Daily Routine

As with the standard routine of three meals a day, I have three habits that I follow religiously every day. A healthy routine proves to be beneficial to my mental and physical health in the long run especially when juggling between an oversaturated work agenda and an ongoing dynamic personal one. I’ve found the formula that works for me, and I’ve felt a transformation where I’ve felt happier, more focused, and positively inspired. Let’s unpack my personal key times of the day.

Sunrise O’clock

As I work from home, I can treat myself to a 'me-time' moment at the start of the day thanks to no more commuting in the mornings. I like starting it off with my skincare routine. I appreciate a good face cleansing followed by a serum, eye cream, moisturizer, and sunscreen, all while using products with nature-focused ingredients, vegan and recyclable. Over time with practice, I understood better my skin complexion and what care it needed. I have sensitive skin that calls for hydration and soothing. The hyaluronic acid and grape seed ingredients nourish my skin and leaves it a healthy glow. I feel truly awake at that point and can look the part for my job.

I enjoy a nice hot espresso cup that my loving đẹp trai prepares for me every day. I take it black. Its intensity warms me up with that extra kick to the cerebral nerves. In this pause cafe, I developed the habit of stimulating my brain with a couple of language workouts on Duolingo. I’m passionate about foreign languages. I sometimes learn two different ones in parallel. These days I’ve divided my interests between Italian and math. Using an app makes it more fun as it feels like playing a game. After a brief intellectual training, I’m ready to tackle my day!

Reset O’clock

Working from home has given me the luxury of time and productivity. During my lunch break, I get to work out and prepare fresh meals. Patience, I’ll elaborate more on in just a bit. But know what? I had gone through several types of workouts and diet programs in the past that had not led me anywhere. I didn’t seem to lose weight or get into shape. I also felt more exhausted. I tried many things, and I finally found a formula that works well now. What I needed is a speedy set of muscular-focused exercises, and I could see the results about 21 days later. I focus on one specific area every day: from abs, toned arms, glutes, to yoga. The alternative cycle helps me emphasize the intention of that day while prioritizing my well-being. It can be astonishing how the combination of the right physical activity and the proper healthy diet bring you closer to your weight loss or shape tone target.

When I moved into my apartment alone, I decided not to have a microwave. I envisioned my new lifestyle to include more mindful practice such as taking the time to cook and to eat with purpose. It may sound intense, and sure it is. It demands a lot of effort and planning to keep up with it every single day. However, I’ve been feeling like a better version of myself ever since. I’m lucky enough to have easy access to fresh products in my neighbourhood. I usually prepare simple healthy meals, something quick enough to fit in my mid-day break, but still good for my appetite and soul. My typical lunch meal is salmon from the fish market and an arugula salad or a pearl couscous in a pesto sauce on the side. Nowadays, it’s my loving and caring partner who’s taking charge of the lunch, and I’m treated to a wider selection of dishes, from a quick jambon-beurre to an elaborate royal couscous, prepared overnight. That’s what I call the luxury of time, where we can both take better care of ourselves and enjoy these little moments of happiness by sharing a homemade meal.

Good Night O’clock

To conclude my day, I enjoy an herbal tea, most often chamomile, after my night skincare routine. It’s a ritual that I set up before bedtime. After a nonstop day of screen time and meetings, my body naturally seeks to turn down the pace and to comfort itself with a rewarding cup of hot tea. Normally I would take it while watching TV, but a TV was also on my must-not-haves list when I moved in this apartment. Even if I work in the film industry, I don’t mind missing out on the latest movies or shows, to be honest. I have my fair share exposure to the screen all day already. Our bedroom is large and can isolate our bed in its own cocoon at the backend. That area in the back is enough to fit in our bed, so when we pull down the curtains that separate our bedroom into two vibes: the “seminary area” where our bed furniture is between white walls and a curtain, and the “vista area” where our armchair and coffee table are at the front by the window. At bedtime, I leave our fairy lights on while we snuggle up in each other’s arms and use one of our couple’s games. We treat them as a communication-bonding exercise to reinforce our communication skills in our relationship. Some games look like “T.A.L.K.”:

  • Touch: we get into physical contact in any form, such as holding hands, resting one’s head on the other’s chest, even when they’re mad at each other

  • Ask: each partner asks the other a question about anything, something one genuinely wants to know about the other partner

  • Like: this is an underrated practice where the couple takes turns to give a compliment or express what they like/appreciate from one another

  • Kiss: because talking is good, but much better with kisses

There’s also the “+/-” one, where each partner expresses the highlights (+) and the lows (-) of their day. This game, if we want to call it that, works on the partner’s listening skills, which is a leading player in healthy and working couples' communication.

Another frequent one is unquestioningly picking a category amongst:

  • I love you: taking the time to express the love you have for each other

  • I’m sorry: taking the time to genuinely apologize for a wrongdoing to your partner

  • Thank you: taking the time to thank your partner for something they did

  • Well done: taking the time to recognize your partner’s achievements or outstanding action

  • I need help: to ask for your partner’s help in something simple or not, giving your partner a chance to be your support in what you need

  • I don’t know: to express something you aren’t aware of

All these exercises sound simple when I outline them this way. Nonetheless, they remind us that communication is hard, and relationships are always work in progress. It’s a micro reality-check of how human we are; that we are indeed flawed while choosing to move forward with love in the relationship.

Next
Next

Miami Beach