One of the most important things I’ve done to improve my life and be a happier mom? Creating a morning routine that gives me time for my goals.

 

Of course, I’ve always had a morning routine but it looked something like this:

1. Wake up to the lovely sound of my two tween daughters playing or fighting (depending on the day).
2. Try not to feel irritated that they busted into my bedroom and woke the baby.
3. Drag myself out of bed too late and use the bathroom with a baby on my lap.
4. Try to figure out how to get dressed and decent looking with the day attacking me already.

Ugh. Not pretty, right?

The thing is, we moms sometimes wake up in the morning depleted.

We’ve been fasting all night, and are likely dehydrated first thing in the morning (especially when nursing a baby).  It’s important to replenish our reserves before being called upon to do something as important as mothering.

In addition, during the busy mothering years, sometimes it’s terribly difficult for us to find time to pursue our own goals and passions. Those things that make us, US, and that make us more interesting, happy people.

Note: if you’re struggling in this area, go to this page where I offer a free ecourse called Make Time For You. I share my own deeply personal story of how taking time for myself saved me from depression and anxiety.

In the past, I felt justified sleeping in. When I had a baby still waking me in the night, I felt that I needed to. But here is the funny paradox: sleeping in did not make me feel more rested!

After reading about the benefits of a morning routine in book after book, I determined to try getting up before my kids.

In years past I had this routine, and I loved it. When I was a divorced mom of four little ones, getting up and getting work done on the computer before the kids got up was an economic necessity.

Amazingly, when I wake up early, I don’t feel more tired during the day. (I don’t know how to explain this.)

Create a Morning Routine

One Bite at a Time advises you to, when creating a morning routine, pick a few things to start your day off on the right note. No work just yet, or mindless computer surfing. Crystal Paine, in her wonderful Make Over Your Morning course, has some wonderful advice as well.

My morning routine changes to reflect what’s going on in my life and my current goals. 

For example, in 2011 it looked like this:

1. Get up, carefully… so as not to wake sleeping husband and offspring
2. Use bathroom, get dressed. Wash face, moisturize, wet my hair and style it a little (this takes all of 30 seconds)
3. Drink water, make tea or coffee. If I’m feeling hypoglycemic, eat a quick snack.
4. Go outside and read my Bible
5. Meditate for a few minutes on the verses I read, and think about the upcoming day. Pray about things on my mind and issues my kids and husband are facing.

Update 2017: My morning routine now looks like this. I start the night before by placing my outfit for the next day in the bathroom. I also make a quick breakfast to go.

• Up at 4:30 – dress, wash face, brush teeth, makeup and hair
• 5:00 – arrive at coffee shop and write for my blogs, plan my day, write 3 things in my gratitude journal
• 8:00 – leave for home!

Some ideas for your own morning routine:

• Exercise
• Pray, read the Bible
• Drink water or a healthy beverage
• Read
• Make a to-do list
• Craft or do some hobby you love
• Go outside

Notice that I left off “visit social media”? Getting on the cell phone or computer is probably a bad idea, as you’ll waste time and not accomplish anything that you really value. (If you struggle with this, read this post on how moms can break their cell phone addiction.)

What does your Morning Routine look like?

Need some convincing or inspiration? Get One Bite at a Time for yourself!

More: what the happiest moms do before breakfast

Make over your mornings: make ahead breakfast

Crystal Paine’s Make Over Your Mornings course

How to save time at home and make time for what truly matters to you