Reimagining Your Morning Routine

Raise your hand if you think you need to have a perfect morning routine to be highly successful and crush all the goals both personally and professionally you make for yourself? Well, I’m here to tell you that’s a bunch of crap! 

Personally, I have been wanting to be a member of the "5 am Club" for a VERY long time. I hear about people who wake up before their kids, enjoy a quiet (and hot!) cup of coffee, journal, meditate, or work out – starting their day feeling 10 steps ahead. While I desperately want that feeling, it goes against everything that is part of my natural makeup. And if you've ever felt guilty about not mastering this "perfect" morning routine you see on social media, let me start by saying: You're not alone. As working women, we're bombarded with advice about miracle mornings that often feel more aspirational than achievable, especially considering that women still shoulder approximately 65% of household morning responsibilities, even in dual-income households, according to a 2023 study. Today, let's talk about creating morning routines that actually work for real life – no guilt, no impossible standards, just practical strategies that help you start your day on your own terms.

The Truth About Morning Routines

Research published in the American Journal of Health Behavior found that consistent morning routines are more important for wellbeing than early wake-up times. Dr. Sarah Miller, a sleep researcher at Stanford University, notes that forcing yourself to wake up too early can actually be counterproductive: "Each person has a natural chronotype, or internal clock. Fighting against this can increase stress hormones and decrease productivity."

Start with Your Non-Negotiables

Before we dive into strategies, take a moment to identify your morning non-negotiables. These are the things that absolutely must happen for you to feel ready for your day. Maybe it's:

• A hot shower to feel fully awake.
• Five minutes of complete quiet with your coffee (this is me).
• Checking your calendar to feel mentally prepared.
• A quick skincare routine that makes you feel put together.

Everything else is optional. Yes, really. Once you know you’re non-negotiables, consider how and when you can prepare for them so you can guarantee you’re able to prioritize them without any issues.

The Night-Before Secret

I like to wake up every morning and walk into a clean kitchen as I pull my coffee pot out and start brewing a fresh pot. For me, walking into a clean kitchen (and dining area as the 2 rooms are connected with one large open wall), I already feel ahead of my day. I feel like I can breathe easy and tackle anything that comes my way. 

A clean kitchen in the morning starts with the evening before. I ensure my kitchen table and countertops are cleared of all clutter and my sink is empty of dishes. 

A study in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that evening preparation can reduce morning stress by up to 40%. Focus on these evidence-backed evening prep strategies:

• Lay out your clothes (reducing decision fatigue).
• Pack your bag and put it by the door.
• Prep breakfast and lunch components (meal prep has been a game changer for me)
• Quick house reset (10-minute tidy of main areas).
• Check tomorrow's calendar and weather.

Realistic Morning Strategies That Work

Now that we've established your non-negotiables and evening prep routine, let's look at how to make your mornings run more smoothly. One of the most powerful tools I've discovered is strategic time blocking.

The Power of Time Blocking: Research from the Harvard Business Review indicates that time blocking can increase productivity by 28%. Instead of trying to wake up earlier, start by analyzing how you currently spend your morning time. Track your morning for a few days, then look for:

• Tasks that could be eliminated
• Activities that could be combined or delegated
• Time-wasters you hadn't noticed

Once you've optimized your morning timeline, the next step is to set up your physical space to support your new routine. Think of your home as a collection of morning efficiency zones, each designed to help you move through your routine with ease.

Create Morning Efficiency Zones: Set up your spaces to work for you:

• Bathroom: Essential items within arm's reach
• Kitchen: Breakfast station with everything needed
• Entryway: Landing zone for bags, keys, and out-the-door items
• Bedroom: Charging station and outfit planning area

Your Morning, Your Rules

Does my kitchen look perfect every morning? Heck no! But, I know what I need to do to get the result I want in the morning. And every morning I start with a clean and clear kitchen, I give gratitude to my past self from the evening before.

The International Journal of Workplace Health Management reports that 68% of working women experience morning-routine disruption at least twice a week. Have a backup plan:

• Have grab-and-go breakfast options ready.
• Know which parts of your routine can be skipped.
• Keep essential items in multiple places.

Small, consistent changes are more effective than dramatic overhauls. Start with one small change:

• Wake up 10 minutes (not hours) earlier.
• Add one 3-minute mindfulness practice.
• Prep one aspect of your morning the night before.

A fascinating study in Chronobiology International found that forcing yourself into a morning routine that doesn't match your natural rhythms can increase stress levels by up to 50%. Remember: Your morning routine isn't about matching someone else's ideal. It's about creating a start to your day that works for you.

What's one small change you could make to your morning routine this week? 

Ready to create a morning routine that actually works for you? My 3-Day Time Management Reset will help you identify your true priorities, eliminate time-wasting activities, and design a customized morning routine that fits your natural rhythms. You'll learn how to map your most productive hours, set realistic boundaries, and create simple systems that stick. No 5am wake-up calls required – just practical strategies that work with your life, not against it.

Download the reset guide now and start building mornings that energize you.

With love,

Erin