…or at least one that doesn’t start with stepping on a LEGO
There’s a lot of talk out there about waking at 5 AM, journaling under moonlight, chugging celery juice, and doing a full yoga flow before the kids even stir.
Let me just say this: you’re not failing if your morning starts with a toddler elbow to the ribs and a frantic search for clean socks.
What Ideal Actually Looks Like
Your ideal morning routine isn’t built from Pinterest boards or YouTube gurus. It’s built from your reality — and your reality might include school drop-offs, client calls, crusty dishes, and a body that needs three alarms to function.
That said, there is power in having a rhythm — a gentle structure that holds you without squeezing too tight.
Here’s how I started finding mine.
I Gave Myself Permission to Stop Copying
At one point, I downloaded every morning routine checklist I could find. Spoiler: I followed none of them. They didn’t work for me because they weren’t me. I don’t need five steps to glow up before 6 AM — I need five minutes of silence and maybe some under-eye patches.
So I started small:
🌤 Waking up 10 minutes before my kid (just 10 — not a hero move)
☕ Drinking tea while it’s still hot (miraculous, I know)
🧠 Reviewing one top priority for the day (not ten, not a novel — one)
And shocker — the day felt different.
I Realized the Routine Isn’t the Point
The goal isn’t to be “morning productive.” It’s to feel a little more like myself before the world starts demanding things from me.
Whether your version includes journaling, stretching, planning, praying, or just breathing quietly into a coffee mug — the win is in the reset.
Try This (If You’re Craving a Reset)
You don’t need to overhaul your life. Just try one of these:
- Morning Anchor: Choose one thing that grounds you. A playlist, a stretch, a 5-minute brain dump. No pressure to be profound.
- Don’t Reach for the Phone: (Unless it’s to press play on music or check the weather — we’re not monsters.)
- Make It Mom-Friendly: Let the kids color next to you while you journal. Or make your “routine” happen after school drop-off. Time is a concept. You’re allowed flexibility.
One Last Thing…
There’s no perfect morning routine. Just ones that help you feel a bit more human — even if chaos still greets you by 8 AM.
Start with five minutes. Start with a deep breath. Start with whatever reminds you that you matter too — before the day pulls you in twenty directions.
You’ve got this, mama. (Even if you’re still in pajamas at noon. No judgment here.)
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