Hello there! Let me just start by saying I feel your pain and all that cortisol that comes with the chaos of the morning! Mornings can be so hectic! Between getting the kids ready for school, making breakfast and lunches, and trying to get yourself out the door on time, it’s no wonder mornings feel chaotic. But having an organized morning routine can make a world of difference in how smooth and stress-free your mornings feel.
As a professional organizer and decluttering expert, I’ve helped women design morning routines that set them up for success each day. Over the years, I’ve discovered some key elements every organized morning routine should include. Follow my tips below to create a morning flow that makes you feel calm and collected.
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Wake Up Intentionally
Waking up feeling rushed and frenzied is the worst way to start your day. That’s why I recommend setting your alarm at least 30 minutes before you need to get out of bed. Use this time to wake up slowly and set an intention for the day. Start with some deep breathing and a short meditation. Focus on gratitude by listing a few things you’re thankful for. Or engage in some positive self-talk about how you want the day to go. Easing into your morning this way prevents anxiety before your feet even hit the floor.
Make Your Bed Immediately
I know, I know. Who has time to make the bed in the morning? But hear me out! Taking the couple of minutes to tidy up your blankets and smooth out the sheets helps you feel organized and accomplished first thing. It also discourages you from crawling back into bed, which can throw off your whole schedule. Having a made bed welcomes you home to order at the end of the day too.
Get Dressed First
Lay out your outfit the night before to simplify getting ready in the morning. Start your morning routine by getting fully dressed right after your shower. Don’t wait until after breakfast or you may end up chasing kids around the house half-dressed. Putting on professional work clothes or even jeans and a cute top helps you get in the right headspace to take on the day.
Eat a Nutritious Breakfast
You’ve probably heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but do you pay attention to nutrition in the morning? Prioritizing protein and fiber keeps your blood sugar stable so you don’t experience an energy crash mid-morning. Some of my favorite easy and protein-packed breakfasts are yogurt (dairy-free for me) with fruit and nuts, oatmeal with peanut butter, or eggs and avocado on gluten-free toast. I prepare what I can the night before, like hard boiling eggs or prepping overnight oats. This makes the morning meal simple.
Schedule Quiet Time
Between family and work demands, it can feel impossible to find time for yourself. But incorporating just 10-15 minutes of quiet time into your morning routine pays off exponentially. Use it to sip your coffee slowly, pray or meditate, read inspirational literature, or journal. I know some mornings it feels like you don’t have 10 minutes to spare. But trust me, you need to prioritize a little “you time” or it will get lost in the shuffle.
Tackle a Quick Task
I’m all about building in little productivity boosters first thing. This could be emptying the dishwasher, tidying up the kitchen, or decluttering your nightstand. Accomplishing a quick task helps you feel on top of your game. Pick something from your to-do list that you can knock out in 5 minutes or less. Even this little bit of progress can motivate you to be productive all day long.
Make a To-Do List
You’re much more likely to get things done when you write them down. Take a few minutes first thing to jot down your must-do tasks for the day—both personal and professional. Making the list helps you identify your top priorities and objectively decide what can wait. Bonus tip: Break bigger tasks into smaller action steps so your list feels totally manageable. Review your list during quiet time and pick your One Big Thing to tackle first.
Let Go of Yesterday
We all have bad days when things don’t go as planned. But nothing sabotages today’s success faster than dragging regrets and frustrations from yesterday into the new day. Give yourself permission to have a clean slate. Tell yourself today is a fresh start and focus only on what’s ahead. Don’t waste mental energy over-analyzing things you can’t change.
Practice Positivity
Your thoughts first thing in the morning often set the tone for your whole day. Make positivity a priority by starting a gratitude journal on your nightstand. Take two minutes each morning to write down three things you’re grateful for. Or develop a motivating morning mantra like “I am strong” or “Today will be amazing.” Say it out loud as you get ready to program your mindset for success.
Connect with Loved Ones
No woman is an island—we need community! Scheduling in meaningful connection first thing prevents loneliness and isolation, which can quickly derail your mood. Make time to text a supportive friend or call a family member you haven’t caught up with recently. If your mornings are packed, tell your spouse or kids you want to share breakfast or drive to school together. Fitting in quality bonding time does wonders for your wellbeing.
Refuel with Coffee, Tea, or Your Favorite Beverage
Alright, you knew I couldn’t leave this out! There’s nothing like a satisfying cup of coffee or tea to jumpstart your system. Savor it as part of your “you time” or drink it while you connect with your loved ones or tackle your first task. Just beware of becoming reliant on caffeine. I aim for 1-2 cups to prevent the jitters or energy crash.
Listen to Uplifting Music
Research shows listening to upbeat music you enjoy releases dopamine, boosts motivation, and improves your mood. Create a morning playlist that includes your favorite energizing songs. Listen while you get ready for the day. Sing or dance along if you want an extra dose of joy! Tune out distracting news or talk radio so you don’t accidentally absorb negativity first thing.
Give Yourself Enough Time
Rushing through your morning routine only to end up frazzled sets the tone for the whole day. Make sure to budget enough time for each component of your ideal routine. Track your current habits for a week to identify time-wasting traps, like snoozing, scrolling on your phone, or watching the news. Then adjust your wake-up time accordingly. It may mean setting your alarm 15-30 minutes earlier to avoid starting the day flustered.
Say No to Multitasking
I know how tempting it is to brush your teeth while checking email and making your kid’s lunch. But multitasking ends up costing you time and mental energy. Stay present for each activity of your morning routine. Silence phone notifications and close your laptop to avoid distractions. You’ll finish tasks quicker and feel less overwhelmed.
Wind Down Before Work/School
Morning routines shouldn’t feel frantic. Build in 5-10 minutes at the end to transition from home to work mode. Sit down and sip a cup of herbal tea. Do some deep breathing. Look over your to-do list one more time. This decompression time allows you to show up focused. Diving straight from breakfast into the office or carpool lane is asking for a stressful day.
Mornings set the tone for your whole day. Following these tips will help you create a balanced routine that leaves you feeling grounded and prepared to tackle anything.
I have always been a morning person so getting up early is not difficult for me. In the past, feeling organized about the day ahead, especially with children at home, could feel chaotic unless I had a plan in place. Yes, the plan could be thwarted at times, but overall, my guiding star and goalpost was being prepared and organized. A book I recommend that I purchased almost 10 years ago but still reference (a lot!), is The 5 AM Miracle: Dominate Your Day Before Breakfast (Kindle edition).
What helps you the most? What are your favorite morning rituals? Share in the comments section below! I love hearing from you.