I don’t know about you but the mornings are my sacred time. I have established a morning routine that allows me to ease into my day and have some me time. I’ve tried several times to be a 5am wake up and get busy girlie. But I soon found out that was not at all sustainable for me. First of all, 5am is just too dang early to do anything and secondly, though it’s trendy, it didn’t work for my lifestyle. Below I list some of the ways I prepare myself for the day and the sustainable morning routine I’ve established that helps me ease into a productive day. *Note the suggestions in this post work for my lifestyle as a single woman with no children.
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Since I primarily work from home, one thing I had to make sure I did was establish a sustainable morning routine. The discipline of getting up on time (most days, let’s be real) and actually getting prepared to work was required for me to be successful. What I quickly found out was that rolling out of bed and right to my desk was not the move. In the mornings, I need to actually wake up fully before I can process anything work-related.
Morning Yoga
Getting a good stretch in before I have to sit all day not only improves my mood but helps me focus. I know, it sounds corny and new age, but hear me out. I do a routine that is between 15 and 20 minutes of light stretches and that focuses on waking up the body. It also gives me a chance to breathe deep and shake the sleep fog off. At the end of the practice, I get a little prayer of gratitude in and then I’m ready to keep it moving
Morning Skincare Routine
Even if I’m not going out for the day or wearing makeup, I never skimp out on my morning skincare routine. Since there have been no nail salon or hair appointments, my skincare has become my much needed spa break. It’s a small moment of luxury I allow myself before I get started on my day. Here are 5 products in my morning skincare routine
Get Dressed
I cannot work in pajamas, I just can’t. I need to wash up, pull my hair into a bun and put on some actual clothes. Even if it’s a loungewear set, I have to put on real clothes. Shorts and a tee-shirt, a comfy sundress or even a pair of my favorite comfy leggings real clothes are a must. Some days I’ll do some light makeup and make sure my hair looks decent. Looking good makes me feel good, sounds cliche but it works.
Water, Coffee, Breakfast
Most mornings I wake up ravenous and thirsty. I keep my 40 oz water tumbler filled up at all times. When I get up and brush my teeth, the next thing is drinking at least a glass or two of water. I’m that thirsty. Coffee is a given, I mean when I worked in the office my coffee maker would be set to start brewing when my alarm went off. Breakfast is normally toast or an egg of some sort and more coffee. I don’t know about you but I can’t focus when I’m hungry or caffeine deprived.
Limited Screen Time
This last one is the most challenging for me. No screen time for the first hour after I wake up. My phone is on DND from 10 pm until 7 am every single day. I had a bad habit of rolling over and before the crust was wiped from my eyes, I was scrolling Twitter or Instagram. Taking in all of the energy from a timeline, seeing bad news stories and liking photos before I was even out of the bed. It really set the tone in a negative way for my day. I’ve noticed that since I don’t look at my phone or open any apps for the first hour, I have the chance to focus on my own thoughts and feelings. This also gives me a chance to pray or write out my prayers and really get centered. Making sure that I check in with myself before I check social media is the most necessary part of my morning routine.
Do you have a sustainable morning routine? What makes your mornings work for you? Leave a comment below.
XOXOXO-Lydia Marie
