4.1 “What Did I Get Myself Into?”

Picture This:

Your alarm buzzes at 5:00 a.m. The room is cold, and the warmth of your bed feels irresistible. But you have made a commitment: wake up early, take control of your mornings, and create a routine that sets the tone for the day ahead. You glance at the book on your bedside table, the meditation cushion in the corner, and your workout gear neatly folded by the door. You have started habits like this before, only to let them slip away when the effort felt too great.

Dragging yourself out of bed, you splash cold water on your face and settle into your chair. The house is silent, and for a moment, you question if giving up your late-night Netflix bingeing is worth it. But as you open the book and begin reading, your mind slowly sharpens. Next, you sit cross-legged on the cushion, focusing on your breath. Your thoughts wander to work, errands, and that extra hour of sleep you sacrificed, but you gently bring your attention back to the inhale and exhale. Finally, you lace up your running shoes and step outside. The cold air stings, and every step feels gruelling, but you push forward, reminding yourself why you started. To feel stronger, think clearly, and create meaningful progress towards optimal being.