Since beginning a new job this summer, I really wanted to lean in towards creating a schedule that works for me. Without a commute, that frees up about 30 minutes of my morning. And I’ve always struggled with giving time to myself in the past few years. So I’ve created my ideal morning routine for weekday mornings.
What is a morning routine?
A morning routine is a checklist of sorts that allows you to begin your day by putting your best foot forward. You are following a path that will set you up for success for the rest of the day. You are essentially taking care of your needs first before you have to answer to other people’s needs throughout the work day.
Why should you have a good morning routine?
A good morning routine that fits into your daily life is paramount for you to be the best you each day. It’s about being present. It’s about being productive. It’s about taking care of yourself. And if you’re not taking care of yourself, then who is?
Ideal Morning Routine
5:30 a.m. – Wakeup
5:35 a.m. – Drink a Glass of Water
5:45 a.m. – Read a Chapter and Drink Coffee
6:30 a.m. – Workout
7:00 a.m. – Walk the Dog
7:15 a.m. – Shower and Skincare
7:25 a.m. – Power On My Work Computer
7:25 a.m. – Breakfast and Coffee
7:30 a.m. – Start Work
Tips and Tricks
Start the Night Before
The only way I can have a good morning is if I prepare the night before. After dinner, when we’re cleaning up the dishes, I will also empty the coffee filter from that morning. Then, I get my grounds and coffee ready with a schedule to brew at 5 a.m. I also keep a gallon pitcher of water and a clean, empty glass on my desk. Once I’m ready to drink my first glass of water, I head into the office one entire cup.
Set Your Phone Aside
I try not to check my phone the first thing after my alarm goes off. This was a difficult switch this summer because I was used to reading The Skimm as the first thing. But, after all of 2020, I was met with such negativity surrounding the news. I wanted to change the amount of negativity entering my brain when I’m only beginning to wake my brain.
Do a Brain Dump or Journal
Every once in a while I will wake up so full of energy and ideas. Instead of reading – or before I open a book – I will sit down with a notebook and do a brain dump. This exercise is to help me release all my thoughts, ideas, laundry list of to-do items, etc. onto one or two pages. The process really frees up some space in my head to help me set out on the right foot for the morning.
I’ve even done one or two dream writings, where I try to write out exactly what I dreamed that morning, but they are usually fleeting imagery and it’s difficult to capture.
What I Learned
Get Up Way Earlier
Some days I got up when my husband’s alarm went off at 4:30 a.m. Yes, this is early, but on the mornings that I made it out of bed, I was able to give myself a full extra hour of the day. I mostly read during that time, but it was an hour of escaping into a good book.
I was able to move slower throughout each step of my routine. It allowed me to not to be stressed out. My days were so much more relaxed overall.
Move Your Body
A simple 20 minute walk on the treadmill is enough to move your body. You can sweat a little bit and get your heart going. Just a little bit of exercise takes a way some stress and gives your mind some dopamine – plus its good for you!
Final Thoughts
I wanted to give myself time in the morning to take care of myself. The biggest pieces of my routine is that I have time to read and workout. So I’m caring for myself by expanding my mind and keeping my body healthy. I think this ideal morning routine is the biggest daily change I’ve every implemented in my life.
I’ve been working on this routine since July and it’s taken me a while to work out some hiccups (like actually getting up a 5:30). Trying to do better the next day kept my momentum up. If I was sore from working out, I would skip it. If I didn’t want coffee, I’d skip it. Try things out to see what sticks!
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