You have probably heard it it said a million times in a million ways that it is good to have a morning routine. Things like: “all the most successful people have strict morning routines,” or, “how you spend your morning determines and influences the rest of the day.” And then there are countless other reasons like how morning routines help, “reduce stress, boost your energy levels and improve your productivity at work.”
The list goes on and on.
But I don’t think I need to convince anybody that a morning routine is beneficial. I also do not want to tell you what yours should look like. I simply want to share mine with the hope that it will provide some inspiration as you create and hone yours.
So without further adieu, here is my every day morning routine!
Caroline’s Morning Routine
A good morning routine starts at night!
Before I go to bed, I try to pick out my clothes for the next day and pack my lunch (if I am working!). This sets me up for less stress in the morning.
I usually try to be in bed by 9 and asleep by 9:30. Of course, some nights it is earlier. It is almost never any later!
Now, the hardest part of EVERYONE’s morning routine - waking up. The time I wake up depends on the day. On works days, I wake up at 5:30. Other days I tend to get up between 6:30 and 7:30.
As soon as I wake up, the very first thing I do before I get out of bed is take my temperature. I track my cycle and basal body temperature, so this is an essential in my routine.
Next, I head to the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth.
After I finish in the bathroom, I head straight to my blue/green chair in the living room. I have basically designated this chair as my “morning chair.” We never really use it aside from this time in the morning, unless we have people over and need extra seating.
The first thing I do during my chair time is read my Bible. Right now, I am reading through Psalms - one chapter a day.
After I have read, I get out my journal. I start by writing down a verse that stuck out to me. Below that, I make a list of things I am thankful for and things I am praying about. Then, I will take some time to pray. This usually looks like writing my prayer down in my journal.
When I am done with my journal, I will sometimes read a few pages of a book if I have time. Right now, I am reading “The Freedom of Simplicity” by Richard J. Foster.
This intentional time in the morning to be still and quiet helps me set my mind on the things that are truly important before allowing anything else to influence my mind that day.
When I get up from my chair, the sun has typically started to come up. I will usually step out onto our balcony to look at the sunrise. The natural light in your eyes tells your body it is daytime and helps regulate your circadian rhythm! Plus, it just helps me feel more awake.
After a minute or two, I come back inside and get started on breakfast. Many days, Jackson, my husband, is also waking up around this time. So, I will go ahead and make his breakfast when I am making mine.
While something is cooking or toasting, I will try to unload the dishwasher or put away dishes that are dry from the day before. This is not my favorite chore so making it a part of my routine has really helped me avoid putting it off!
Once my food is ready, I sit down at the table to eat. If Jackson is home, we will eat breakfast together, but many days he leaves for the gym around this time. On those days, while I am eating, I will typically watch a youtube video or listen to a podcast.
When I am finished eating, I will clean up the dishes. Again, not my favorite chore, but if I do it in the morning, I won’t come home to dirty dishes in the sink after work. And that is a win!
Once breakfast is over, I head to the closet to get dressed for my day. If I have picked out my clothes the night before, this is pretty easy! Whether I am working or just hanging out at home, I aim for confident & comfy.
After I am dressed, I do my makeup, brush my hair, and do anything else I need to do to feel put together for the day ahead.
Finally, I will grab my purse and my water bottle and start my day!
And that is my morning routine! It might seem like a lot to you, or it might seem like almost nothing! And that is okay! Everybody is different and will have different values and ideas for what they want their mornings to look like. The point is to have some intentionality behind the things you do every morning and make it fit YOU!
What does your morning routine look like? Comment below!
Talk to you next week!
Take care,
C