Reclaiming My Day: How Two Hours Transformed My Life

Would you believe me if I told you that by dedicating just two hours a day to myself, I eased work stress, calmed my anxiety, and found the power to tackle the day on my own terms? It’s true, and it’s changed everything.

Here's how just two hours transformed my life...

I knew I needed to make a change. Life felt like an endless cycle of stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion, leaving me drained and unable to enjoy any moment of peace. Even during downtime, I found myself anticipating the next stressful situation and trying to mentally prepare for it—a habit that robbed me of rest and led to complete meltdowns.

I knew I needed to make a change. Life felt like an endless cycle of stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion, leaving me drained and unable to enjoy any moment of peace. Even when I was trying to rest, my mind was racing—anticipating the next stressful situation and imagining every possible way it could go wrong. I thought this mental “prep” was helping me, but in reality, it robbed me of any chance to truly unwind. The result? No downtime, no balance, and, more often than not, a meltdown waiting to happen.

When my anxiety reached its peak, I had no choice but to step back. I was signed off work for a month, and during that time, I learned some hard truths. I realised that most of the stress-reduction techniques I’d read about—like yoga or deep breathing—simply didn’t fit my life. Sure, they work wonders for some, but trying to do breathing exercises while in a Tesco queue or mid-meeting with your boss? Not so much.

So, I began looking for solutions that worked with my busy lifestyle, not against it. Slowly, I began experimenting with simple, practical changes, and I want to share the three game-changers that helped me take back control of my day.

Start Your Day, Your Way

There’s nothing worse than waking up to an alarm, rushing to get ready, and bolting out the door—it’s basically an open invitation for stress. Just thinking about it makes me tense. Getting up early was never my thing, but then I thought, why am I starting my day on someone else’s terms? I’m not getting up just because I have to be somewhere - I deserve a little time to start my day for me. That mindset shift (stubbornness included!) was all I needed to give waking up an hour earlier a try, and it’s been a game-changer.

Now, I brew a coffee, Open the curtains, and crawl back into bed. I sit under the duvet, soaking up the calm with my cuppa and my writing. It’s such a peaceful, enjoyable way to ease into the day, and it’s where this blog was born! I know plenty of people use their mornings for exercise, and maybe one day I’ll join their ranks, but for now, this little moment of serenity is exactly what I need.

If you’re tired of the morning chaos, trust me - carving out this time for yourself will transform how you start your day. Once you experience it, you’ll never go back to the morning rush.

The Power of Three Little Reminders

When I settle back into bed with my morning coffee, I have a strict rule - no phone. I’m simply not ready for the world yet, so it stays on my bedside table until I decide otherwise. Instead, I reach for my notebook (not a diary, because diaries feel too formal and pressure-filled, even though I write the date and treat it like one—go figure!).

At the top of the page, I write, “3 Things I Will Remember Today,” and I jot down three positive affirmations or thoughts to guide me through the day. These might be things like, “I’m proud of the small steps I’m taking toward my happiness,” or “I’ve worked hard to stay calm, and nothing will disrupt my peace today.” They’re simple, personal, and directly relevant to whatever challenges I anticipate.

Throughout the day, I glance at these little reminders, and they’re like a secret weapon against stress. Whether I’m in the middle of Tesco, tackling an unexpected email deadline, or even mid stressful conversation, I quietly affirm them to myself. It’s like a mental reset button, instantly pulling me out of the chaos and back to a place where I feel calm, grounded, and fully in control. Honestly? It’s a total game-changer.

Getting tomorrow sorted: 

I don’t know about you, but there’s nothing worse than standing in front of the wardrobe in the morning, feeling like I have literally nothing to wear. Add to that the panic of not finding my keys because I absentmindedly stashed them somewhere while multitasking, or the sinking realisation at work that I forgot something important - ugh! And the best part? I used to do all of these, every single morning.

Time for a change! Now, I set an alarm on my phone for 9 p.m. - a little nudge that it’s time to get myself sorted for the next day. During this time, I gather everything I’ll need: my work bag is packed, my trusty notebook and water bottle are prepped for bedtime, and I choose my outfit for tomorrow (which I hang on the shower rail, ready to go).

It’s such a small shift, but the payoff is huge. By setting myself up the night before, my mornings are no longer chaotic - I’m calm, focused, and ready to tackle the day without a hint of wardrobe meltdowns or frantic key hunts. Everything’s just waiting for me, like a gift from my super-organised, past self!

I can’t stress enough how simple it was to make these small changes to my day. It took no major effort - just waking up a little earlier to create a peaceful moment for myself in the morning and dedicating an hour in the evening to prepare for tomorrow. These tiny tweaks fit right into my routine without disrupting it, and honestly, they’ve completely transformed my life.

Having control over my day, and choosing how I allow it to affect me, has been a game-changer. Knowing I have that sacred morning time carved out just for me helps me sleep better at night, as I can look forward to starting the day in a calm, intentional way. My three daily reminders guide me through moments of chaos, keeping me centered and grounded, and my evening prep has eliminated those stressful, frantic mornings filled with last-minute panics and forgotten tasks.

I took control - and you can, too.

If you try just one thing this week, I encourage you to give these small steps a go. They’re so simple to incorporate into even the busiest of schedules, and they’ll help you set the tone for your day in a way that feels empowering and energising. You don’t have to let the demands of the world dictate your time - you have the power to decide what each day looks like and how it feels.

Take the first step. Create your own little moments to bookend your day, and watch how they bring a sense of peace, focus, and joy into your life. You’ve got the strength and determination to make this happen, and I promise you—it’s worth it.