My schedule and routine have saved me a lot of headaches. As soon as I started working from home, I struggled badly, I had no sense of time management. I’d sleep in until 9 or 10 after I got the kids to school, and I’d not get started until noon, sometimes even 2 pm, and my pay showed it!
It also took a toll on my mental health! I wasn’t getting dressed beyond TikTok leggings and a hoodie, no makeup, and a sloppy bun. There is something that happens to your mind when you take the extra time to get ready and when you put on clothes that aren’t pjs. Like Mike taught me, “look good, feel good” and it’s true. You will accomplish more when you feel like you are working, one of those things that are hard to do as a freelancer. It’s easy to take the day off or skip working in the morning because you’re a little tired.
My current schedule is awesome. I know that those working a normal 8-5 job don’t have the same luxury as I do unless you get up a little earlier, but I’d encourage you to try a more peaceful morning! Get up a half-hour earlier, go to bed a half-hour earlier, you can do it!
Currently, I get up at 6:30 on weekdays and 7-7:30 on weekends. I wash my face, brush my teeth, get dressed, and do my makeup. I get to enjoy 30 minutes of reading or an hour of writing before heading upstairs to work. I have a luxury most don’t, but you could still fit in a brief 15-minute ‘me time’ session before heading out. Whether it be meditation, reading, or just drinking coffee; it can change the trajectory of the rest of your day!
So here are my top 5 tips for having an awesome morning!
1. Get Up at the Same Time: YES, EVEN WEEKENDS! I let myself have an extra hour on the weekends but nothing more. I learned that your body experiences the same thing if you sleep in until noon on the weekends as it does when you experience jetlag. It will mess the rest of your week up and become a vicious cycle, don’t fall for it. It was hard at first but now I enjoy getting up and having my whole day to have fun.
2. Wash Your Face Right Away: Washing away the sleep will make a big difference in moving forward. I wash my face and brush my teeth first thing after crawling out of bed, it wakes me up and helps me feel renewed. If you shower in the morning, shower right away. I do this before even making coffee because I know what it does to get water on my face immediately.
3. Pick Out Your Sassy Outfit: Whenever picking your outfit out, make your decision on ‘what is going to make me feel beautiful today?’ Think back to that “look good, feel good” quote, even though I love my leggings and hoodies, I feel lazy and cozy when I’m in them. When I put on my bell bottoms and tie-dyed t-shirt, I feel like I can take on the world! Every once in a while, (but not more than once a week) I’ll let myself wear a cozy outfit. Today is Monday and I’m just feeling blah, so I wanted a little bit of comfort. However tomorrow I’ll be back in my favorite bellbottoms ready to take on the world. Find your power outfits, these outfits will help you be more productive and get your mind into a working mindset.
4. Have Fun With Your Makeup: If you work at home with no dress code rules, or if your work allows it, have more fun with your makeup! I do a lot of rainbows and funky colors. Today is tamer with only teal and purple eyeshadow. You don’t have to get the crazy colors like me, but at least put a dash of mascara on. I know it makes a huge difference for me when I walk into the bathroom and see my reflection with my fun makeup and crazy hairdo vs walking into the bathroom and looking like I just rolled out of bed. It really does make a difference in your mind what you see in the mirror.
5. Make a Schedule That Works for You!: Seriously, for you. Not the bodybuilder you see on Instagram. I tried for the longest time to get to the gym at 5 am, but it never worked, and then left me feeling defeated. Try just getting up 15 minutes earlier than normal for a little reading or meditation, and see where it takes you. If you are someone that goes to the gym at 4 in the morning, good for you, but it’s not for me and that was the hardest thing to learn. I wanted to be someone that goes to the gym right away but it’s not. I am more productive if I got later in the day AND I don’t end up feeling defeated because I couldn’t stick to it. FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU!
If you struggle with mental health issues like me, I cannot stress enough how much better I feel with a routine. It causes a sense of peace because my body knows what is coming next. I used to have rushed and hectic mornings that put me in a horrible mood, that’s no way to start your day! If you can’t sit for a half hour and do your makeup, maybe just get up a few minutes earlier to meditate or drink some coffee in peace before waking the kids up. It alters your mindset and gets you into a positive way of thinking.
I also started doing little things like putting on classical music on the TV while we are getting ready for the day. Rayne loves classical music and I have noticed a difference in how others react. When planning your morning schedule, think PEACE!
‘How can I get my mornings to become more peaceful?’
The first answer is a routine, after that, it’s all dependent on you and what your life looks like.
I can’t wait to hear from you about what your mornings look like and if you’ll be making any changes!
Much Love,
M
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