Hey there! Let’s talk about mornings. If you’re anything like I used to be, the sound of your alarm probably fills you with a special kind of dread. Trust me, I get it. I was the queen/king of the snooze button, and “morning routine” sounded like something only Instagram influencers could achieve.
But here’s the thing – I discovered that having a morning routine doesn’t mean waking up at 4 AM to meditate on a mountaintop or drink some fancy green juice. It’s actually about finding small, doable habits that work for YOU.
Let’s Get Real About Mornings
Do you know how everyone’s always saying, “Win the morning, win the day”? Well, they’re not totally wrong, but they’re usually not telling you the whole story. Our brains are actually pretty sharp in the morning (once we’ve managed to wake up properly), and we can use this to our advantage without torturing ourselves.
Simple Habits That Actually Work (No Guru Required)
1. The Tiny Early Start
Look, I’m not going to tell you to wake up two hours earlier tomorrow. Let’s start with just 10 minutes. That’s it. It’s like dipping your toe in the water instead of doing a cannonball. Ten minutes gives you a moment to actually exist before diving into your day.
2. Water Before Coffee (I Promise It’s Worth It)
I know, I know – don’t talk to me before my coffee, right? But hear me out. Keep a water bottle by your bed and drink it first thing. Your body’s been without water for hours, and this simple hack makes a surprising difference. Plus, your coffee will still be there in a few minutes!
3. The Bed-Making Thing
Okay, my mom was right about this one (don’t tell her I said that). Making your bed takes like two minutes, and it somehow makes you feel like you’ve got your life together. It’s weird, but it works.
4. Move a Little (No Gym Required)
I’m not talking about a CrossFit session here. Just stretch, do a few jumping jacks, or dance to your favorite song. Anything that gets you moving for five minutes counts. Your body will thank you for not jumping straight from bed to desk.
5. The Three-Thing Rule
Grab a piece of paper (or your phone) and write down just three things you really want to get done today. Not twenty. Three. This has saved my sanity more times than I can count.
Where People Usually Mess Up (So You Don’t Have To)
- Trying to Do All the Things
I learned this the hard way – trying to become a morning person, yoga master, and meal prep chef all at once is a recipe for giving up by day three. - Following Someone Else’s Perfect Morning
That CEO’s morning routine you read about? Yeah, they probably have a personal chef and no kids to get ready for school. Do what works for YOUR life. - Fighting Your Nature
Some of us are night owls, and that’s totally fine. Work with your natural rhythm, not against it.
Making It Actually Stick (Without Losing Your Mind)
Here’s what I’ve found works:
- Pick ONE thing to start with
- Give it a few weeks
- Adjust when life gets real (because it will)
- Set yourself up the night before
- Don’t beat yourself up on the days it all goes wrong (we all have them)
The Cool Thing That Happens
Once you get into a groove with your morning routine, something kind of magical happens. You start making better decisions throughout the day, handling stress better, and feeling more in control of your time. It’s like this weird domino effect of good stuff.
Real Talk
Look, some days will still be a mess. You’ll oversleep, your kid will have a meltdown, or your pet will decide that 3 AM is the perfect time to throw up on your carpet. That’s life. The goal isn’t perfection – it’s just having a few reliable habits that help you feel more put together most days.
Start small, keep it simple, and find what works for you. Your perfect morning routine might look totally different from mine, and that’s exactly how it should be.
Remember, you’re not trying to become a morning routine superhero – you’re just trying to make your days a little bit better, one morning at a time. And hey, if you manage to make your bed and drink some water tomorrow, that’s already a win in my book! 😊