I am not one of those “I wake up at 4:30 AM and journal for two hours while drinking celery water” people. If you are, I respect you. But that is not the vibe here.
This is my realistic, slightly chaotic, but low-key life-changing morning routine.
The things I do before 8 AM that make me feel like I have at least 10% control over my life.
And if you are trying to romanticize your mornings without turning into a productivity robot, this is for you.
Here are the things I actually do before 8 AM.
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Step 1: Get up at 7 am
Most days I wake up naturally before the alarm rings.
At first, it was difficult but after a few days, my body got used to it.
Avoid hitting the snooze button for 5 extra minutes of sleep. Those 5 minutes could easily turn into an hour!
If you are not habituated to waking up early, here is a simple tip. Keep your phone near you while you go to bed at night.
Once the alarm rings, grab your phone and scroll through your Instagram feed for a minute or two. You will feel less sleepy in no time.
Many of you might disagree with me about using the phone after waking up. But this really helps to wake up your mind in the morning.
You can also put on some music on Spotify. It gives me energy and wakes my body up.
Step 2: I Make My Bed
Yes, I am that person now.
It takes two minutes, but it makes my room look cleaner. And when I come back later, it feels like I have my life together. Mentally, it feels like I already completed one task. Tiny win. We love tiny wins.
Taking care of your space is also a form of self-care. It is impactful in the long run.
Step 3: Drink water
Hydrating is one of the key morning habits.
As soon as I wake up, I have a huge glass of warm water before heading straight into the bathroom.
Having a glass of water in the morning is super important for our health as our body gets dehydrated throughout the night for long hours of sleep.
Moreover, there are many physical benefits of drinking water right after you wake up.
I head over to the bathroom, brush my teeth, wash my face and apply some moisturizer. I have been using CeraVe moisturizer for a long time.
Step 4: Meditation
Meditation helps me to detach from all the stresses and worries of my daily life.
I focus on my breath and say some positive affirmations. It gives me a positive vibe and makes me more optimistic.
Here are some of the positive affirmations you can start saying:
- I am worthy
- I am strong
- I am enough
- I am capable
- I am beautiful
Step 5: Coffee and Journaling:
I enjoy my morning coffee while seeing the sun stream through the windows.
While I wait for my coffee to cool, I journal my thoughts.
Journaling is one of the best things to improve your life.
It is mostly based on daily life events that have happened to me. I write my heart out to relieve my mental stress and it is a great way to start the day.
Step 6: Workout:
I like to do some light stretching and bodyweight exercises which consist of planks and situps.
Working out in the morning helps my body to fully wake up and it also makes me feel alive.
You can even go out for a morning walk. Some fresh morning air is refreshing and will make you feel more energized.
Moreover, if you have a pet, you can take him on a walk with you.
Step 7: Have breakfast and write my to-do list
I prefer a fiber-rich breakfast every morning. I usually have a mix of oats, chia seeds and sunflower seeds.
Cooking at home saves A LOT of money! This is another reason I wake up earlier so that I have time to prepare my food. It is healthy and pocket-friendly as well!
While having my breakfast, I prioritize my work with the help of a to-do list.
I write down a list of achievable goals for that day. It helps me to stay focused and be highly productive throughout the day.
The one with higher priority can be done and dusted in the early morning. It gives an immense sense of satisfaction to look at the list at the end of the day to see how much I have accomplished.
Step 8: Listen to a podcast
Finally, I listen to a podcast while getting ready for the day
I love listening to motivational podcasts while doing my hair and makeup. Motivation builds positive energy inside me and I can head on to work with the right mindset.
Check out On Purpose by Jay Shetty. They bring some fascinating conversations with the most insightful people.
Make Every Morning Count!
Your morning does not need to look like a Pinterest board to be powerful. It just needs to feel good to you.
You do not have to wake up at 5 AM. You do not need a 12-step routine. Start with one or two things. Build from there. Romanticize your real life, not a version that exhausts you.
Before 8 AM, you get to decide the energy of your day. And honestly, that is kind of powerful.
Most of you might not have the ability to have a lengthy morning routine. In that case, just pick up a couple of things to do every day.
Is there any other productive morning routine that you follow? Do let me know in the comments.
Thank you so much for reading!
