Did you know that making small changes to your morning routine can improve your entire day? It took me some time to realize this. There were days (and honestly, I still have them when I don’t make time for my morning routine) when I often feel like I am running out of time at the end of the day to get everything done.
Before I learned how to make the most of my morning routine, my mornings didn’t always go over smoothly, which made me feel stressed and annoyed — not the way I wanted to start out my day!
And so, I decided my morning routine needed to get a makeover so I could feel energized and on my game throughout the day, and still have energy when evening rolls around.
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My mornings used to be unpredictable and I was all over the place. Clothes go flying, as I tried to figure out what to wear, leftovers were thrown into a Tupperware for lunch, and I quickly grabbed a breakfast I could eat in the car or at my desk as I tried to get out the door on time for work. Can you relate to this scenario?
Out of desperation to maintain some sanity in the mornings and be more proactive in getting things crossed off my “to do” list so that I could do more with friends and family in the evenings and work on growing FitLiving Eats after my day job, I’ve decided to set a new goal one month. I decided I was going to wake up (a lot) earlier to get some work done and allow myself more time to get out the door in the mornings.
Those that know me well probably thought this was going to be a failed experience because I wasn’t really a morning person at all.
But with the help of a 30-day challenge I signed up for during the time I attempted to implement this change, I felt positive I could stick with this and make the most of my morning routine.
Morning Routine Tip #1: Set Your Alarm Incrementally Earlier
Instead of jumping into the deep end and trying to get up an hour earlier than you’re used to, make the changes incrementally over time. Start with getting up 5 minutes earlier than normal for a few days. Then push it back 5 more minutes for a few more days and so on until you’re at the time you’d like to start waking up regularly.
This will give your body time to adjust and it won’t be a shock to your system. You’ll ease more into the morning routine and be more likely to stick with it since it’s not such an abrupt change.
Morning Routine Tip #2: Make Time for You
The morning doesn’t have to be all about getting things done or going-going-going. Start the day off on a positive note by doing something for YOU, that you enjoy doing and that brings you joy. Whether that’s listening to your favorite song, reading a few chapters while you sip your coffee or smoothie, or making notes of a few things you’re grateful for. This will help set the tone for a positive day.
Morning Routine Tip #3: Lay Out Your Clothes
Whether you’re going to the gym first thing in the morning or heading into the office, lay out your clothes the night before. Not only will this save you time in the morning, but it will also reduce frustration of “what should I wear.” The indecisions not only take time, they also add stress and annoyance first thing in the morning.
What are some helpful tips you have for not feeling rushed in the morning? Share with me in the comment section below!
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56 Responses
What a neat challenge and perfect for the back to school season.
Yes! What a great time to start getting better at morning routines 🙂
I cherish my morning routine. Starting next week there will be some changes due to my work schedule being different but no doubt the time will still be cherished. Off to check out the challenge.
Have a fantastic Friday Carly!
Thanks, Jill! You too. I would love if you did the challenge with me. If nothing else, I think I could learn some great tips!
I actually just wrote a post about this because I love my mornings so much. I was never a morning person until I found a reason to love getting up every morning! I’m always looking for ways to get the most out of my morning. Will have to check out the challenge!
I read your post and love it! I’m finding that it is becoming a little easier to get up earlier than I normally would, since I have really enjoyed the work I’ve been putting in to my blog and savor this time to be able to write posts!
My husband always jokes about how “I’m always early for things but it’s always a crisis to make it that way!” I am always rushing around, deciding what to wear, searching for something that is missing, or throwing things in my gym bag (that I should have gotten ready the night before)! I am a total morning person but they are usually spent doing a million things…I would love to learn to slow down and cherish them more! I like the idea of this challenge!
I am the same way! I hate being late, but I almost give myself a heart attack in the process of getting ready. Hope you join the challenge with me!
I love the idea of this! I love my morning routine… It sets my day in the right direction.
I think a consistent morning routine can really start your day off right! Thanks for stopping by, Liz. Have a great weekend!
Im great at getting up in the morning and getting things done……but maybe I should sign my husband up..shhhhh
Ha! You could totally enter his email and “surprise” him 😉
Lol! Your morning routine sounds just like mine. I”m usually running like a mad woman so I don’t miss the bus, and my neighbors often joke with me about it. This is a great challenge, and I’m signing up like now!
Evi – I’m so excited to hear that you are joining the challenge! I hope it helps jumpstart me in a better morning routine. Check in and let me know how it’s going for you. I would love to hear your thoughts!
A good morning routine can definitely set the tone for the rest of the day. I am the opposite of morning person, but I definitely try to force myself to have a good morning routine (and the days that I fail miserably, I am held accountable by all of the hungry waiting farm critters that begin to gather on my porch lol).
Lara – I’m with you. I don’t think I’ll ever be a “morning person”, but I do think that I can be more proactive in setting a better morning schedule. Thanks for stopping by!
Love this post <3 while i feel I have a solid morning routine, around midday my schedule starts to unravel and im stressed by the evening. Looking forward to joining your challenge.
Whoohoo! That can happen to me too, sometimes. That’s why I want to try and accomplish more in the morning instead of waiting until the late afternoon/evening when there’s lesser chance of getting it done. Have a great weekend!
I love this idea! I signed up for the challenge because I believe that starting our mornings off right makes the whole day run so much more smooth. I’ve got a routine that works but i’m always up for tips to help me even more!
Yay, Leslie! I’m so happy to have someone joining me in the challenge. Check in and let me know how it’s going for you! I’m going to do a recap once the 30 days is up on what I learned, and would love your input. I totally agree – cheers to starting our mornings off right!
I *have* to get up before my kids or my entire day is thrown into a whirlwind of CRAZY and CHAOS. I can relate so much to the tornado mentality of getting ready when things don’t go right! Can’t wait to hear more about this as you work to re-do your routine! 🙂
Thanks, Claire! I’ll be doing a review at the end of the month to highlight what changes I’ve made and what I learned, so be sure to check back!
I can totally relate as I must get up before my kiddos do!
I love thisi blog post and I love this challenge. I’m a morning person anyway, but it’s great for someone who is not and wants to try.
Thanks Marvina! I’m hoping the challenge helps give me the boost I need 🙂
A few months ago, I started waking up an hour before I needed to and I found myself much more relaxed and prepared for the day. Of course there are still morning’s when something goes wrong and I end up leaving the house a little later than I should, but I’m not in a frazzled state because of my lateness.
Rae – I want to get to that place one day! I have started to get up earlier and it has helped, but I still feel like I’m running out of time at the end of the day, so I’m looking for a little extra boost. Happy Friday!
Great idea! I am so not a morning person, but it would be a great time to get things crossed off the to-do list!
Meg- I’m not either, but I’m realizing I need to be in order to have the time I need to get things done!
My mornings are ALWAYS rushed. Maybe it’s because I’m up at 5!! But I need to be better about my nighttime routine, in order to enjoy my MORNING routine. Being firm about no phones in bed, as well as being okay with putting off last-minute blogging stuff until the next day. Looking forward to hearing about your journey!
5 am is so early! No phones is bed is my weak spot. I’m trying to get better about my night routine so that I can enjoy my mornings more, too, but it’s tough! Have a great weekend, Jess 🙂
Sounds like great challenge, my morning are much the same… but generally start with me answering a few emails, writing new posts, realising how late I am for work and then running around like a mad woman!
Alyssa – that totally sounds like my mornings recently too! I try and fit in blogging work wherever I can around my day job and my mornings usually suffer because of it!
I am a morning person now, but it took me a while to get into a comfortable routine. The key is go to bed early. I always have coffee ready in the morning. I never use the snooze button. I just get up and make it happen. It also helps for me to write out my “to do” list the night before on a piece of paper, so I can go to bed not worrying about those things.
That’s the hardest part for me right now – going to bed early. By the time I cook dinner, do some blog work and spend a little bit of time with my husband it’s usually way past my the time I had wanted to get to bed. Working on it! That’s a great idea. I am going to start writing down my to do list before ed instead of when I wake up!
Just signed up! This might be the kick in the pants I need! 😉
Awesome, Charissa! You and me both. Check back and let me know your thoughts – I would love to hear how you like the challenge!
Great challenge! I try to wake up earlier by 10-15 min increments so that it doesn’t feel too drastic. Good luck! You get so much done when you are able to wake up and be functional in the morning.
Hi Lyanna! For me, I have to just set a time that’s a lot earlier than I would normally wake up, so I’m not tempted to push snooze until my normal time. I’m looking forward to getting more done in the morning 🙂
Love! I need a new morning routine that doesn’t involve sloughing in the bed over Facebook until the last minute! 🙂
Haha! Ginger, me too! My morning routine is a work in progress…
My morning routines surely could use a make over… thanks for sharing that challenge. I am going to look into it!
You are welcome! If you join the challenge, check back and let me know what you think – I would love to hear your thoughts!
Sometimes I feel like there are not enough hours in the day. My morning starts at 3:30 am, but I find myself rushing every morning.
Hi Talitha! What time do you go to bed in order to get up that early?? 3:30 am is impressive! Thanks for stopping by my blog 🙂
If I take a nap after work 10pm, if not sometimes 8 or 9pm.
K so I signed up for this challenge after I saw you post it on Insta! I’m excited to see how it helps. I am in the same boat as you – running around like crazy before I leave… and then running back in after I leave because I always forget something. Hope we can both make mornings better!
Me too, Shannon! Haha, yes… I always feel like I’m forgetting something. It’s usually my keys or phone which are totally worth running back in for. I would love to hear how what you think of the challenge as we get started! Hope you had a great weekend 🙂
Wow this sounds really interesting, I may just have to show up!!!
Sam – You should totally join us! I’m hoping for some key takeaways to incorporate into my morning routine.
I never thought I’d love the early morning.. until I had a child. =) Now I’m up at 4:45 every morning for my usual routine: Coffee, Bible, workout, shower, breakfast. All before my daughter wakes up between 6:30 and 7:00. For me, I feel like my day is off to a great start if I exercise. Even if it’s for 20 minutes, you still get your heart pumping and you set yourself up for a better day!
That is such an early wake up time, but I know that will be me one day, too! I agree with you on getting workouts done in the morning. I am quickly realizing that I need to prioritize early morning workouts because it’s so easy to make excuses later in the day.
I’ve worked night shifts for my entire career and trying to make the transition to morning person. Yes, I signed up for the challenge!
Yay! Cynthia, I would love to hear your thoughts at the end of the challenge. I can’t imagine how difficult it would be to work night shifts and then try and get on a “regular” schedule. You go, girl!
So guilty…! I just cannot get out of bed in the mornings. Every little minute counts! Ha But yeah, I do need to be better. Signing up!
I’m not a morning person either! But I have found that having something to look forward to about waking up earlier definitely helps 🙂