💥 7 Things I Do Every Day to Design the Life I Actually Want

I wake up most mornings grateful—not because everything’s perfect, but because it’s mine.

The life I love didn’t fall into place overnight. It’s been crafted through tiny, consistent choices, grounded in curiosity, courage, and a whole lot of neuroscience.

As a high-functioning, high energy single mom with ADHD, perfectionist tendencies, and a deeply overactive imagination (hi, anxiety and overthinking ),  I had to learn how to intentionally design a life that doesn’t just look good on paper—but actually feels good in my body.

And I didn’t learn this from a planner or Pinterest board (although I love a good Pinterest board and live by my planner).

I learned it from trial, error, nervous system crashes, quite a few big and small failures and lots of neuroscience.

So today, I’m sharing the 7 small things I do every single day that help me feel clear, grounded, and aligned.

These habits aren’t rigid but they are consistent. They flex with me. But they anchor me. 

They bring my brain and body into its best, especially on the days I’m juggling everyday life (and maybe a touch of over involvement), client calls, big creative projects, parenting while working to keep cortisol overload at bay.

 Let’s go.⸻

1.  Start with Stillness:  My 7 minutes NSDR routine is how I start every day but even three minutes of sitting and enjoying your morning coffee in silence can be transformative. 

For you, this could look like real breathwork (hello bumble bee breath) or another kind of vagus nerve reset.; Other times it could be sipping water. Any little bit counts!  

Before my phone, before my daughter, before anyone gets to me—I give this gift to myself. You deserve this too!

🧠 Why it works: When you first wake up, your brain is in alpha/theta wave mode—aka the sweet spotfor setting intention and avoiding anxiety spirals. If you hijack it with emails, you’re basically choosing cortisol over clarity.

⸻2. I Visualize My Life Like It’s Already Happening. 

I write everything down about my ideal day, week and year.  I devote at least 5 minutes in the morning and evening to close my eyes and  visualize myself living the life I desire.  I

It’s mental rehearsal—and it retrains your nervous system to believe new outcomes are possible- to see the opportunities where I may not have before. 

🧠 Why it works: The brain can’t tell the difference between real and vividly imagined experiences. That means you can rehearse the life you want until your system starts believing it’s safe to go after it.

⸻3. I Eat Like My Brain Like it is Precious and Amazing- because it is!   

I am strategic about how I Fuel My Brain. The Brain gut connection is real and As a highly sensitive neurodivergent I have learned how crappy or haphazard eating habits can wreak havoc on the gut, my mood and focus.
 I hydrate first. I fuel on smart fats. I nourish with plant forward fiber and strategically time meals.  

Even for snacks I chose wisely  - raw pumpkin seeds and fresh figs, and tahini and celery,   Matcha + Maca mixed with plain plant yogurt. 

🧠 Why it works: Your gut makes 90% of your serotonin and over half of your dopamine. No fuel = no focus. Period.

⸻4. I Pick ONE Thing That Moves Me Forward

Tackle Just one thing at a time.  Not 14-  Not everything on your to do list.  Every day I have My Top three nonnegotiable but only focus on ONE at a time.  I use to think I was good at multi- tasking. I am definitely not- and you likely aren't either. 

Each to do item must be connected to My Why and closer to the life I want.  It is easy to get caught in the trap of a quick dopamine hit by "getting things done" without actually getting things done that feed your soul or your ultimate purpose.   

🧠 Why it works: ADHD brains love novelty and dopamine hits—but get overwhelmed by ambiguity. One clear task builds momentum without frying your circuits. The endless list fries these circuits fast.  

⸻5. I Do Something Brave Every Day before Noon.  

The longer I wait to do the things that I know bring me into a brighter and biggest version of me, the less confidence I have to move boldly towards my Future.  And truthfully, often will chicken out.  So now I have learned not to allow wiggle room.  

It's time to :
Send the pitch you have wanted to send. 

Hit publish button on your first (or 500th) bold and true blog post.

Set the that boundary that will bring more peace to your life. 

Speak your truth.  

🧠 Why it works: Bravery builds confidence. And action disrupts anxiety loops. Morning = peak dopamine window. Use it.

⸻6. I Track My “Joyspan”

 

Not just stress. Joy.

I pause and ask:

“Does this feel expansive or constrictive?”

That little check-in has saved me from saying yes to projects I hate, staying in rooms I’ve outgrown, and repeating cycles that don’t serve me.

🧠 Why it works: Your nervous system isn’t just built to detect threats—it also tracks safety and delight. And joy is an internal green light.

⸻7. I Close the Day With an Audit—Not Shame

Three things I’m proud of. One thing I’ll shift tomorrow.

Even if I didn’t do “all the things,” I celebrate what I did do. Because perfection isn’t the goal—presence is.

🧠 Why it works: Gratitude builds resilience. And auditing your day turns messiness into data—not drama.

⸻ You Don’t Need a Perfect Routine—You Just Need an Anchor

If you’re in a season of burnout, overthinking, big transitions, or just trying to find your way back to yourself…

Let me lovingly say: your future self isn’t found in chaos.

She’s created in these tiny, daily moments where you choose something new.

Pick one of these seven.
Try it for five days.

See what happens.

And if you want a full reset with food, mindset, and real accountability?  It's time to work with me.  You are ready for lead with calm, clarity and joy.  I am here to help you step into your best self.   

Life doesn’t just happen for people like us.

We design it.

Messy. Brave. On purpose.

Let’s go.

xo,

Chelsea

💚