I used to underestimate morning routines. I thought they were celebrity fads or for elite athletes. I was a real night owl, and I thought nothing of staying up until the early hours, knowing full well I had work the next day, because “an energy drink will fix it.” I would arrive at work stressed and all over the place.
Fast forward to today, I am a morning person. I enjoy the peace, and it has become one of my favorite times of the day. I get to places calm, prepared, and happy, all from making a few small changes. The benefits of a morning routine are many, and it can have a huge positive impact on your mood throughout the rest of the day. In this post, we’ll explore a step-by-step guide to help inspire your own morning ritual to make you feel refreshed, energized, and ready to conquer the day!
The Wake-Up Call: My Chaotic Mornings
Oversleeping was my norm because I always stayed up late. I was always late for work and often forgot items at home. I drank a cup of coffee as soon as I opened my eyes and would pile on makeup to make me look “alive.” I never knew what I was going to wear and would end up pulling out my whole closet. Breakfast, if you can call it that, was even more coffee and maybe an overcooked fried egg shoveled into my mouth while running around trying to do other things. It was chaos, and I was the tornado tearing through the apartment, destroying everything. As you can imagine, it was equally horrible to come home to all the mess after a long shift at work.
The Turning Point
One day, I just got sick of it. I had to have a long, hard look at what I was doing with my time before and after work. Needless to say, it was very unproductive—waking up just in time to hastily get ready and run to work, then getting home and binge-watching a TV series while doom-scrolling.
Fresh Start: Building New Habits
I started to build new habits slowly, waking up a little earlier to do a (Brad Flinders) 5-minute guided meditation and a (Tara Stiles) 9-minute yoga sequence, both from YouTube. As soon as I got home, I set a timer and tidied up for 20 minutes. At the same time, instead of listening to music or watching something, I switched to motivational content and positive, inspiring speakers while doing tasks at home. I started to feel good relatively quickly, and after some time, other people noticed it too.
Find What Works For You
I tried a LOT of different morning routines, but this routine was where I settled, as it felt the most natural. Minimizing decisions by prepping as much as possible seemed to work best. In the beginning the common practice of meditating first thing had me falling back asleep, and morning journaling felt weird, so I dropped it.
As Tim Ferriss, author of The 4-Hour Workweek, says, “What you do in the morning determines what your day will look like.” Tailor your ideal morning routine to what feels right for you. Consistency is key.
Dos and Don’ts for a Great Morning Routine
DOs:
- Do wake up in good time. This is supposed to be a calm routine, moving at your own pace.
- Prep breakfast. Even having the oatmeal in the bowl (covered) and ready to add liquid in the morning helps. The fewer “doing” tasks, the more tranquil the routine.
- Pack your bag the night before.
- Prep your outfit or have an “emergency always works basic” backup outfit in mind to save you from wardrobe meltdowns.
- Play nice music or positive affirmations while you get ready. I love a good coffee shop vibe or Parisian playlist (love this Parisian Morning playlist on spotify by Eva, thank you Eva!). Or you can’t go wrong with a pep talk from your favorite motivational speaker. (Get them all prepped on a playlist in good time before.)
- Extend your routine with a book if you commute—something fun and fictional you’ll enjoy.
DON’Ts:
- Don’t stay up late the night before. Prioritize a good night’s sleep.
- Don’t be tempted by your social media. NO screen time at all is very important. It can bombard the senses and contribute to decision fatigue before you’ve even walked out the door.
- Don’t experiment. No impulse trying “that new brow technique” or anything that could potentially waste precious time and stress you out.
- Don’t check work emails. If there was an emergency that was so critical, they would phone you.
- Don’t feel like you have to stick to the same order or even start everything at once. Remember, small steps—we want it to be a lifestyle habit. 😊
My Go To Morning Routine
1. Tongue Scrape
This practice originated in India and is part of ancient Ayurvedic medicine. It has several benefits, including increased oral hygiene, enhanced taste, and better overall health. Try it for one week to see! 😊
2. Drink Water
A good night’s sleep is a lot of hours with no water, so it’s great to rehydrate ASAP, with the added benefit of the alertness after drinking water waking you up.
3. Physical Movement
A 5-minute stretch at the start of the day can work wonders, especially if you’re an over-thinker like me. I can wake up and have a million thoughts flood my brain as soon as I open my eyes. But focusing on 10 minutes of yoga helps my mental clarity.
4. Meditation
As with yoga, meditation serves the same purpose—pouring into yourself before anyone else at the start of the day. Five minutes is a good medium. Take more or less depending on how you feel.
5. Skincare Routine
Follow your usual skincare routine. I may use something cooling on my eyes if they still look sleepy.
6. While Skincare Absorbs, Lay Out Prepped Outfit
Try to prepare your outfit the night before. This time is just to lay everything out including accessories, and also to account for any last minute changes due to the weather.
7. Makeup And Healthy Breakfast (With Tea)
Now makeup and breakfast. A little different to the usual morning routine with a banquet breakfast and smoothie. But I generally do not feel like eating that much in the morning. I go for something super simple e.g. boiled egg (pre made), fruit, or greek yogurt, generally one ingredient, basic food. This will be with tea, so I dont over do the caffeine and affect my sleep.
8. Shower, Brush Teeth
Shower NOW you may ask? Yes indeed. I can get in that shower for hours and lose all track of time. Enjoying the warmth and relaxation, not the most sensible habit to have when you need to be somewhere. So this way with my makeup done, it forces me to have a 5 min shower or risk ruining my makeup.
9. Body Lotion, Hair, Get Dressed
While the lotion absorbs I will do something to my hair. On weekdays I mostly wash my hair at night as my cardio sessions are in the evenings. so I don’t usually bother with anything complex on regular days. Can’t go wrong with a classic bun or ponytail. Then I get dressed, spray a little perfume and I’m out the door.
10. Leave
By prioritizing a morning routine, you can positively impact the rest of your day and overall well-being. Taking that time to pour into yourself before the demands of the day is a proven way to start on the right foot. Remember to keep things simple and find what works best for you. The beauty of these morning rituals is that they require no extra cost—just a commitment to the new habit. Start small and gradually build up, e.g., begin with a morning stretch a few times a week, and in no time, you’ll have your perfect morning routine.
Expert Insights: Why Morning Routines Matter
As Mel Robbins, author of The 5 Second Rule, says, “The way you start your day determines the way you live your day.” Similarly, Robin Sharma, author of The 5 AM Club, emphasizes the importance of the first hour of the day—calling it the “golden hour” for personal growth and productivity.Minimizing decisions in the morning, as Barack Obama and Mark Zuckerberg famously do by wearing the same outfit daily, can free up mental energy for more important tasks later in the day.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of a morning routine are undeniable. It’s a great way to set the tone for a productive day and ensure you’re operating at your best. Whether you’re an early bird or a night owl, small changes can make a big difference. Start with one or two steps, and gradually build your ideal morning routine.
To further motivate and hold yourself accountable, consider starting a challenge with friends. Share your best morning habits and support each other on this journey toward a more mindful start of the day. Together, we can nurture habits that promote health, happiness, and success.
Summary of Key Points
- Start small: Build your routine gradually to make it sustainable.
- Minimize decisions: Prep the night before to reduce morning stress.
- Hydrate and move: Drink water and incorporate physical movement to wake up your body.
- Avoid screens: Keep your mornings screen-free to reduce decision fatigue.
- Tailor it to you: Your routine should feel natural and enjoyable.
Consistency is key: Stick to your routine to see long-term benefits 😊
