Finding time for yourself as a mom can be tricky sometimes. Trying to find the right time of the day to simply sit with yourself, and your thoughts.
Slowly but surely I am learning as a mom of 3 when and how to squeeze in this time for myself.
At one point, this time used to only exist on late nights, after I put my children to sleep. In my post 10 things I learned as a stay at home mom I go more into details about this.
But lately with me creating this blog, along with me becoming tired of feeling thrown into my days without getting a good start, I have established a morning routine.
And I have seen the benefits of prioritizing my mornings throughout my days!
Creating a morning routine has allowed me to start my days more intentional, more peaceful and more prepared for the day.
If you’re looking to improve your mornings, and become more intentional about your days. Begin to start your mornings off by first filling yourself up, this post will be helpful to continue reading!
You deserve this momma, seriously.
Grab your water,tea, smoothie and let me share with you the benefits and steps I have taken to create a morning routine that has made all the difference for my days.
Why create a morning routine and the benefits?
Why?
You may be feeling the need for some balance in your everyday life. Wanting to start your days off feeling refreshed, and ready to go.
Maybe you want to get more things done, maybe you just want extra time to yourself, maybe you want to achieve a specific goal at this time…
Whatever it may be, having a morning routine can help!
Before my morning routine and on the days that I don’t do it, I wake up feeling rushed into the day when waking up with my kids.
As soon as I opened my eyes, I was off to doing something for the kids, or making a phone call, cleaning a mess, off doing everything before checking in with myself for the day.
And yes I know that is motherhood, I get that. But I also think it’s important that we find routines and tools that benefit us and help us along our journey as we raise our children.
I noticed quickly creating a morning routine helped me to
- Set the tone for the day, waking up in peace instead of chaos, which overall makes the day start smoother.
- Have time and space for myself before getting into the day.
- Get a headstart on tasks/ errands for the day.
- Improve my mood for the day towards my kids and things that need to get done.
- Peace for mind.
- Better prepared mentally for the day.
- More present with your family and day activities
- Accomplishing goals
Planning your morning routine
Beginning to implement a morning routine for yourself can take time to get down. This change will not only be something that you will get used to but eventually, your kids will as well.
Becoming intentional on how you will make this change can be helpful with sticking with it and easier to accomplish.
Take some time to plan for things like
- Setting bedtimes for you and your kids that allows you to wake up at the time you have set for your morning routine while also offering a wind down time for yourself.
- Plan a time that aligns with your bedtime to wake up in the morning
- Set a time around your morning routine so you are aware of the time you have to complete the things and tasks you want to get done before the kids wake up.
- Create a schedule or to do list for your mornings
- Think about what you will do in your morning routine and what you are looking to get out of it
- Reward yourself with something, give yourself something to look forward to when you first wake up. For example your favorite tea, smoothie, overnight oats, coffee, etc. something that nurtures you.
- Plan little things the night before, like clothes for the day, breakfast, laundry, etc.
These are all just suggestions that may or may not be helpful to apply to your morning routine. But it may be better to just wing it and add things in as you go!
Some Ideas for your morning routine
Reading- Great way to feed your mind in the morning and accomplish your reading goals.
A long shower or bath- This is knocking out two things at once; Getting your shower/bath out of the way for the day while also relaxing your body
Music – Can be uplifting in the morning and set a vibe for your morning
Podcast- I looove podcasts! I don’t know where I would be today if it wasn’t for podcasts ! Allows you too squeeze in some learning, or your favorite topic while multitasking! Can be motivational and uplifting as well.
Meditation- Silencing the mind, tuning into your thoughts for the day. A good mindful practice for everyday, observing self
Yoga- Wakes up your body, can relieve tension in the body and another way to tune into yourself and connect with your mind, body and soul each day
Exercise/ Morning Walk- Wakes up your body while offering space and time to think.
Journaling- To do list.Goals. Thoughts. Tracking things in life. Releasing your thoughts on paper, daily.
Planning/Prepping- Meal prepping, to do list, create a schedule, Washing clothes, Head start on breakfast etc. Prepping and planning for things that will help you during your day.
Work or Side hustle- For the time being, this blog is my side hustle right now and so as i mentioned above I do my blogging in the morning. If you have a business you are working on, morning may be a good time to move the needle on things. Or even if you work, creating space in the morning to work as well.
No social media- Can be distracting and also lead your mood into another place. Allow this time to focus
Get a free yoga planner below to help you plan for your yoga practice!
Take it slow, one step at a time
Getting into the feel of your morning routine the more you do this. Becoming disciplined to wake up, and being consistent doing this is all a work in progress.
Learning how you want to spend your mornings, and what serves you best during this time will come the more you do it. One step at a time. Slowly, Changing things around that will work best for your mornings.
My idea for my routine was to wake up at least 2 hours before my kids, which was around 5.
Now I know realistically, I am not a morning person. While I think mornings are peaceful and feel so refreshing to experience, they are hard to get to for me honestly.
So what I did was, started waking up at 6 first, and as my body adjusted to this time, I worked my way back to 5 o clock. One step at a time.
Now that I have been doing my morning routine for a while, I am planning to change the times, and things that have been working and not working for me.
As you establish your routine, things may change over time and that’s all what makes this space, this time so special because its your time to do you.
Side note; some mornings, I still struggle to wake up at the time I have set for myself. … but on good morning, my routine looks like this:
- Wake up, lay out my yoga mat, and meditate for 5 minutes
- Do yoga for 20-30 minutes with music
- Make tea or fill up a water bottle with water
- Begin working on this blog
- Learn or listen to something during my blogging or towards the end. Sometimes I listen to motivational speeches, podcasts or work on a course I am currently working on.
- As my kids begin to wake up and need my full attention, begin to close things down and begin breakfast… usually followed up with some more music!
What if the kids wake up early ?
There are times when my kids wake up early and times when my 3-year-old is right by my side as I do all of this. It’s not what I prefer, but hey kids are unpredictable and we make work regardless.
If your kids happen to wake up early, what I have found helpful to do is have things in mind for them to do in the morning. For a while this was legos, drawing, picking something for them to watch while I finish my morning routine.
As you are finishing up on your morning routine as they are doing their activities, over time they will begin to get used to this space as well. Understanding that this is mommas time.
We can’t pour from an empty cup
One of my favorite quotes I discovered during my postpartum period after having my daughter was
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” It was a gentle reminder to myself whenever I felt myself overwhelmed and constantly going. My post partum period really showed me the importance of caring for myself.
By creating a morning routine, is a way to pour into yourself daily.
We as moms have the tendency of caring for everyone around us, except ourselves and we deserve just as much nurturing.
Creating a morning routine not only does that but it can help you
Prioritize and become more intentional with the day ahead.
So as you leave this post, take some time to ask yourself:
What are some things you would like to add to your morning routine? What is something you would like to do but can’t seem to get to? How could creating a mornin routine change your days ?
Enjoy creating mornings aligned with what you need and where you are at this point of your journey 🙂 Nurturing yourself one morning at a time!
Until next time,
Stay Tune, in Tune and forever evolving
Stephanie
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