Why I Started Practicing My Morning Routine
I started making changes to my mornings at the beginning of the year.
It was one of my main goals for 2021, and I decided to start being super intentional about having quiet time in the morning.
I was CRAVING “me time.”
So as soon as the baby had been sleeping through the night (because I am one of those people who requires a solid 8 hours or else I can be a monster…), I started to feel more like myself. I was finally able to start getting a full night of sleep each night.
I decided this was the year I was going to wake up early and do whatever I wanted to in the mornings.
At the time I didn’t really have a plan. I knew that I wanted to spend some time reading my bible and in prayer, but other than that, I didn’t really know what I would do.
I just knew I needed some quiet time before my kids got up.
Don’t Let Your Kids Become Your Alarm Clock
Up to this point, the baby had been my alarm clock and once she was sleeping in a little later (and by later, I mean like 6:30-7:00am) then the older kids became my alarm clock.
It was terrible.
Most days, they would come barreling into my room, yelling in my face before my eyes were even open, asking for 10 things in 3 seconds.
Or even worse they would sneak in, whisper in my ear, and scare me SO bad. My adrenaline immediately started pumping, my heart was racing, and I would hit the ground running…
Are you familiar with that phrase?
I don’t mind it, but not in the context of starting your day completely unprepared!
Reason #1: You Deserve Some Alone Time
As you can imagine, or maybe as you know, you are totally and completely REACTIVE when you wake up this way.
I would honestly be so ill most days, I would yell, or lose it, over seemingly small things.
But these “small things” didn’t feel so small.
For example, when you are in the middle of making breakfast and you are being asked for juice, among 35 other questions, and still have to brush your teeth, throw on clothes after packing lunches. Oh, and don’t forget… Changing the kids, brushing their teeth, and getting everyone out the door and off to school by 7:30am.
I’m sweating just thinking about it.
So this is one of the reasons why I decided to start getting up before my kids.
And this is one of the reasons why you can also find so much value in establishing a morning routine.
You deserve some alone time!
(For you mamas who may feel too guilty about leaving your baby with someone else, then this is the perfect way to get some alone time. You NEED this.)
Regardless of what you do during this time frame (and it doesn’t have to be long), you really need this time for yourself every day. I promise.
Reason #2: Live in a Less Reactive State
The second reason why you need a morning routine is to not only be less reactive in the mornings, but less reactive throughout your entire day.
For me personally, I incorporated practices and rhythms during my morning routine that helped me feel grounded and centered.
You need a morning routine in your life so that you can begin the day grounded.
Like I mentioned earlier, for me this looks like a quiet time of reading and prayer. Whatever this looks like for you, you need to get grounded.
Find something you can hold on to when the chaos of motherhood comes. (Because it will come.)
You don’t want to be the mama who is biting off her kids’ heads, or feeling like you’re being swept away in a tornado.
With a morning routine, you will have space to prepare your mind for the day ahead. This will really help you to feel centered and calm, not just in the morning, but throughout your entire day.
Reason #3: Opportunity for Productivity
The third reason you need a morning routine in your life is to help you be productive, if this is something you desire.
You can get so much done in a short amount of time, when your kids are sleeping.
Think about how much you could get done with 10 uninterrupted minutes, or even 20, or 30… This doesn’t have to be 2 hours, y’all.
I’m talking baby steps here.
What normally takes me 2 hours to do, can sometimes be done in just 20 minutes without my kids interrupting, or asking questions, or needing something.
So, start small. Start manageable. Just start!
Don’t Wait to Start Your Morning Routine
If you’ve been wanting to create a morning routine, do it.
If your mornings are feeling chaotic and you want to take things to the next level by being more intentional about creating time and space for yourself in the mornings, check out my Morning Mindset Bundle.
Morning routines may seem overwhelming to start, but they don’t have to.
Start changing your life, one morning at a time!
