How would you describe your mornings? Are they calm or chaotic? If you’ve been feeling rushed and stressed, read on for tips on how to make your mornings less crazy so you can start your day off right.
Tips on How to Make Your Mornings Less Crazy
As a mom with two little girls, I know what it’s like to feel like the morning is crazy and stressful. When the girls first started school I recall thinking I don’t know if I will ever be able to get a good morning routine with kids.
Over the past few years, I’ve adopted habits and routines that have helped our mornings run much more smoothly. If you’ve been feeling like your mornings are chaotic, try some of these tips to make your mornings less crazy.
1. Start your day off right
What’s the first thing you do when you wake up in the morning? If you wake up to chaos it’s more likely your morning will continue to feel crazy.
Try starting your day by reading, meditating, praying, or sitting in silence. Do something that feels life-giving to you and that helps you get your day started off on the right foot.
Don’t worry. I won’t suggest you need to wake up at 5 am to do this, although if that’s your thing go for it.
To make your mornings less crazy, it’s helpful to try and get up before your kids but if you have a baby you may need to adjust your expectations for the time being.
2. Plan ahead
The evening prior, think through your mental to-do list for the next day. Write down what your priorities are. Think through where you will need to go and what you’ll need to bring.
When you simply plan ahead you’ll be much more efficient with your time. When you’re prepared you don’t forget things and have to drive back home and that will make your mornings less crazy.
I created the Simply Scheduled workbook to help you plan your days. If your current routines aren’t working, use this workbook to change your routines and schedule. The workbook was designed to help you be more efficient and intentional with your time.
3. Prepare the night before
What tasks can you do the night prior that will help the following morning to go more smoothly? Some ideas are to make lunches in advance, have backpacks packed up, and select outfits for the day.
Doing a bit of tidying and cleaning up the dishes, kitchen, and dining area can be helpful too. When the spaces you will need to use the following morning are ready for you to use it will make the mornings less crazy.
4. Prioritize
For most people, time is fairly limited in the morning. Between waking up and needing to leave the house there typically is not a lot of excess time.
Prioritize what needs to get done and do it first. I can’t tell you how many times I have (or have seen others) show up late places because they got distracted in the morning and spent time on something they didn’t need to then.
When you know what needs to get done and just focus on that it will make the mornings less crazy. To help you prioritize your tasks for the day, the Simply Scheduled workbook includes daily, weekly, and monthly planners with spaces to write your most important tasks.
5. Declutter your closet
Getting dressed in the morning takes longer when you can’t find what you’re looking for or have far too many options to choose from. When you declutter your closet and create a confidence-inspiring wardrobe you can select anything quickly and feel good about your choice.
Can you imagine what it would be like to only have items in your closet that you like, that fit you, and that you feel good in? Your mornings will run much more smoothly as you’re able to get ready more quickly and feel good as you start your day.
6. Clear off your countertops
There’s nothing more annoying than being in a hurry and not being able to find the things you need to get ready to go. When your surroundings look chaotic you will feel more chaotic.
When you have decluttered countertops in the kitchen you have more room to work for preparing lunches. With decluttered bathroom counters, you’ll have an easier time getting yourself ready in the morning.
These high impact decluttering tasks will help your morning run more smoothly. Doing them during the day or the evening before is ideal.
7. Declutter your schedule
In most cases, the places you are getting ready to go in the morning are not optional. School and work are important. But are you still finding yourself rushing out early on weekends and holidays too?
Is your schedule packed? It may be time to reassess your schedule and your commitments. Sometimes the morning is challenging because the day prior was too full of activities.
When people are tired and cranky from being on the go too much and not having margin in their schedule, it makes for more crazy in the morning. Make adequate rest and downtime a priority in your life.
8. Get up 5 minutes earlier
If you are a night owl who is in love with your snooze button, it’s time to stop. To make your mornings less crazy you need to make sure you have enough time to do everything you need to.
That means no more pushing your limit for getting up as late as humanly possible. If you want to relax a bit more, try getting up 5 minutes earlier than you have been.
Don’t be a time optimist. Be a time realist. Give yourself some margin and breathing room to keep the crazy down in the mornings.
9. Work on your evening routine
When you’ve rested well it’s easier to start your day off right. Creating an evening routine that helps you wind down and sleep better helps the next morning to run more smoothly.
In a culture that focuses on productivity, rest can be hard to come by. You have to be intentional to make adequate sleep and relaxation a priority.
Creating an evening routine that incorporates restful and calming activities is a great first step. Make your mornings less crazy as you take control of your evenings too.
A resource to help
Want more help with getting your schedule under control? The Simply Scheduled Workbook was created to help you set your priorities and create routines that work for your life.
For more details and or order click here: https://thesimplicityhabit.vipmembervault.com/products/courses/view/1042352
Stay up to date with The Simplicity Habit and get the free Priorities Assessment worksheet to help you declutter your schedule by filling out the form below.
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