Create a Morning Routine That Works for You

“You’ve got to wake up every morning with determination if you’re going to go to bed with satisfaction.” ~ George Lorimer

Over the past few weeks, we've been looking at time from a bigger perspective. Not simply how to manage it better, but how to make sure the way we spend our time reflects the life we actually want to live.

We've talked about the amount of time we spend working, whether our schedules reflect what we value, and the important reminder that for every yes, there's a corresponding no. Last week, we got even more practical with seven ways to organize your day so you can spend less time feeling overwhelmed and more time focused on what matters most.

Now I want to take that conversation one step further.

Over the next few weeks, we're going to break down some specific ways you can become more intentional with your time and your daily habits. And I can't think of a better place to begin than at the beginning - with your morning.

Because whether you realize it or not, you already have a morning routine.

The question is: Is it helping you start your day the way you want to?

You Don't Need Someone Else's Perfect Morning

I've had plenty of conversations over the years with people who want to know what a "good" morning routine looks like. How early should you get up? Should you exercise? Meditate? Journal? Read? Plan your day? And, of course, one of the biggest questions: How am I supposed to add all of this when I already don't have enough time?

Here's the good news: there is no perfect morning routine, and there certainly isn't one routine that's right for everyone.

Your morning should fit your life, your needs, and what helps you feel your best.

If you're someone who finds peace and connection through prayer or meditation, that may be an important way to begin your day. If nature grounds you, perhaps getting outside for a walk is exactly what you need. Maybe quiet music and a cup of coffee help you ease into your morning, while someone else feels best after getting up and immediately moving their body.

Your morning routine isn't supposed to make your life more complicated. Quite the opposite. It should help you begin your day feeling more grounded, energized, focused, and prepared for what's ahead.

So rather than trying to copy someone else's routine, ask yourself: What do I need in the morning to help me show up as my best true self?

Fuel Your Mind, Body, and Soul

If you're not sure where to begin, I like to keep it simple. Think about creating a morning that fuels three areas: your mind, your body, and your soul.

For your soul, that might mean prayer, meditation, journaling, reading, gratitude, quiet reflection, or spending a few minutes outside.

For your body, perhaps it's exercise or stretching, drinking water, eating a nourishing breakfast, taking your vitamins or supplements, or simply giving yourself enough time that you aren't starting the day already stressed and rushing.

And for your mind, you might listen to something inspiring, review your goals, look over your calendar, identify your WINs (What's Important Now) or simply take a few minutes to get clear about how you want to approach the day ahead.

You certainly don't need to do all of these things every morning. In fact, please don't turn this into another giant checklist you feel obligated to complete!

Choose what actually helps you.

Remember, the goal isn't to have the most impressive morning routine. The goal is to create a morning that helps you have a better day.

Your Morning Actually Begins the Night Before

Here's something else I've learned: creating a better morning often has less to do with the morning than we think.

A magnificent morning routine actually begins the night before.

If you stay up too late, leave everything until morning, and go to bed without any idea what's happening the next day, you're already making your morning harder than it needs to be.

A few simple evening habits can make a huge difference. Look over tomorrow's calendar. Set out your workout clothes if you plan to exercise. Tidy up so you're not waking up to chaos. Put your phone away and give yourself some time to wind down. And most importantly, get to bed early enough to give your body the sleep it needs.

Remember what we talked about a couple of weeks ago: For every yes, there's a corresponding no.

When you say yes to staying up another hour scrolling, working, or watching one more episode, what are you saying no to tomorrow morning?

Maybe it's sleep.

Maybe it's exercise.

Maybe it's quiet time.

Or maybe it's simply the opportunity to begin your day without rushing.

Those small choices are connected more than we realize.

You Already Have a Routine - Pay Attention to It

If you're thinking, Michelle, this sounds great, but I don't have time to add a morning routine, I want you to try something before you dismiss the idea.

For the next few mornings, simply notice what you already do.

Maybe you hit the snooze button three times, grab your phone, check email, make coffee, turn on the news, realize you're running late, rush to get ready, and head out the door without eating breakfast.

Guess what?

That's a morning routine.

It's simply one that may not be serving you very well.

You don't necessarily need to find more time to create a better morning. You may simply need to make different choices with the time you're already using.

And this is where awareness becomes so powerful.

Once you recognize your current patterns, you have the opportunity to change them. Maybe instead of spending the first 20 minutes of your morning scrolling, you spend ten of those minutes stretching and ten reviewing your priorities. Maybe you listen to an uplifting podcast while you're exercising rather than watching the morning news. Or perhaps you stop hitting snooze and use that time to sit quietly with your coffee before everyone else wakes up.

Small shifts can completely change the energy of your morning without adding another hour to your day.

Don't Overhaul Your Morning - Improve It

As we move into the more practical part of our time series, I want you to remember something that applies far beyond morning routines:

You don't have to change everything at once.

Start by paying attention.

What does your current morning look like? What parts are working well? What leaves you feeling rushed, distracted, depleted, or reactive? And what one small habit could you change that would help you feel more like the person you want to be when you begin your day?

Then start there.

Replace one habit at a time. Practice it until it begins to feel natural, then decide whether there's another small adjustment you'd like to make.

Because ultimately, your morning routine isn't about checking boxes or trying to create the perfect start to every day. It's about intentionally creating habits that support your mind, body, and soul so you're better prepared for whatever the rest of the day brings.

And remember, every choice you make about your time is also a choice about what you're saying yes and no to.

So, tomorrow morning, choose your yes intentionally.

It just might change the way you spend the rest of your day.

If you want to add some wisdom to your mornings but don’t have the time to sit down and read a whole chapter of a book, check out the Philosopher’s Notes Here, so you can have wisdom and knowledge in just a few minutes.