine

    Finding Your Ideal Morning Routine

    June 12, 2025

    Another morning routine, another chance to see if yesterday’s approach would hold up. Turns out, it did.

    I had the opportunity to tackle some more RWS tasks today, and I stuck with the same broken-up schedule I tried yesterday. Weaving work time with movement and little household moments. Two days in a row now, and it’s feeling less like an experiment and more like something that might actually stick.

    There’s something really satisfying about finding a rhythm that feels both productive and sustainable. Not that frantic, overwhelming kind of productive where you’re racing against your own energy levels, but the kind where you’re working with your body instead of against it.

    I’m starting to trust this pattern. Morning routine, work, movement, household task, back to work, repeat. It’s like my day has a gentle pulse to it instead of that all-or-nothing approach I used to default to.

    It’s only been two days, but I’m cautiously optimistic. Sometimes the best changes are the ones that don’t feel like huge overhauls – they just feel like finally listening to what was already working.

    Here’s hoping this rhythm keeps carrying me forward. 💜

    The dogs are snoring. I’m signing off. See you tomorrow. 💜

  • Managing ADHD and Chronic Illness: My Journey to Better Mornings

    Managing ADHD and Chronic Illness: My Journey to Better Mornings

    June 9, 2025

    Today was another genuinely good day, despite the rainy weather that usually brings challenges. But here’s the amazing thing: I’ve started noticing that when I wake up, I’m not nearly as stiff and sore as I used to be. I honestly can’t even begin to tell you what a relief that is!

    The Gift of Better Mornings

    Starting your day feeling miserable makes everything that follows so much more difficult. When you wake up already fighting pain and stiffness, it’s like beginning each day from behind. But lately, I’m waking up feeling more like a normal human being, and it’s transforming everything.

    This change has to be connected to the consistent gentle exercise routine I’ve been maintaining. A week and a half of daily 10-minute sessions of Qi Gong, yoga, Tai Chi, and strength training, and my body is already responding with less morning stiffness. That’s incredible progress! I would never have thought that such a minor thing could make such a major improvement!

    Morning Routine Mastery

    I completed my full morning routine and got my Qi Gong session done, and even managed to meditate for 10 minutes afterward. For someone with ADHD, sitting still and concentrating solely on breathing is genuinely challenging because my mind wants to race off in a million different directions at once.

    But I’m learning that meditation doesn’t have to be perfect. Even when my thoughts are bouncing around, the attempt to focus and breathe mindfully seems to have value. It’s about practice, not perfection.

    Professional Progress

    I got all my email sorted and started my onboarding process at RWS! It feels so good to be moving forward professionally while also taking care of my health. The combination of feeling physically better and having new opportunities creates this upward momentum that’s been missing for so long.

    Having sustainable morning routines in place makes handling new work responsibilities feel much more manageable. I’m starting from a place of strength rather than trying to catch up from exhaustion.

    Productive Energy

    I even managed to complete three loads of laundry between everything else today. For anyone managing chronic illness, you know that’s not a small accomplishment. It’s running up and down stairs to wash, dry, fold, AND put away multiple loads while handling other responsibilities.

    I’m feeling genuinely productive today, and it’s the good kind of productivity. Energizing rather than depleting. When your body feels better, everything else becomes more possible.

    The ADHD and Chronic Illness Intersection

    Managing both ADHD and chronic illness creates unique challenges. The hyperactive mind that wants to do everything at once, combined with a body that has limited energy reserves, requires careful balance and realistic expectations.

    But I’m finding that gentle, consistent routines actually help both conditions. The physical movement supports my chronic illness management, while the structured routine helps my ADHD brain stay focused and organized.

    Hope for More Days Like This

    I’m feeling incredibly hopeful about having many more days like this one. The combination of reduced morning stiffness, successful meditation despite ADHD challenges, professional progress, and sustained energy throughout the day feels like a new normal I could actually maintain.

    The best part is knowing that these improvements are coming from sustainable changes. Gentle exercise, consistent routines, and realistic expectations, rather than pushing myself beyond my limits.

    Here’s to waking up feeling human and building on this momentum! 💜

    Sometimes the biggest victories are the ones that happen before you even get out of bed. Waking up without that familiar morning battle against your own body.

    The dogs are snoring. I’m signing off. See you tomorrow. 💜

  • Transform Your Morning Routine: Tips for Daily Success

    Transform Your Morning Routine: Tips for Daily Success

    June 6, 2025

    Today was actually not a bad day despite the cloudy skies hanging overhead. We had some rain early this morning, but it’s just been overcast since then. Which is much more manageable than the stormy weather I was bracing for.

    Morning Routine Evolution

    I got my daily routine completed, even with the exciting new additions I’ve made. I decided to expand my morning rhythm by adding journaling and meditation, and I’m absolutely loving how it’s all coming together.

    My new morning flow feels like the perfect way to start each day:

    • 30 minutes of reading and coffee (my original grounding ritual)
    • 10 minutes of journaling (new addition for mental clarity)
    • Today’s exercise: Tai Chi (gentle, flowing movement)
    • Then: settling into work mode

    I really love starting my day this way now. There’s something so intentional and nurturing about giving myself this comprehensive morning self-care routine. Each element serves a different purpose. The reading feeds my mind, journaling clears mental clutter, and the exercise prepares my body for the day ahead.

    Exciting Job News!

    The best part of today: I got a job with RWS! After all those applications, testing, and qualifications, something finally came through. I spent a good portion of the day getting everything set up for this new opportunity.

    It’s only a part-time position, but it’s a steady paycheck every two weeks. It’s definitely better than nothing, and I’m still looking.

    It feels so good to have forward momentum on the career front, especially knowing that I’ve been building sustainable routines that will support me in managing work alongside my chronic conditions.

    Productive Day Management

    After handling all the job setup requirements, I worked through my email backlog. Having that organized morning routine actually made the transition into work tasks feel smoother and more manageable.

    The combination of feeling mentally clear from journaling and physically prepared from Tai Chi seems to be setting me up for better focus and energy throughout the workday.

    Evening Appreciation

    Now it’s almost dinner time, and my awesome husband is making cheeseburger pasta. Which is absolutely amazing, and I honestly can’t wait! There’s something so perfect about ending a productive, positive day with comfort food made by someone who loves you.

    Having a partner who handles most of the cooking makes such a difference when you’re managing chronic illness and building new work routines. It’s one less thing to worry about and one more way to feel supported.

    Building on Success

    Five days into this expanded morning routine and I can already see how much it’s enhancing my overall well-being. The consistency is becoming automatic, and even on cloudier weather days like today, I’m maintaining better energy and mood stability.

    Adding the journaling and meditation feels like the missing pieces that make everything else work even better. Here’s to sustainable routines, new opportunities, and supportive partners who make amazing comfort food! 💜

    Sometimes the best days aren’t defined by perfect weather, but by personal growth, new opportunities, and the love that surrounds you at home.

    The dogs are snoring. I’m signing off. See you tomorrow. 💜

  • Embracing Good Days: Managing Chronic Conditions

    Embracing Good Days: Managing Chronic Conditions

    June 3, 2025

    Today was another wonderfully good day for me. It happened to be my daughter’s birthday, which made everything feel extra special. There’s something magical about feeling well on days that matter most.

    Morning Rituals and Birthday Prep

    I got up and enjoyed my usual morning routine of reading while drinking my coffee. There’s something so grounding about starting the day quietly before the activities begin.

    Then I dove into making my daughter’s birthday cake. One of those mom moments that feels important, no matter how your body is feeling. I’ve been making this cake for years, and we don’t have it often. So when we do, it’s a special occasion. I get a box of devil’s food cake mix and then add in a can of cherry pie filling. It’s so good!

    Being able to bake for someone you love when you’re feeling good is such a gift. The kitchen felt like a place of celebration rather than a source of exhaustion.

    Day of Strength Training

    I managed to squeeze in time for my strength training workout, and overall it went really well! I’m discovering that these beginner videos for people over 50 are perfectly calibrated for my needs and limitations.

    I did have trouble with the squats because my knees and hips aren’t quite ready for that movement yet. Everything else felt manageable and even empowering. It’s okay to modify or skip exercises that don’t work for your body. That’s the beauty of working out at home with videos.

    Birthday Celebration Simplicity

    My daughter and I had pizza for lunch and spent time binge-watching Netflix together. Sometimes the best celebrations are the simple ones. Good food, quality time, and zero pressure to be anywhere or do anything elaborate.

    Having the energy to enjoy relaxed time together without feeling guilty about not being productive felt like its own kind of birthday gift.

    Small Victories Add Up

    I even managed to take the trash cans out to the curb for tomorrow’s pickup, and it’s been quite a while since I’ve been able to handle that task. It might seem small, but when you’re managing chronic conditions, completing routine household tasks without exhaustion feels like a real achievement.

    These little signs of increased capability are so encouraging.

    Weather Appreciation and Reality

    I’m absolutely loving all this beautiful weather we’ve been having! The sunshine and warmth seem to be contributing significantly to these good days. Unfortunately, we have storms coming our way again from Thursday through Saturday, so I’m planning to enjoy these nice days while I can.

    Weather awareness becomes such an important part of chronic illness management. Appreciating the good weather days while preparing mentally and physically for the challenging ones.

    Building on Success

    Two days into this new exercise routine and I’m already seeing real benefits. More energy, less pain, and the ability to accomplish daily tasks that have been difficult lately. Even with the squat modification needed, I feel proud of what my body accomplished today.

    Tomorrow brings Yoga Wednesday. Another gentle practice to look forward to. Here’s to riding this wave of good days and building strength one workout at a time! 💜

    Sometimes the best birthday gift you can give someone you love is showing up fully present because you feel good enough to be there completely.

    The dogs are snoring. I’m signing off. See you tomorrow. 💜