Let’s be real: I never thought I would enjoy waking up at the crack of dawn. In fact, I’ve always been someone who presses snooze repeatedly, which usually translates to a frantic morning, being late to work, and inevitably rushing my entire day.
Another struggle since having kids (especially after my second) is feeling like I don’t have time for myself. I get home from work just in time for dinner and bedtime routines. By the time they’re complete, I’m so exhausted that I’m ready for bed myself.
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Finally, I decided to listen to all the (crazy) people who swear by waking up before everyone else. I’m not going to lie, it took me four tries of setting an alarm and continuing to press snooze. One day, I put my alarm across the room (so I had to get out of bed to turn it off), bit the bullet, and got up at 5:00 a.m. I’m now three weeks in, and I don’t think I’ll ever turn back. In fact, I find myself looking forward to waking up and having “me” time every morning. I’m even contemplating waking up at 4:00 a.m. to have another hour to myself.
Since I’ve started waking up earlier, I’ve developed somewhat of a routine. Everyone’s ideal morning will look differently, but I’ve included the changes I’ve made to my morning routine that have made me feel more energized, less overwhelmed, and changed my life for the better.
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Enjoy My Coffee
My first order of business: Turn on the coffee maker. Waking up earlier allows time to actually enjoy and savor my morning coffee (rather than chugging it on the way to work). There’s just something about a hot cup of coffee while enjoying the peace and quiet before everyone else wakes up. It soothes my soul.
Exercise
I used to call the gym my second home, but I rarely find time to exercise post-kids. Waking up earlier, I’m able to exercise for 20 – 30 minutes every morning. I’m taking this opportunity to explore a form of exercise I’ve always wanted to practice — yoga!
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Having ADHD, I used to write yoga off. It felt too slow, and I struggled with the breathing techniques. Since I now have more time on my hands, I decided to slow things down and give it a real shot. Who knew slowing down and breathing is exactly what I needed? I’ve also noticed a big difference in my posture in only three weeks. But if yoga’s not your thing, there are plenty of other ways to start your day with movement, of course.
Eat a Decent Breakfast
Truth be told, I used to eat a frozen waffle with peanut butter every morning. It’s all I had time for as I rushed out the door. Now, I can be more intentional with my breakfast. My favorite is an English muffin topped with egg and avocado, or yogurt with fruit and granola.
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Read or Journal
A recent goal of mine is to read at least one book per month. Waking up earlier allows for time to read a chapter in the morning. Other days, I enjoy journaling or reviewing my goals and dreams.
Prepare My Kids for the Day
. . . without getting frustrated.
I used to get really overwhelmed at night. I felt like I had so much to do all at once for school the next morning. Now, I can split up the school duties and do half at night and half in the morning.
I can also afford to slow our morning routine down a little bit. This helps tremendously with the feeling of frustration when my kids refuse to put on clothes or brush their hair. All in all, waking up earlier and having the chance to slow down our routine has resulted in less yelling and fewer tears. I’d say that’s a mom win!
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Get Ready for Work
. . . without feeling rushed.
I used to hate getting ready in the morning, but having more time has enabled me to actually enjoy it. Now, I have time to choose a playlist or podcast to listen to without feeling rushed.
Starting my day earlier has allowed me to have time to myself, have a calmer morning with my kids, get to work early, and set myself up for a great day. I know waking up at 5:00 a.m. can sound a little crazy, but if you’re feeling crunched for time to do the things you love, or if you’re always running behind, give it a shot!
If I can be converted to an early morning person, anyone can!
