My magical new sunrise routine stuck, here’s how!

My whole life I have been a very late riser. Seriously, stayed in bed in the morning as long as I could get away with it! Since having kids that wasn’t all that late very often, but if I could get away with sleeping in I definitely did! I also felt like my most productive time was later in the day. The only time I got to myself was after everyone else went to bed. That was getting later and later. I had finally worked out an evening routine I felt good about, but included me taking time for me. It was getting later and later due to kids getting older though. I didn’t know what a difference the right morning routine would make!

I really don’t know exactly how it worked for sure, but this is what I changed over a relatively short period when everything clicked. It’s worth noting that I’ve known routine would be the “secret” for a long time. I’ve been practicing making routines that make my daughters’ and my days in general easier pretty much since they were born.

First, take time for you whenever you can make time for it

I had started taking time for me in the evening a long time ago. That was easier to accomplish before my husband finally got a day shift position. Once I started attaching a more careful routine to it, I started feeling better in general. I always included a snack, and just some chilling out.  The first thing I added was time on the porch, but we do live in Vermont, and our porch uncovered.

Then I started adding some activity, and writing in my journal, simply because I knew I needed more than just time vegging on the couch. I deserved it too. Self-care is more than just bubble baths, and getting your nails done but it has to start with taking that time to yourself in order to know what it is that you need.

Mine started with my evening routine and spending the time waiting waiting for my daughters while they did their own activity Just sitting next to a beautiful view. I did nothing except enjoy my breakfast, and even fished once in a while. (Yes, I actually ate breakfast with my coffee despite not really ever being hungry in the am.)

A few things at this stage lead me to take a longer vacation “somewhere south” in the winter. It’s notable that the only reason I was able to do this was because most of my work at home can be done remotely now, and my girls are old enough to be home alone. They have been pretty independent for quite some time. I was able to wind up bringing Youngest because we homeschool, though she also could have stayed home.

A quick side note-

I am actually beyond thrilled that I brought her on my “me time” trips. She was at that perfect place where she’s quite capable of handling time by herself, and doesn’t need my supervision most of the time, but still appreciates time with me. When you start working on your own morning routine, First take the time to note what you appreciate in the morning- other than staying in bed.

This is where the magic happens

My last “me time” trip is where some sort of magic happened. I always go into these with the plan to not have a plan. I want to get the most from them but want to maximize my time spent literally not worrying about anyone else, or being anywhere specific at any specific time. Since I also happened to be on the beach, despite being a late riser by nature, I enjoy watching the sun rise over the ocean. My two requirements for a place to stay for my “me time” trips are always a kitchen in the apartment/condo, and a view of the sunrise. Yes, I always choose sunrise view over sunset because I’m generally awake without fail for sunset. I don’t want to leave the building (or my bed) to see the sunrise but I still actually want to see it.

I actually let my daughter have the bedroom so I could have a straight shot to the balcony. In fact, a couple things I started doing in the evenings made it work this well. First, I turned off my cell phone for better sleep. Then, I couldn’t bring myself to close the curtains all the way in the evening. This led to a peek of the sky in the morning too. I set up our coffee maker to brew automatically just before sunrise since I’ve gotten used to the speed of a single serve brewer at home and, well, as we’ve discussed I tend toward lazy in the am. By accepting that fact about myself I was able to find the magic combo to change something I thought was unchangeable about my natural tendencies. Honestly, my new morning routine seems to have multiplied the time I get during the day.

It took one month and a very relaxed outlook on my mornings

I have heard several times that it takes about a month to start a new habit. This reenforces that idea. Though It was clearly coming to fruition after the first week. I didn’t go into my “me time” trip with this as a goal. I just observed that it happened naturally and rolled from there.

Having the curtain partially open combined with the coffee maker starting to brew made the biggest impact. I didn’t set an actual alarm, ‘cause who wants that on vacation? The light change would kind of start the process, but I also timed the coffee to be ready for sunrise. I’d lay there for a bit watching the sky that I could see from my bed. Then, I’d feel the need to move a couple feet to see the horizon from the balcony.

I’d bring a cozy blanket with me. I’d tell myself I wasn’t really getting up yet, I was going to head back to bed after the sun rose, but I really wanted to take a picture. Of course, then I’d get comfortable, but the thought of the coffee getting cold in the pot would get in my head. I mean, it was already made, and I had that comfy spot. A warm cup of coffee right there would be about as perfect as life could get, right?

Since I’d been working on making my journal a regular habit and these are moments that should be treasured, I’d grab my journal on my way back to my seat. Then I’d just enjoy the next little while spent with three of my favorite things. A sunrise, the ocean, and a hot cup of coffee. I enjoyed it even with all the rain we had while we were there, and despite it being on the cold side for South Carolina. (The water wasn’t frozen.)

Stage two of “getting up”

Eventually something would lead to me “actually” getting up. I’d get my second drink of the day, which is one I made up from a couple of things I know help with general health stuff, and I find taste pretty good. I enjoy coffee, and won’t go without my morning cup by choice, but I recently decided to add something with at least some health benefits.

In the evening I keep a glass of water next to me and finish that. I do some basic activity before I “allow” myself to have my coffee. After my coffee I have a hot cup of lemon water with honey and ginger. I’m no health guru, or nutritionist. I do have some general knowledge about the benefits of some widely used foods.

First, hot= warm and comforting. Ginger has the same idea and paired well with my other two choices. It’s also known for helping with a variety of digestive issues and joint inflammation among other things. 11 Health Benefits of Ginger: Effect on Nausea, the Brain & More (healthline.com) is one article that explains them. Lemon adds vitamin C. Honey has been understood to have many health benefits for ages. Here’s an article that articulates them better than I could if you’d like to know more: The Top 6 Raw Honey Benefits: Fights Infection, Heals Wounds, and More (healthline.com) I added it for the sweetness, but also for the same reason you might put it in your tea if you had the flu, a cold or throat issues.

Separate parts of your morning

This part of my morning routine also serves as a separation of sorts between leaning more toward inactivity and being “ready for the day.” I get dressed and ready while the water heats up for my ginger lemon tea, and I have something small for breakfast while I look at what I have planned for the day. By then I have to admit that I’m not really going back to bed.

I had been working on a couple projects when I left. Those did require at least a couple activities. I wanted to get in as much beach walking as possible, so I actually wrote that in my “schedule” too. Since I was going to be on “vacation” for a month. I did actually still need to do some of my tasks while I was there even if I didn’t have specific times and places I needed to be.

Take pressure off to figure out how things fit in your mornings

I purposely refused to start before I drank my morning tea though, which led to my being more effective with my time. While I drank that and had my small breakfast I’d look over my actual tasks. I’d take in what the actual day looked like in my planner (and weatherwise), and get an idea of what I wanted from the day. Then I started my day.

Finally, make each step of your morning routine as easy as possible and (usually) stick to one habit at a time.

Taking the pressure off led to a more effective morning routine. Telling myself I only needed to walk a few feet to accomplish a tiny task that I knew I actually wanted to enjoy the outcome from allowed me to do that successfully for a whole month. I was also very purposeful in making each step as easy for myself as possible.

But how does a morning routine like this translate at home?

My mornings were going so well that I had to do my best to keep them going when I got home. I wasn’t sure I could, given the obvious differences between a “me time” trip and everyday at home, but it’s gone smoothly. This is what seems to have made it carry over, and some tips that might help you make it work.

First, I keep my bedroom curtain open just a bit. If I want to stay cozy in my bed I have to get up and move the curtain, especially if it’s a day my husband has off. He doesn’t work 3^rd shift anymore but usually does leave while it’s still dark on work days. It’s been amazing to be able to control my own mornings instead of constantly worrying about waking him up. I had slipped into that habit so hard that I didn’t even realize I kept doing it when he switched shifts.

Change is constant. Work with that instead of against it

Right now the sunrise is about an hour earlier than it was when I first started. Somehow my wake up time is about the same. I do sometimes roll over for an hour or so and refuse to let myself feel guilty. Somehow it still averages about the same. If you want to try something similar but can’t bring yourself to leave your curtain partially open (We are really in the middle of nowhere) I recommend trying a light attached to a timer, maybe even a light that mimics sunlight. Put it just out of reach.

Second, the porch at home is a bit further than the balcony on my trip was. It’s also very weather dependent. I’d enjoy my view from my bedroom window but I only get ambient light from it, no view of sunrises there, and it’s where I work from. I’ve found if I sit there for the view first thing, I wind up working as soon as I get up and burn myself out.

That said, I do have a truly beautiful view from my desk. That view is only visible because I’ve been motivated and energized through my morning routine to make space for myself. Having a pleasant space to get in a good headspace makes a huge difference in what you can accomplish throughout the day.

Include little things for your health in all your routines

Third, I add some light activity. I make myself do that and finish my small glass of water while my morning coffee brews. I don’t know if it even really counts as exercise. It’s a couple stretches, two sets of 10 leg lifts, and jogging in place “until the minute changes.” I don’t even use a timer. I choose a clock that’s visible and jog in place until the minute changes. Sometimes it’s clearly almost the full minute, sometimes clearly more like 15 seconds. I still do this despite the fact that I have been a bit more active in general lately, including walking up the road every morning.

I always make time to sit back and just chill. In whatever way is appropriate for that day. If it’s cold or wet I just hang on the couch or dining room table with music or a podcast. I often write in my journal about whatever is on my mind. Now that it’s warmer here I’ve been able to utilize the porch more.

Once my coffee is gone I get up and switch gears a bit. I start my lemon ginger tea. While the water boils, I go for a quick walk down the road to the brook. Then prepare my breakfast. The only thing left for my morning routine then is literally getting ready for the day and figuring out my plan for the day. Despite feeling like I’ve lazed away half the day, it’s usually still before 9:00 am and I feel energized, and have a plan!

Design your morning routine purposely and consider YOUR needs first

I designed my morning routine around what I knew I needed. Once I managed a way to get myself out of bed at a reasonable hour, before everyone else takes over my day, I seem to accomplish so much more and take better care of myself. I’m also better able to keep boundaries about how much of my attention everyone else takes. Part of this aspect is probably due to me being more awake and being less generally “grumbly.” If I encounter those oversteps I can communicate the issues better. Not stumbling out of bed late and following it immediately with waking everyone else who also stayed in bed as late as they could get away with.

Your Most Amazing Morning Routine

If you’d like use a guide I made for the Most amazing morning routine for you with some quick hints you can get it here! Amazing Morning Checklist You will get a quick reference to what to include (It’s short and sweet) and a page to mark your success for a week. (To continue for a month, just print that page for each week)