Before kids, I was a chronic snoozer. I set my alarm intentionally 27 minutes before I actually had to get up, because it was a multiple of 9 that allowed me exactly 3 presses of the snooze button before I has JUST enough time to get ready for work. I then proceeded to make myself officially late by wasting inordinate amounts of time staring at the coffee maker, staring at my closet, staring at walls…who even knows where the time went, but I was ALWAYS a few minutes late.
I would never have described my morning routine as efficient, productive, or basically anything but a mess, let alone as positive, motivating, energy producing, creative, or centering. But it was my routine, because I didn’t know any better. I’m not sure I truly realized how beneficial time alone was to my energy until my first son was born and I suddenly had NONE. I would wake up to the sounds of my baby’s cries and immediately fill with resentment and dread of facing the day…and then came the guilt for feeling that way.
I didn’t make an immediate attempt to change. I honestly didn’t know any better, but the eventual catalyst for me working toward taking back my mornings was my decision to start my fitness journey. The older my son got and the less he slept during the day, the more I reluctantly began to admit that if I wanted to make fitness a daily habit, it was going to have to happen in the early morning hours when everyone else was asleep, because it was the ONLY time I wasn’t going to be interrupted. I was not by ANY means a morning person, but I was about to become one.
In the beginning, my workouts were 30 minutes long, and I would drag myself out of bed exactly 35 minutes earlier and take my cup of coffee down to the basement to press play. The first 5 minutes were PAINFUL, but I noticed my energy level quickly skyrocketed, and by the time I was done, the rest of my morning routine of getting ready seemed to run more smoothly (with less staring at walls!). I wouldn’t say I ever started enjoying getting out of bed, but the results I was getting from my workouts, combined with how I FELT when I was done, propelled me forward and motivated me to continue with the new habit.
It was only over the last few years that I delved into morning routines on a deeper level and really looked at research surrounding the most successful people and their morning habits. Since then, my morning routine has evolved from an irritating necessity…a means to an end that I made happen a few times a week…to a sacred time I crave and truly love and look forward to daily. I have come to learn that the positive changes I was experiencing weren’t just in my head. There are proven benefits to using the early morning to fuel your mind, body, & spirit for the day. Just as I had experienced, a solid morning routine can not only help you get in that workout and rev your metabolism and energy first thing in the morning, but it can also set the tone for a healthier day and provide focus, calm, and clarity that will help you identify your purpose, set your intentions, and make progress toward your goals. And quite honestly, as a teacher turned Realtor and as a mom who knows that her day has the potential to turn to total chaos at the drop of a hat, I cling to my mornings like a security blanket…a constant…because even if the rest of the day is a disaster, at least I had my morning routine to keep me centered and in a positive place.
My mornings now are truly magical for me, and I NEVER thought I’d say that. This former snooze button queen now fills her morning with quiet reflection, gratitude, meditation, reading, journaling, hydration, and sweat…most of which are things I would have told you were silly years ago. Now, when my alarm goes off between 5 and 5:30 AM, my mind immediately drifts to the smell of fresh brewed coffee and the cozy old grey cardigan draped at the foot of my bed, my feet hit the floor, and I’m ready to start my day.
So what does my morning look like these days? This is my current morning routine:
- Coffee, silence, and gratitude: Normally this is just me, a cup of coffee, a cozy blanket, and my cat. I sit, watch the sun come up, and think of things that I am grateful for. Sometimes I write them down.
- Devotional reading: This is a short daily reading to strengthen my relationship with God and inspire my actions and relationships throughout the day.
- Meditation: I use an app with a 5-10 minute guided meditation to clear my mind and feel centered and focused.
- Journaling: Journal writing, list making, filling out my planner, prioritizing, and setting my intentions…putting thoughts on paper to clear my mind.
- Sweat: I press play on a 20-60 minute workout in my guest room, depending on the day and what program I am currently following.
When I follow my morning routine, I find that I am HAPPY to greet my children when they wake up. I am ready to help them start THEIR day, because I have already started mine with so many things that fill my cup. I am more patient, calm, and grounded in faith, gratitude, and love. I am the mom and wife I WANT to be to those I love. I am more productive, because I know what I want and need to accomplish. I have more energy, I FEEL better, and I am happier. There is less chaos and more laughing. And while it is NOT perfection…kids are kids and life happens…there is more tolerance and planning for the inevitable hiccups. Somehow, life is just better when mama wakes up early!
This is what I do, but it has evolved and continues to evolve as I learn more about myself and what makes me better. It is personal and sacred, and I think everyone should create a morning routine that is unique and special. If you need some great tools to help you get started, here are some of my favorite tools and books that have helped me in creating and implementing my own morning routine that I think you’d love!
Favorite morning routine “tools”:
- 100 Days to Brave by Annie F. Downs
- She Works His Way daily devotional app
- Headspace app
- Day Designer planner from Target
Favorite morning routine reads that have helped my shape my own morning routine:
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod
This is a GREAT book about the elements of a morning routine found to be shared by the worls’ most successful people. You’ll learn the “life SAVERS” and begin to build your own routine you love.
The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins
I’m mildly obsessed with this book and her. If you struggle with the snooze button and need a little bit of tough love mixed with empathy, compassion, motivation, and some serious hard truth, this is for you. This is a great read to increase your productivity and start making the things happen! THIS is the book that got me to be able to actually GET OUT OF BED when the alarm went off!
This is a different one…seems bizzarre at first, but stick with it! It’s written as a story about a diverse group of characters, and there are really interesting and fantastic nuggets of wisdom about creating an effective morning routine throughout. They won’t be lost on you! Join an entrepreneur & an artist as they learn the elements and benefits of an ideal morning routine and are inducted into the 5AM Club. Check out Robin’s podcast too!
Are you interested in creating your own morning routine? Want to join me community of support? Contact me for more info!
