Improve Your Morning Routine : Customized For You

Morning routines are such a great way to get the day started. But what if it just doesn't feel like the routine you have is working? It worked when you started but for some reason it's not working now.

It doesn't bring satisfaction, it doesn't accomplish what it used to, and it just feels like more of a bother than help.

You can improve your morning routine by simply making it to fit your needs and your current stage of life. You can improve your routine that will aid you in getting your day off to a good start.

Not everyone is a morning person and happily jumps out of bed at the crack of dawn. And some of us feel like we're halfway between, don't love getting out of bed, but feel the most productive in the morning.

But no matter what kind of person you are in the morning, if your morning routine isn't working out and you really want it to, it's time to make it better so you have more reason to jump out of bed.

Look Over Your Current Routine

• What is in your morning routine right now?
• Is it long or short?
• Have you considered your "why"?
• Does it include doing something for yourself?
• Does it overwhelm you?
• Does it feel like it fits?
• Is anything on it that brings you joy?

These are all things that you can consider when you look over your current routine.

Is your routine long and does that make you feel overwhelmed? Is that why you want to improve it?

The first question should really be about the "why". Why are you doing a routine in the first place?

If it's because you think you should, or that it will probably be good for you, or because your friends do a routine so you think you should too, those are the wrong reasons.

You do a routine because a routine is for you. A morning routine is only for you. So you can be in control. So you can do some things for yourself. So you can get a good start to your day. So you can be you.

And there could be lots more reasons that you want to do a morning routine. Find the reason that motivates you. Then it can be something you can even look forward to.

Another question is, does your routine fit? It fit 3 years ago or even 3 months ago, but does it fit now?

Life's stages change overnight sometimes and suddenly things don't work the same anymore. A routine can have that problem. It suddenly doesn't fit the stage of life that got thrown at you.

So it's time to change. Revise, start over, whatever seems best.

But just remember, this routine needs to include something for yourself that makes you feel happy and peaceful. Something that gives you a boost.

Because a morning routine can end up being full of homemaking. And yes, that brings joy too, but you need to take care of yourself so you can take care of all your other responsibilities.

And be able take care of them without feeling resentful because you didn't have time to take care of yourself.

Revise Your Routine

Now it's time to dive in and make some changes. Write down your current routine first. Then go through each item on that routine and check off the ones you definitely want to keep.

And if there are no items you want to include in your new routine, then just start over.

Here are a couple things to think about when revising your morning routine.

Leave out the "shoulds".

Like, "I should include exercise in my routine". Or, "I should get up earlier so I can get everything done". Or, "I should add this or that to my routine to make it better".

And remember who this routine if for. For you.

Another thing you can do to improve your routine, ask others for ideas. Ask friends or family members what they do for their morning routine or what they do first thing in the morning.

Everyone has things that are important to them. Getting ideas from others doesn't mean you have to use them, but it gives food for thought and might bring other ideas to your mind.

Just like starting a routine from scratch, think about these things.

• what is one thing that would get me started on the right foot?
• what do I want to get done before the big part of the day gets going?
• how much time do I want to spend on my morning routine?
• what time do I need to get up to get it all done?
• do I want this routine to include self-care, homemaking, exercise or some of each?

Getting the morning started off right is a must. You don't know what your day is going to hold, so start with just a few activities that get you ready to face the day.

A morning routine can take as long as you want it to. How much time do you feel like you have to give to it? 15 minutes? 2 hours? It's whatever you want to make it.

Does getting up a little earlier seem like a good way to accomplish everything? It still isn't about "should", but about what you want to do to make it work the best. And if that means getting up a bit earlier, go for it.

Include anything from self-care to exercise to homemaking or more. Just make sure to have some self-care so that you are taken care of. Because you need to make it through the day and still be in one piece.

And now comes the fun part.

Experiment with Your Routine

Since there is no right or wrong routine, routines are flexible. So experiment with your new routine.

Write it down, give it a good try, and go from there. Try it for a week. You will know by the end of the week whether the new routine is doing what you want it to.

Are you feeling motivated with it? Does it give you a good start to your day? Make you feel in control? Can those living with you tell if it's working? They know if you are happier in the morning or not.

Check in with yourself as you go about your routine. How are you feeling? Like yes this is working, or hmmm not sure if I like this?

Checking in with yourself really makes you aware of what's going on inside and whether your routine is accomplishing what you had in mind.

And then, at the end of the week, revise the routine again if you need to. Experiment and tweak the routine until you are happy with it.

And remember that it's all an experiment until you hit just the right combination for your best routine.

Conclusion

Improving a routine may seem like a daunting task. But starting with finding the "why" in having a routine will set you up in the best way to creating a routine you are happy with.

Since life circumstances change, routines need to change to. That makes it necessary to add or subtract activities from the routine because some of them may not be relevant anymore.

Revising the routine by writing down what it is you want to accomplish, and then experimenting with it will give you clarity in creating that perfect routine for you.

Most of all give yourself room to experiment with it and enjoy the process of creating something you can love.

What is one thing you love to do when you get up in the morning? (besides staying in bed longer 😉)