Thrive Outside Your 9-5

As someone who graduated college, fearing the unknown and had no idea what I wanted to do with my life, here are a few things I did to excel my 9-5 routine and became the happiest version of myself.

Morning Routine

I found a morning routine that I loved and motivated me to get out of bed before starting my work day. Reading Atomic Habits was a huge part in learning how to build these healthy habits and break old ones. Having this morning routine allowed me to have a great start to my day, having time to myself, and being mindful before immediately starting the work day and letting my day slip away. I found joy in my morning walks, drinking my morning greens, working out, journaling, cooking my favorite breakfast, listening to music, spending time with my dogs, etc. These small enjoyments put me in a great mood where I was able to show up to work with a positive mindset and make the most of my day

If you struggle with building habits or trying to wake up earlier, I highly suggest learning from one of my favorite influencers and podcast host, Shelby Sacco.

Fitness Routine

I truly believe that in order to be the best version of yourself, you need to be exercising on a daily basis and following a routine that you enjoy. Spending time working on yourself will allow you to feel good, look good, and give you confidence in all aspects of your life.

Here are some of my favorite fitness coaches, influencers, etc:

1. Sydney Adams (fitness coach, lifestyle, fashion)

2. Julie Lawton (fitness influencer)

3. Ally Smeltzer (fitness coach, full body workouts)

4. Joey Schultz (hybrid -running + lifting coach, lifestyle videos)

5. Amanda Layser (fitness coach, fashion, form advice)

6. Sal Vittorio (fitness/lifestyle coach)

Passions/Hobbies

Making time for your passions and hobbies will give your days purpose and enjoyment outside of work. Think about things that you would enjoy doing if no one else was doing it. It could be playing your favorite sport, going to your favorite work out class, reading, writing, cooking, painting, whatever gives you joy. Having a creative outlet and time for enjoyment will positively impact your day/week and give you activities outside of work to look forward to.

Planning social events with friends

A huge part of maintaining my relationships with my friends was planning ahead. We were no longer roommates who saw each other everyday and for the most part lived in different towns. Finding a weekend or a day where you can spend time together and have fun is crucial to keeping those relationships solid and once again, having something to look forward to outside of work. Whether its planning a concert, beach trip, drinks by the water, or going to your favorite sports games, having a shared calendar in your notes app was a game changer for me and my friends.

Healthy work/life balance

A huge reason I was able to thrive in my first 9-5 was because I set a solid boundary. I was committed, got my work done, and excelled in my projects during work hours, but had a healthy relationship with my boss and was never expected to log on early, work late, or skip a lunch break just to get work done. All of these seem pretty self explanatory, but when you are at a company who neglects all of the above, your mental health and performance will suffer. On days where I questioned on whether or not I was on the right path or if this was the right job for me, I would switch my mindset into a positive, learning one. I told myself that your first job out of college is for experience, learning how to work full time and manage your life, networking, building your resume, learning new skills, etc.