Establishing a Morning Routine

I LOVE the idea of routines. Starting the day with a consistent list of to-dos sets myself up for a great day because although I don’t always know what the rest of the day will bring, at least I can have control of the morning time! Morning is my favorite time of day, so I will mostly be diving into my A.M. routine.

In the past, I have set myself up for failure when it comes to routines. I have a little OCD and it works against me at times! For example, if I plan to leave for work at 7:00, I beat myself up if I end up leaving at 7:02. When I originally dream up a routine, I want to include very specific steps with very specific times. However, this is my problem! If I leave out a step or if I am a few minutes off-schedule, in my head, I feel as though I have failed the entire routine and that there is just no reason why I should keep it up after that point (dramatic, I know).

Fortunately, I know myself well enough to see that although I WANT a very specific and timely routine, the result of the routine not being fully carried out are too much to gamble when it affects me so negatively.

Keep it Simple, Flexible, & Enjoyable

For the past month, I have been keeping up a morning routine that has actually been easy to stick with and I really don’t foresee myself getting burnt out on it anytime soon, either. I wondered what made this routine so much easier to stick with than other ones I have come up with, and I decided it is because it is simple, allows for flexibility, and I enjoy it!

The tasks are fairly general and the times are flexible (something I struggle with allowing myself to be, but the results have made it worth it). Also, I include tasks that are productive, healthy, and make me feel good!

Here is what my morning routine looks like:

4:55 alarm – I allow myself to snooze for a few and try to be up by 5:05 or so

Let the dogs out and feed them

Start yoga stretch and/or pilates workout by about 5:20 and finished up by 6:00 (if done early, make a hot drink and watch morning news)

Pack lunch & eat breakfast by about 6:15

Get dressed, hair, makeup – done by about 6:50

Put the dogs away, tidy up, get ready to leave – leave anywhere between 7:00 and 7:15

Super simple! I give myself flexibility by aiming for a time range to complete a task rather than a specific time. I am also flexible with my morning activity – sometimes it’s just a stretch, sometimes a workout, sometimes both. I don’t beat myself up if I don’t do a full workout because I know that even just the stretching is good for my body and makes me feel great!

BTW – A Routine Doesn’t Have to be Daily

Routines are not necessarily always daily ones. I would love for taking a relaxing bath every day to be a routine, but that is not a practical daily, or nightly, routine (when would my hair get washed?!). One that would be more “do-able” is a weekly bath routine. Tasks that you schedule weekly like this also give you something to look forward to! I love taking morning baths on Sundays to set me up for a relaxing yet productive self-care kind of day.

It Has to Work for YOU

Pinterest has so many posts titled “Must-Do Nightly Routine,” or 10 Things to Do in the Morning to Have a Good Day” as if there is a tried-and-true set of steps to have a successful day or night and if you aren’t following them, you’re not doing it right.

Side note: I actually LOVE reading others’ routines and think it’s so fun! I am not putting them down, I just know that in the past I have been one to think I need to accomplish 30 tasks before I can have a good day like the Pinterest post told me to do.

You don’t need me to tell you that not all people think alike and function the same. Some people are not morning people like I am, and would prefer an even simpler morning routine than mine that allows them to sleep in more. Someone who prioritizes sleep over a morning workout is not going to be successful with my routine, just as I would not be successful waiting to do a workout until the evening (to me, evenings are for relaxing)!

Others’ routines are merely examples and a way to inspire your own routines that align with your wants and needs. Sometimes a new routine is a trial-and-error type thing and you have to play around with it.

Only you know a routine that works best for you, and don’t be afraid to modify it to be more practical if needed. Keep it simple, flexible, and enjoyable!

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I hope this was helpful to you if you are trying to establish a routine! Best of luck to you!

Paige