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!
Jamielynn says
Thanks for sharing this was very helpful. We live on a ranch so mornings are very busy. This morning in particular, the baby kept me up until 4 am and at 7 a friend called and said she had run into a snag and could I feed her barn of horses, before I could even pull on my jeans, our neighbor called and needed help because his cows were out..... Needless to say it left me very cranky and exhausted. This post help me realize I am not alone and there are ways to better my mornings. However I will say that the walk I get to take around the ranch as I feed our 50 or so animals really helps with the morning crankies. If my husband happens to do the morning chores I try to sneak out for a walk and some sunshine.
Cher B. says
Wonderful ideas. Today was the first day in a while I got up before my kids and I"m already addicted! I have never tried warm lemon water in the morning but I'll give it a go. I'm going to share this with my fellow moms.
Necole says
I will love you stay home how do you get in
sarah says
THANK YOU so much, i am going to try start this tomorrow its already motivating just reading it,
my current routine:
Wake up when baby cries.. 400am every morning than 600am for the day..
make bed
empty dishwasher
hang washed clothes
check whats for dinner, prepare..
have a snack with baby go for morning run
home have breakfast and go to the event of the day.. whether it be.. library.. friends house.. groceries.. water park..
come home cook dinner yes dinner.. i hate cooking dinner at 6pm i never do it i end up cooking at 9pm yes 9!!!
our lives are so busy.. i dont end up sleeping until 2am atleast. than at 2am i too tired to be excited to have a hobbie..
Crystalina says
Laundry! On cold mornings, I love pulling warm laundry out of the dryer. So sometimes, I do a load of laundry in the afternoon or evening and leave it in the dryer after its done. Dry it for another ten minutes the next morning and it's nice and toasty.
Birute Efe says
I could see this being my energy and mood booster in the mornings too!
Danielle says
Just ran across this today. Love this post! It's a tough job to be everything for everybody all day! I stay at home and homeschool my 4 littles and I myself just started this past couple months with a morning routine and couldn't agree more with you. Mine is similar to yours, i workout, I do a lotion fest every am after shower, may have to try massage. Drink my java, then I begin getting them up and starting breakfast! Great ideas to try and improve mine 😉 thanks bunches!!
Robin says
I get up early drink water go to store for energydrink and come home sit with drink and stretch then I lift my weights it gets me going in the wee hours
Sarah says
Thank you! I am that overwhelmed cranky stay at home mom of 3 little boys, all of whom are home with me all day. I will try to change my morning routine and I have gotten up early and I really enjoy the quiet but I've been sleeping in lately because I've just been so tired. Thanks for the encouragement and advice!
Jessica Speck says
I am totally adding dance and massage to my morning routine! Right now, I get up, do yoga, drink coffee, check email. But I need a little...more. I'm a homeschool mom with older kids (middle school and high school), so it's hard to find articles about moms at my stage in life. Thanks for making this accessible to all!
Andrea Mendoza says
Thanks for your last words... Many times I've felt so guilty for hating hugs or some voices like "mumy! mumy! mumy!, up! up!"... Now, I know that I'm not the only one mom... This was killing myself. I'll try to do this routine although I used to be an owl because I still dream of do my hobbies like sew, draw, learn some new language every time when my child gets sleep... It's hard don't have a time for me even friends with whom to share a conversation...
Raielle @Imitation Life says
I read this with great interest today because it has just been one of those days you feel like you are failing on all accounts. My living situation right now will not allow me to get out of bed without waking my son who is a very light sleeper. So, normally I am a big fan of getting 15 minutes before my son wakes up it helps my mood so much.
Savannah says
Waking up before the Kidos is Essential, I love the idea of A Daily Self-Massage~~ I need to make that An Essential Daily Routine THANKS!!!
So my Now Morning Routine is waking up 2-3 hours before kids
Coffee, News then Journal And a little Meditating After The 2-3 hours are up I am Now in Flight mode BreakFAST and getting everyone ready for the Day!
Jhoei says
These are a good routine for a stay at home mom, I wish I could also have the luxury of having a morning routine but my career won't allow me for now so I hope someday then.