My Simple Morning Routine & FREE Printable
Having a simple morning routine has changed everything around here. Today, I am sharing the routine that works for us, and a few tips and tricks for creating your own.
I haven’t given much thought to routines in the last decade. I had them in place. They worked. Why change them? Then 2020 happened. I quickly learned I needed to update them, and create a few new ones. Today I want to share my simple morning routine.
When I thought back to 2020, the only image that came to mind was a car that had slid into a deep, muddy ditch. It’s driving for all it’s worth, slinging mud with every rotation of the tire. It’s trying, boy, is it trying, to get out of that ditch, but the pull of the mud is just too much.
Phew, anybody relate? We still made progress over the last year, things still got done, but, my goodness, was every rotation of the wheel a challenge. This year, my plan is to simplify the routines, and systems that keep our house and homestead running full steam ahead…no mud in sight. Ok, maybe some mud, we do live on a farm…
Since adding a new family member (which was, without a doubt, the biggest blessing of 2020) I’ve had to totally change everything about how we do…everything. It seems as though I had to relearn how to be a mom and keep a home. You tend to forget a few things after 13 years of not having a baby around. I’ve been focusing on routines that help our days go smoothly, and, through that, I have learned the importance of a simple morning routine.
Our morning routine…
- Wake before children, get dressed & ready for the day, and pour my coffee
- Quiet time, with prayer, my bible reading, and my coffee.
- Wake Eli to get ready for school, change Emmy and start breakfast
- Eat breakfast with the kids, and talk over our plans for the day
- Help Eli start school
- Quick clean the kitchen, load and unload dishwasher
- Make beds, and start laundry
- Start on chore list for the day
Your day, I’m sure, looks much different than mine. Since there isn’t a “one size fits all” morning routine, I thought I’d share the three tips that I used to create my own.
- Set your Priorities. For me, waking before the kids, and having my quiet time is a must. It’s also very important to me that I make a “from scratch” breakfast every day. Those are just two things that are priorities, and I was sure to find time for them in my mornings. Be sure to find the things that are important to you, and build your routine around them.
- Be realistic. As much as I wanted to add “wake at 4:30 to work out” to my routine, I knew that wasn’t realistic for the season of life I’m in. Is working out important? Absolutely, but I’ve made time for that in my evenings. Take a good hard look at your days, how you spend your time, and be honest with yourself. Be very particular about what you add to your mornings. Don’t overcomplicate them by adding things that look good on paper.
- Set yourself up for success the night before. We’ve all been there…we slept too late, the kids woke us up, the kitchen is a disaster, the tiny people are screaming they’re starving, and every single dresser drawer is void of clean clothing. It’s real life, but it doesn’t have to stay that way. By cleaning your kitchen, planning your breakfast menu, and laying out your clothes at night, your mornings can be what sweet dreams are made of…This takes discipline. I know you’re tired after a long day, and cleaning the kitchen is the last thing you want to do, but TRUST ME, you’ll be so glad you did in the morning.
You can download the PDF version of the routine that works best for us, and the three tips that I used to create it. I’ve also included a couple of pages for you to jot down your priorities, and your nightly must do’s for a successful morning. Always remember I’m here cheering you on!
As always, thanks so much for stopping by and spending a tiny part of your day with me!
