I only made 1 resolution this year. It was to be more productive, energetic and of course happier. And, yes, it's counted as one resolution. (Check out my new resolution - Do these 10 things for your daily routine).
Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with my life overall. I have 2 most amazing kids and the best husband in the whole wide world. I am healthy, so is my family. I could not ask for more.
But there are days (and sometimes they lead to weeks) where I just don't feel like doing anything. I am moody, I crave for junk food, I don't want to look in the mirror and I don't dream and stop making goals to grow bigger person.
Jump to:
Perfect Morning Routine
1. Get Up Before The Kids
Getting up super early wasn't an option for me, but getting up BEFORE the kids was doable, but I still could not manage my time well. This course helped me to totally revolutionize my mornings without doing big sacrifices such as getting up when it's still dark outside. I learned to manage my productivity, fix my routines and I finally had time to invest in things that matter.
2. Massage yourself with your favorite essential oil
Say what? Massage? With oil? Yourself?
Yes. You read it right. Massaging yourself has so many benefits including:
- Increased circulation, especially to nerve endings
- Toning of the muscles and the whole physiology
- Calming the nerves
- Joint Lubrication
- More alert (mentally and physically)
- Improved elimination of impurities
- Softer, smoother skin
- Better stamina through the day
My favorite oils for morning massage are: lemon essential oil, lavender oil and of course peppermint oil which definitely does the trick to wake my body up. I use them separately or mix them up.
It takes me about 10 minutes every morning. This self massage is like an exercise itself. A quick warm shower afterwards and you are good to go.
Believe me on this one, you will thank me later.
EDIT: I am offering a special deal NOW on those (and more) essential oils. Read more about it here. (affiliate/consultant link)
3. Get pretty
Comes from a women who doesn't even own a mascara anymore. Hey, even a fancy sweatpants and non-stained shirt might do the trick. But if you do a have a mascara, put it on, you will look in the mirror more often. To smile, of course.
4. Get your soul happy
Put some headphones on and listen to your favorite music.
Lately I have been crazy for these beats.
5. Sip sip sip...
While you are listening to your favorite song, make yourself some warm lemon water. I promise you, after few days you will see a brighter light in the mornings.
There are many reasons with plenty of benefits why you should drink warm water with lemon.
However, no morning routine will take away my cup of Joe. But I take it after I drink the water.
6. Relax
This is best part of my morning routine. With the cup of coffee in my hand, lovely music in my ears I sit down outside and enjoy the beautiful view I am so blessed with.
You could meditate, pray or just open your mind to some positive thoughts.
Last year when I was waking up late (together with the kids), I used to be the crankiest person in the mornings. I hated the voices and even hugs from my children in the mornings. I felt horrible.
And now, I can't wait for them to get up and see a happy mommy.
Update: Read my recent post: Revolutionary Morning Routine For Kids.
This morning routine has definitely changed my life by making me a happier person, more patient mommy and a more positive and energetic wife. Actually, I have more energy to stay on top of things and I even manage to have some ME time EVERY SINGLE DAY.
It would mean a lot to me if you would share YOUR morning routine (in the comments below) as I am always looking for fresh ideas how to improve the quality of my life.
Do you have 15 minutes a day?
Read short chapters and watch a short video every day. That's all it takes to make your life more productive.... and happier as a busy mom whether you stay at home or you work outside your home. Make Over Your Mornings is the course for moms who don't want to feel constantly behind, overworked, and overwhelmed!
Wangechi says
Hi,
I cannot thank you enough...this is just what I needed. Feel like I've been chasing my tail for so long. Thank you! Happy holidays
Ashley says
I would love to do this as well. I have 4 children, 10, 5, 3, and 11 months. We are currently staying with my parents until we move to where my husband has been transferred for work, we are still working on finding a home in a good school district, etc., we have only been here one month but it's been crazy being a stay at home Mom living in someone else's home, even though it's my mother's home, it's still a huge adjustment. I can't ever seem to get everything done. I'm always trying to clean up after ourselves, but also make sure her house is clean, and then suddenly I have tons of laundry that hasn't been done. I've always worked until my youngest was born, so it's still very new to me, and I find myself very unhappy. How does one who bed shares get out of bed before the children, and how can I balance the things I need to do with the things that I feel she would want me to do?
Randi says
Ashley, I'm in tears reading this...you took the words right out of my mouth! Currently living in a New state with my in-laws! I have a 5yr old and a 15mth old! I'm so stressed trying to keep the place clean! I pick up toys only to turn around and my son has them all on the floor again. I cook and clean for everyone! Some mornings I get out of bed early, but my in laws are up getting ready for work, then my husband, so by the time it's my turn my son is up and it's time to get my daughter up for school. We have 1 more month until we move into a house.....I know it will make all the difference in the world. I just can't seem to win here. Taking a deep breathe and counting the days until I have my own rules and a routine that works for all 🙂
Suzy says
I am a single Mum with three boys 5, 6, & 9. Living in remote rural Australia. I suffered from 8 years of chronic sleep deprivation since my first born and the two youngest had sleep apnea amongst other issues.
A positive morning routine was becoming obviously critical to me as the boys grew, especially when they had to start being at certain places at certain times.
It took wm awhile to realize I had to start with me. Getting up early - having a shower and going to the loo on my own - with music and oils and a herbal tea - I am now a huge fan of the hot water and lemon. I do as much preparation at night as I possibly can. Breakfast table laid. Clothes piles out. Lunches made, bags packed etc. We don't do T.V. in our house (Movie on Fridays - but no TV). I am very art and crafty. The biggest positive thing that stops melt downs in our house is keeping occupied. I put out a learning art n craft activity (non-messy, very simple) on the table every night and the boys dig in, once dressed and the morning is filled with conversation surround the activity. Always have music on in the background. I have had a few issues with them stopping the activity and not wanting to go to where they need to be. So the activities are more a simple project with an end result. And they are all just becoming submerged into science so our house is becoming more of lab of experiments - tons of easy earning fun.
I'm new to these sites and am enjoying them very much. Thank you.
Suzy
Fiona says
I like the advice and for a long time it worked for me. I don't always get up before my boys, they are now 10 & 7, but some days I still need to. The only problem I've found was that my private time with my husband was non existent by getting up early. How do I manage both???
Cynthia says
Hi ,
I can so relate to all the other mothers.I too struggle for my "ME" time.
taking care of oneself is so very important.
I have realised that only if I sleep early I can wake up & start off my day beautifully.
A good 8 hrs sleep is necessary to begin your morning routine.
Cynthia says
Thanks for sharing
Nichole says
Thank you for sharing. I too find that I am in a better mood if I have woken myself up. I get up, open the curtains and sing out Good morning my children and I will do so until I get a cherry reply back which is usually every morning. I will however start on the Me Time first come next year and I will ensure to make it top of my New Years resolutions list! 😉
Candice says
Wow! What grrreat advice! I have got to get down earlier so that I can get up and be bright eyed and bushy tailed for them. I always great them warmly but its not as genuine as it should or could be. They deserve a Mommy who is truly invigorated & feeling great. Thanks for the wonderful insight!
Birute Efe says
Thank you Candice. Starting a day with a sincere warm "good morning" will set a perfect day for everyone.
Jenniferlynn says
I used to dislike mornings too!
Now it's my only "alone" time.
I shower (alone), do yoga, take the time to do some of thouse house chores that are much harder with a toddler in tow. And sometimes just sit on my phone!( I don't get to research/ social media much anymore)
Today it's my music on, and dishes being washed! (After yoga and shower of corse)
Happy morning!
Keep up the good work!
Susan says
Yes, it is essential that I get up early before the kids. I am of no use to anyone until I'd had coffee or tea and breakfast. I don't understand the morning essential oil thing though. I can't shower until after I have eaten breakfast. Low blood sugar and high metabolism requires me to eat immediately upon getting up. If I shower before breakfast I get extremely nauseated and dizzy in the shower. Just like on a plane, put on your oxygen mask first! So my morning routine is breakfast , two cups of coffee or tea, and checking email or reading news online (or facebook) while drinking before the kids get up. Or on nice days on the porch.
Linda says
someone else might have mentioned this already but when my kids were younger and even now, I would make my bed almost immediately when I got up, 1. So I wouldn't want to crawl back in and 2. For the rest of the day, if I did nothing else housekeeping related, my bedroom would look put together and nice. It would make me happy every time I walked into my room.
Crystal u says
I do some of these except the oils but I'm going to try them. But I have 5 kids 12 years down to 9 months so I don't get slot of time to get much done lol! But some others things I do r write a list of things I would like to get done that day and as I do them I cross them off. It makes me feel good when I get it done lol and what I don't finsh I don't sweat I just have a start on my list for the next day! Also I will stay 1 hour but no longer cause I'm tried at the end of the night to!! But I will have adult talk with the hubby and get as much stuff ready for the morning as I can ( like their clothes ready, backs packed ect) so I don't have to rush to do in the morning!!! Parenting the hardest job you will ever do!!!!
kristie says
I get up at 530am n get dressed. Go in an wake my eldest son then walk out to the kitchen get breskfast ready for myself n my 2 boys (5 n 6 month old) we all sit down have breaky quickly with my partner. I get up clean my teeth quickly finish packing their day care bags. I then get my 6 month old dressed n we walk out the door for work n day care at 615am mornings are early n rushed even though most of its dobe the night before ;(. Mind u i only travel 10 minutes to work as well
Sandie Pedersen says
I am 34 weeks pregnant expecting our second one, and recently the baby has awoken me around 6 (we usually get up at 7) and I have also experienced how much happier and actually rested I feel in the mornings now.
I manage to have my coffee, Facebook time, read the news, make myself a little pretty and have breakfast ready for all when I call to my husband to wake up and make sure our daughter wakes up too. When they come down, I am so happy to see our daughter and I have the energy (and time!) to be silly and make fun with her. 🙂 I will do my best to keep to this routine when our new member of the family arrives 🙂
Nicole says
I have 2 boys (4 and 6) and am a stay at home work from home mum 🙂 I always get up before the kids during the week to do a 1 hr workout in our home office 🙂 It gets me started for the day and I know I still got time for a shower before hell breaks lose in our household 🙂 means I got to set the alarm for 5.30, but it's worth it! once all is done, I enjoy my coffee at 5 to 8 before it's action stations to get the boys out the door at 10 past 8 🙂 good on you for getting into your morning ritual! I shall try the massaging one day!
Traci says
The getting up earlier then the littles and getting pretty make all the difference for me! I think I will add the warm lemon water, as I've always read it has great benefits and instead of the music therapy, maybe 15 minutes on the treadmill. Thanks for sharing!!
Elizabeth says
You are bang on. These past few months I've been so cranky in the mornings, hate getting breakfast for my kids ready, and half the time am nudging my husband so he can get up with the kids. I used to not mind getting up with them at all, but I'm beat, and I really think just getting up 20 minutes before them would make a huge difference. Getting smacked in the face with children (even though we love/adore/cherish them) is one of the hardest things. Especially when you're a stay at home parent and have another 12+ hours to spend with them. Carving out time is essential.
Erin says
I totally agree with this. I've always been a morning person. I like to wake up before everyone and have a little me time. But now my kids are older and have early jobs and early morning seminary (church class for high school kids) I would have to get up at 3. I do get up at 4:30 and go for a run/gym and that is a great way for me to start the day. I always get ready in the morning; hair, makeup, cute clothes, earrings and shoes, even if I'm not going anywhere. It makes me feel good.
Pam says
i woud love to do this but my 15 month old refuses to sleep past 4am!!! Hopefully he will grow out of that lol.
Belinda says
I function much better if i've showered in the morning. My nearly 2 year old daughter is currently waking at 5 and if awake ready to start the day. Any thoughts as to how i can 1/get my shower in the morning and 2/encourage her to stay in bed a little later?