A few years ago I decided to make a change.
Not a huge one. But big enough that it has impacted the way I parent my kids throughout the day.
So, I guess when I say it that way, it was a huge change.
What did I do?
I created a morning routine. Just for me. One that allows me time in the morning just for myself.
It’s not lengthy, or elaborate, or over-the-top. Also, I’m not even waking up at a ridiculously early time.
Why a Morning Routine is Important
As moms, we are pulled in a thousand directions throughout the day. Whether you work outside the home, stay home with your kids, work-from-home, or are some variation of one of these “types” of moms — you’re busy.
You’re needed.
Also, you’re probably overworked, a little overwhelmed, and quite tired.
Creating a morning routine that’s tailored specifically to your needs and desires will help set the tone for your entire day.
It allows you time to focus on the person you are and the person you wish to become.
What It Looks Like
Everybody is different and everybody’s morning routine will look different.
Before you create yours, ask yourself this, “What do I hope to accomplish during this time?” This doesn’t have to be a specific task. But rather, a specific feeling. A desired outcome.
Do you want your morning routine to be productive? Relaxing? Motivational? Health-focused?
Once you determine what your objective is, you can start crafting the details.
My Morning Routine
As a mom, one of the areas I struggle with is feeling impatient. I find it challenging to juggle all of life’s demands, along with the (seemingly) constant interruptions and stimulation that having young kids comes with.
So, I want my morning routine to leave me feeling relaxed, patient, grateful, and mentally prepared for the hours ahead.
6:20 a.m. Alarm goes off and I get ready (put in contacts, brush teeth, do skin care routine, throw my hair in a a quick ponytail, and get dressed)
6:45 a.m. Grab a cup of coffee, my phone, notebook and a pen
6:50 a.m. Read the “Verse of the Day” on the Bible app, then journal, writing out:
- the verse and some bullet journaling on it
- three things I’m grateful for
- three long-term goals I have
- three to-dos for that particular day
7:05 a.m. My kids come barreling down the stairs as their ok-to-wake clocks have just turned green
Be Flexible
There are some days my morning routine is executed “just right.” And other days, it’s interrupted, or cut short, or doesn’t happen at all.
That’s ok!
Also, it can be helpful to have a few variations of your routine so that you can flex it depending on how you feel or how much time you have. For example, I have a slightly different morning routine that swaps out the journaling for a walk or run outside.
In this case, it’s more beneficial to be flexible than rigid.
Fun Non-Negotiables:
Even with different variations of your routine, there should be a couple elements that always remain. Maybe for you these could include:
- A great morning beverage: coffee, tea, ice water with lemon
- Something you love to do (read, pray, stretch, journal, write out your day)
- Candles or essential oils diffusing, low lighting, good music
Key Considerations
I’m a big proponent for sleep and the importance of it. So, if your kids are still getting up in the middle of the night (or wake up extremely early), I would argue you need the extra time in bed more than you need to get up before them.
If your kids are older, you can be direct with them. Tell them that you’ll be doing a morning routine and ask them to respect your time during it. Bonus here: it’s great for our kids to see us being intentional and investing in ourselves.
For most of us, simply put, we will need to wake up a bit earlier to make this happen. This probably means you may need to start going to bed a bit earlier. Trust me, I’m not suggesting any of us short change ourselves in the sleep department!
I hope you’ll consider intentionally carving out this time. And I hope it pays dividends for you as well. Even the smallest step toward a more purposeful morning – one just for you – can change your whole day for the better!
Looking to create more structure in your day? Check out Bedtime Routine: Not Just for the Kids.
