I know that I don’t know WTF I’m doing throughout the day if I don’t follow my morning routine. I jump around like a chicken with my head cut off, trying to figure things out. It’s exhausting & disorienting, which is a terrible way to start the day. That’s why I developed my ever evolving morning routine, & in this week’s post I hope to help you do the same!
Why Morning Routines Matter
My husband always wakes up cranky, groggy, & feeling like shit. He stumbles off to the kitchen to make a smoothie, & then reads depressing news on his phone for like an hour before sometimes making breakfast for the kids & then struggling to figure out what to do with his day. He’s inevitably cranky fairly often. He refuses to create a better morning routine.
Starting the day with an intentionally beneficial routine can set the tone for a productive, engaged, & fulfilling rest of your day! A set routine can reduce the decision fatigue of trying to figure out what you’re doing at any given moment. It can also help ensure you’re finding time to work toward your goals!
Some Challenges…and Solutions!
- Poor sleep hygiene. Sleep is pretty essential, so perhaps you also need a useful evening routine (though that would be another post altogether). The goal is that you can wake up early enough to accomplish the routine you want or need.
- Lack of motivation. Your routine should motivate you! If it seems like a drag to do, you need to switch your activities up a bit so that it feels beneficial.
- Distractions. Limit them as much as possible. Put your phone on “do not disturb”, don’t even think about checking social media (or depressing news feeds!), & get up before your family members if at all possible.
You can always find a way around any challenges that arise if you’re open to creative & adaptable solutions!
Design a Routine That Works for You
Before diving into the design process, there are 2 things I want you to keep in mind :
- KISS (Keep It Simple, Stupid!) Don’t overwhelm yourself with all kinds of stuff to do. You’ll set yourself up for needless frustration.
- Remain adaptable. Some days you may find yourself with an hour, others may leave you with only 5 minutes. Figure out your bare minimum activities, & work from there.
So, what would you like to focus on in your mornings? What would help situate a positive mindset for the day ahead? Do you need to prep your clothes, healthy drinks & snacks, & task list? Do you need distraction free time to get some work done before the kids get up? Do you need time for self care?
Once you come up with some ideas for what you need, you should figure out how much time you typically have available. It can also help to set times for certain activities throughout your routine – For example 10 minutes for journaling, 20 minutes for exercise, & so on.
Quick Ideas for Morning Routines
My routine gets changed whenever I feel like it. If I’m not looking forward to it, it’s time to switch things up. Here’s what it looks like right now :
- Get lemon water & say good morning to Alexa (she tells me the weather, a joke, & plays some lofi music)
- Review my inbox of thoughts, notes, & tasks from the previous day, & organize them appropriately
- Plan my day
- Journal & exercise
- Get dressed
- Get some coffee & a snack, & watch a quick YouTube video before starting my tasks for the day (which usually includes a focus hour to work on this blog!)
A routine focused on self care could look like this :
- 10 minutes body : cardio / yoga / strength
- 10 minutes mind : journaling / reading / learning
- 10 minutes soul : meditation / prayer / being outside in nature
- heart : call or text a friend or family member
If you’re focused on productivity, your morning routine could include :
- Get tea / coffee
- Review plan for the day
- Quick exercise
- Get dressed / quick shower
- Quick journaling / braindump
- 30 minute deep work session
Burned out? Cut it back to the essentials & build from there :
- Get water; Make tea / coffee
- Review plans for the day, timeblock if necessary, & consider meal plan
- Stretch or meditate for 5 minutes
Pick one, hack it, make it yours!
Consistency & Setbacks
The key to consistency is to avoid overwhelm. Adjust your morning routine as extensively & as often as you need, to make sure you’re setting yourself up for a pleasant day!
You could track your consistency with a simple calendar, & reward yourself for your small wins – A week of sticking to our habits deserves a luxurious $10 hot cocoa supreme (or a cheap bottle of wine lol)!
Don’t beat yourself up for missing a day – Fuck your senseless guilt & just try again the next day! Persistence over perfection!
Conclusion
Morning routines are essential for starting your day on the right foot. Stay adaptable & compassionate with yourself, & design a routine that works for you at different times in your life. Pivot, & adapt as needed!
Share your current routine, or any challenges you encounter, in the comments below – I’d love to hear from you!
And here’s a free printable brainstorming space if you’d like, created with Canva – Just download, resize if needed, & print!
zen BLITZ 