There’s a reason morning routines are so trendy right now. They truly can make or break your entire day. Starting the day off strong can result in me humming along to the radio as I drive, smiling at strangers and feeling like a powerful badass businesswoman. Starting my day off not so well can result in me screaming “GO BITCH” at the top of my lungs because someone waited 0.2 seconds to move after the light turns green and an impulsive decision to eat fries for breakfast. It’s kinda critical is all I’m saying.
I am obsessed with learning about the habits of successful people and have been tweaking my own morning routine for years. There are certainly things I’ve tried that I did NOT enjoy no matter how much I tried to convince myself I should (hello apple cider vinegar shots and hot yoga). So my morning routine might sound like your own personal hell but it’s what works for me and I have to say I totally love it.
When I’m able to go through this routine flawlessly I feel so ready to work, so ready to serve and so ready to be my best self. I am happier, healthier and more productive. So if you’ve been wanting to improve your morning routine and are looking for some inspiration then check out what I do every morning to set up my day for success below.
5:00 AM
Coffee, coffee, coffee
Yes, you read that correctly. My crazy ass gets up every morning Monday-Friday at 5 am. This is a new addition to my morning routine and I honestly can’t believe I’ve ever lived any other way.
I had been trying to get myself to get up earlier so I could start working earlier for months but always struggled to get up earlier than 7 am. But one day, for some reason, when the alarm went off at 5 am I just got up, turned it off, turned my Kerug on and made it happen.
After getting to enjoy the ease of the early morning, getting more time to myself and avoiding having to rush, I have been addicted. I love that time of the day and truly enjoy getting up that early. Obviously, this means I’m aiming to be in bed by 8:30/9 most nights but can manage to still get up early if I end up not making it into bed until 10.
I have my phone plugged into an outlet in my kitchen to charge, which forces me to actually get out of bed so that definitely helps! The first and only thing on my mind when I hear my alarm go off is coffee. Coffee now. Get in my veins.
5:10 AM
Meditation & gratitude
Next, I will take my coffee into my bedroom and crawl back into bed. I fluff up some pillows to prop behind my back, grab a comfy throw blanket and sit there and just enjoy. I sip my coffee and let my mind wander (usually thinking about what to make for dinner that night) and just let myself do nothing for a few minutes. My life is just non-stop working and going and moving so these early morning moments are total bliss.
Then I use my Simple Habit app to meditate for 5-10 minutes which allows me to relax and just be in the moment even more. Other than using this app I don’t look at my phone during this time because I really want this to be my time. I know if I see something from the news or a work email I will immediately go into work/stress mode and this is not the time for that.
I like to journal after I meditate and list a few things I’m grateful for. They vary from the mundane things in life (“I am grateful that today my avocados are ripe”) to the more sentimental things (“I’m grateful for my sweet parents who feed me whenever I visit”). This really puts things into perspective and sets a great tone for the day.
Sometimes I’ll use this time to free write in my journal or read as well. It just depends on what I’m in the mood for! Right now I’m reading Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman. If you’ve read it, tell me what you think in the comments!
5:45 AM
To-do list & change for the gym
I will finally peel myself out of bed, put my mug in the sink and move into my office. I’ll open my planner or my google calendar and take a look at what is on the agenda today. I’ll also see what didn’t get done earlier in the week and then craft a to-do list. I know that not everything will get done so I highlight which items are my “must dos” and which ones can wait. Once I have an idea of what I’m doing that day I will change for the gym, brush my teeth and put my hair up in a bun.
6:00 AM
Gym
If I had to pick my favorite time to work out it would definitely be mid-afternoon because I do my best work in the mornings and would prefer to use that time for writing, but my schedule rarely allows for a mid-day workout sesh. I’m usually running errands or hopping on calls during that time and because I hate working out at night and try to avoid it at all costs, the morning is usually the time I head to the gym.
I make the short drive to my gym, do an ab workout, always squats, get in some cardio and then do an arm/leg workout depending on the day. Even though I like working out in the afternoon there is something really nice about getting your blood pumping in the morning! It totally wakes me up and the endorphins get my day off to a great start.
7:00 AM
Shower, get dressed & make the bed
Once I’m home I immediately hop in the shower because I am usually sweaty af. Once I’m clean I pick out my outfit for the day (and usually post it on Instagram, because I’m #basic) and make my bed. I truly never will understand why every person doesn’t make their bed in the morning. It takes two seconds and then you get to come home to a cozy looking bed and a clean room. For me it’s non-negotiable. I don’t leave the house for the day without doing it first.
7:45 AM
Emails, lemon water, vitamins & breakfast
At this point in the morning, I am usually getting pretty hungry so it’s time to fuel my body. I put on some hot water and start making breakfast. I will either have a protein shake, a smoothie bowl or veggie sausage links and an apple. To see what I eat in a day to stay lean and energized, click here!
Once breakfast is ready I’ll squeeze a lemon into my hot water and take a seat at my desk. Lemon water is best first thing in the morning because it’s great for your gut and digestive system but ya girl needs her coffee at 5 am okay. Lemons will simply not do.
While I’m sipping my hot lemon water and eating my breakfast I’ll start taking a look at my inbox. I try to clear it out (deleting, moving to folders, responding, etc.) in fifteen minutes and anything in there that can’t be dealt with in that time frame is moved onto my to-do list for later in the day.
After I’m done eating and checking my email I make sure to take my vitamins. I take a women’s multivitamin, fish oils pills, a probiotic and vitamin C. This definitely makes a huge difference for my immune system and I know that taking them daily along with eating right is what keeps me from getting sick very often.
8:00 AM
Facemask, social media, texts & get to work
I am a facemask addict and love to wear them while I work. It’s a great way to multitask because I’m basically giving myself a facial while I get some work done. Depending on what my skin needs that day (sometimes it’s dry, sometimes I have a breakout, etc.) I’ll do 1-2 masks and then will usually let my skin breathe for the rest of the day. I really only put makeup on for shoots or social events these days.
I’ll also finally start checking into to Instagram and Facebook and respond to DMs and comments. I’ll start engaging with accounts I follow and look for new accounts that have similar content to my own. I’ll answer my texts and get completely caught up on all my apps.
Once that’s taken care of I am ready to officially start my work day! By 8:30 am I have had my coffee, meditated, worked out, gotten dressed, made my bed, cleared my inbox, eaten and given myself a facial. Maybe I’m being a little cocky, but that’s pretty impressive!
Again, my routine won’t be for everyone but if you see any elements you’d like to try let me know how it goes! You can find me on Instagram (@shesmilesblog), I respond to all my DMs 🙂
What’s your morning routine? Tell me in the comments below!
Xo, She
