How to Slay the Day by 8:00 Am: My Morning Routine

One thing I have realized about myself is that my energy level is highest shortly after waking. The waking and getting out of bed part is hard, but once I am up I quickly realize the clock is beating me and the race is on.

I have 2 hours (give or take, depending on how many snoozes I partook in) to squeeze in as much as I can before commuting to work. There’s a lot to cover. Spiritual health…check. Physical health…check. Writing…check. Scoop out the litterbox…check.

I’ve done time studies and typed out intricate minute by minute schedules through the years. Perfecting my morning routine has become a hobby for me. So if anyone cares at all about what another person’s morning routine is please read on.

5:00 a.m Gentle, soothing alarm emanating from my phone = harsh, agitated realization emanating from my face. I grab my headphones from my nightstand and let my Bible app read to me for 15 minutes. Sometimes instead I will read a devotional that I am keen into at the moment.

5:15 a.m. Body in motion. I get out of bed, start the coffeemaker in my bedroom, and get escorted by my dog and cat to their feeding bowls. Then straight to the bathroom where some splashes of water — internally and externally — and a toothbrush help to clear out any sleepy cobwebs that remain. I also start my robovac for its morning run.

5:30 a.m. Savor the birth of a new day’s coffee. Sit down and write. I’ve got 15 minutes to pour out whatever I have, whatever is on my mind, my heart, the past, the future, the mundane and the unconventional.

5:45 a.m. If I don’t exercise in the morning, it definitely won’t happen. So for the next 30 minutes, I do yoga. I have a collection of YouTube videos and apps that give me all the variety I crave.

6:15 a.m. Get ready for the day. The next half hour consists of more water, more coffee, makeup, clothing, and hair styling. A routine within a routine.

6:45 a.m. By now the coffee has kicked in and that’s a good thing because I am going to need it for the final hour of my race with the clock. For 15 minutes I clean the house. Yep, for 15 minutes. Depending on the day of the week, I have a cleaning routine that takes me through different zones and areas. By week’s end, I don’t have to spend 8 hours on Saturday with a dump truck and shovel. I won’t go into all the details of what I clean and how in this post, but stay tuned.

7:00 a.m. I save my kitchen arrival for the day as late as possible. I don’t know about you, but when I get in the kitchen I am there for days. I inevitably find things to do in there. Unload the dishwasher, resurrect some unidentified vegetable that’s been in the refrigerator too long. discover something sticky running down the cabinet from the night before, take out the recycling, etc. Does this happen to you? So by saving it toward the end I know I don’t have the time to dawdle and waste. I have 15 minutes to get my breakfast and lunch ready to pack for the day. So I put on my blinders and get busy.

7:15 a.m. My dog Riley’s second favorite part of the morning (breakfast is number one, of course). I take Riley for a walk around the block. For the next 15 minutes, she will do her business, chase multiple squirrels up trees and pull me along like a sled dog. I love this time block. Fresh air. Morning dew. Breaking out a new dog poop bag for the day. Aaahh, the good life.

7:30 a.m. Another quarter hour. This time I spend it checking in with my mom. At this season in my life, I find myself being a caregiver to my mother who suffers from chronic pain and disability. She is 78 and I am a slow learner at doing this caregiver role, but I’m trying. I say good morning, tell her a funny squirrel or crazy neighbor story and let her know what snacks and meals she has available for the day ahead.

7:45 a.m. I head straight for the door. Don’t look to the left or the right. I spend the next 15 minutes commuting to my job. I listen to a podcast or some music (Mamma Mia, Here We Go Again soundtrack anyone?).

There it is. Two hours. Monday through Friday. I hope you found some inspiration to share your morning routine with me in the responses. Top of the morning to ya!