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How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}

by | Jan 6, 2014 | Domesticity, Organization

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How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}BHG

love having a morning routine. While I readily admit I’m not the most organized or scheduled person in the world (far from it), I do have a few simple routines that help me keep my house clean enough and get me through my busy life in a somewhat balanced manageable way without losing my mind (you may have read about some of my daily routines in my Four Daily Routines post).

While some more awesome women than me might be successful with an a elaborately lovely color coded chart or regimented system for their day, I can only handle very short lists and routines and need some flexibility in order to stay sane.

I believe in homemaking simplicity  because I know myself: I will lose interest or fail at anything too complicated, time consuming or elaborate. I’ve tried so many systems and never kept up with any of them. I’ve followed my four basic daily routines for at least 13 years (not perfectly every day but they have definitely been a part of our life!). I really tried to love detailed colorful housekeeping chore charts and file boxes with chore cards, I really really did, but the reality is I mostly just loved the idea of being THAT organized. I loved how pretty it was, too, rather than loving following what it said to do.

How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}BHG

This will probably disqualify me from Homemaker of the Year if I ever wanted to apply, but the truth is (shhhhhhh) I would be more inspired to clean the toilets by simply planning a party for this weekend than I would be by being told by a chart that I had to clean toilets on a Tuesday morning. 

I may not feel like cleaning a toilet on a Tuesday.

But I DO want the toilets to be clean, that is a MUST for me. So if they need attention and I notice it, I’ll clean toilets right then and there (even without planning a party! YAY ME!). I will! I will make sure that every nook and cranny of that toilet is spotless. The toilets WILL get cleaned because I WANT them to be clean. And each toilet only requires a few minutes to be sparkly again so I can fit in that task as needed in my four daily routines.

Just don’t tell me I have to clean them on Tuesday or I probably would do them on a Monday and it would mess the whole week up. :-D

I have A LOT to do every day and I get a lot done between running a growing business, all the responsibility we have in managing a church, my family and household. But housekeeping is not something I can or want to spend a lot of time on. I LOVE LOVE LOVE a clean house and strive to keep our home clean (enough), but the tasks required need to fit into the time I want to devote to homemaking and I often need to be inspired to want to do them. Thus, I have my four daily routines to keep me focused and inspired.

How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}

Why is a morning routine so important to my day?

My routines give me hope and daily inspiration for a “clean enough house” as well as a great start on a productive day. They help me keep up with the house a little bit at a time, which makes every task seem manageable since nothing piles up too big.

But here is a very important aspect of my morning routine (and all my routines):  ENJOYING my routine is important to my emotional health and productivity. My morning routine sets the tone for the day. My routines are a pleasant part homemaking, not a dreaded part. Since I enjoy the morning routine, I can start out the day much happier and content with my life!

Honestly if I had to face a long list of dreaded chores on Tuesday morning like CLEAN THE TOILET and PULL HAIR OUT OF THE SHOWER DRAIN I probably would crawl back in under the covers and never come out. But maybe that’s just me. I have issues with boring tasks. I need a simple routine that is comforting, familiar and inspires my day (mixed in with a few routine tasks that must get done every day) so it is something I actually look forward to! Like coffee! I love the smell of coffee, I love the ritual of coffee. I don’t even really drink that much coffee, I just ENJOY that it is a part of my routine.

There is also something motivating about routine when it is manageable and you know you can succeed with it! We all probably have a morning routine even if we aren’t intentional with it, so if your morning routine isn’t contributing to the success and happiness of your day, time to do some editing!

How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}BHG

How much time does a morning routine require?

A  simple morning routine can be as quick as 10 – 30 minutes or as long as an hour or two. Pick a realistic morning routine for your schedule and make whatever adjustments are necessary to set yourself up for success in the morning.

We all have different schedules and morning expectations, but you can mix and match what tasks work for you to create your own daily routine! Obviously those of us who work outside the home or have children (or pets, eh hem!) who need our attention may have much different morning routines than those who have more free time at home. But don’t make excuses for why you can’t have a morning routine, even if you just get dressed, brush your teeth and wipe out your sink THAT is a morning routine most everyone should be able to manage and benefit from.

How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}

Set up a morning routine with three kinds of tasks:

1. Tasks you need to strive to complete every day to be productive, pulled together, energized and ready to dive in to the day’s work (like brush teeth, make the bed, shower, get dressed, have coffee, unload the dishwasher, have some quiet time, etc.)

2. A couple of tasks that you can catch up really quick depending on what needs attention or how much time you have that morning (tasks like doing a load of laundry or sweeping up the kitchen floor or wiping off the bathroom counter).

3. A thing or two you enjoy and look forward to (like coffee, or music or journaling or bible reading or praying, walking, catching up on blogs).

Even if you occasionally have to skip making the bed or have to run out the door without a shower, try to stick with your routine every single day as much as possible. Don’t be discouraged if it doesn’t feel natural at first or seems like a bother, it takes a month or so to get in the habit.

Soon you’ll start to look forward to your routine! Your day will start to feel less stressed and your home will be more in order! When I first started my morning routines and kept them for longer than a week my husband could hardly believe I was the same woman. :-).

How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}

So, what is MY basic morning routine? 

Brush teeth and wipe out sink (because I hate bad breath and icky sinks!).

Make the bed (because it lowers the chances of me from crawling back in, starts my day out with order and motivates me to keep the bedroom clean).

Open the blinds (I need to see daylight to feel energized!)

Turn off the porch lights (I turn them back on in the evening as a part of my nighttime routine!).

Make a cup of coffee (if you are a coffee lover, no explanation necessary!).

Quiet time (sometimes I switch the order with making the bed).

Unload dishwasher, put breakfast dishes in dishwasher and clean out sink (when I have a clean sink I am more likely to keep it clean all day).

Shower (it’s my thinking time!), throw in a load of laundry (set a timer to move it to the dryer), apply light makeup and dry hair (so I feel put together and ready for the day), get dressed (shoes and all because I am more productive when I don’t put my slippers on).

Move the laundry to dryer, set a time to remove and lay out clothes (we rarely iron anything since we take clothes out immediately and never pile clothes in a laundry basket).

Turn on computer. Start the work day! (because it not only pays our bills but because I LOVE my job!).

How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}

Want more ideas for being happier at home?

How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}

How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}

How to Establish Your Morning Routine {& why it is so important}

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44 Comments

  1. Lori H

    Thank you for this and those gorgeous photos! I look forward to the rest of the routines.

    Reply
  2. Jann from Newton Custom Interiors

    Morning is my best time, and I seem to do my best if I have a routine too. Can’t wait to see what the rest of your routines are!

    Reply
  3. Sandra at Thistle Cove Farm

    Wonderful post, full of really good advice. My morning routine is tend to house animals, drink coffee – made the night before so all I have to do is turn on coffee pot…yes, I do understand! – and then have devotions while still in my robe/gown. When I have morning devotions – Spurgeon, Bible, Youssef, Begg – the rest of my day is easier to handle, no matter what. It’s not going to be perfect but it will be perfectly manageable. Then, dressed and barn chores before coming back to the house and getting started.

    Reply
  4. Faith

    Our routines are much the same…open the blinds to let the sunshine in, brew a pot of coffee, read my Proverbs 31 daily devotion/prayer, and then read The Inspired Room. Yep, TIR is part of my weekday morning routine! Its good to start the day off inspired!

    Reply
  5. Whitney

    Thank you for sharing this post! I too am one who needs structure but not too structured or I turn into a 5 year old stuck inside on a sunny day. I enjoy reading your blog it is encouraging and helps me focus on what’s most important.

    Reply
  6. Melissa @ DaisyMaeBelle

    I LOVE my morning routine, but I tend to fall out of routine after coffee and quiet time! I need to add a few more things to my list! Great encouragement! Life to the full! Melissa

    Reply
  7. Suzie

    THANK YOU so much for this. I have a 4 month old son and I will be quitting my job in 2 weeks to stay home with him. I’m a little worried about being productive at home without something like a job that I need to go to to get me up. I think morning routines will make all the difference!

    Reply
    • Johanna

      Suzie – Congratulations on the move to leave the work force and stay home with your son. (My sons are now 15 and 16) I hope you love the time at home. The transition from the work world can challenge your identity and make you feel “unproductive”. Been there. Go easy on yourself and realize this is one of the biggest transitions you’ll make and it will take time to adjust to the “new normal”. Definitely have a routine but don’t hold yourself to the same standards for “productivity” that you’ve held in the past. This is a new lifestyle and important job, savor the freedom and enjoy!

      Reply
      • april

        I’ve been home with my daughter since her birth 2 years ago. I’m not sure I would have listened to what you have to share at that time – I was too terrified to listen :). And I am so glad I found your site now, your articles and shares are VERY helpful, supportive, and informative. You have made a difference in my life. Thank you – and thank you for your notes on leaving the workforce and being patient. I still struggle with my value sometimes – it was linked so closely to my career for a long time – now I just have to deal with how fortunate, blessed, I am to stay home and focus on our family! ;) It is a freedom and a responsibility. Thank you!

        Reply
  8. Angela

    I love this. I need a routine but not so much structure that I don’t have choices. I’m choosing to get up super early to get my work done before the kids are up. I’m not a morning person so to entice myself to get up the first thing of my day has to be something I really look forward to. Right now it’s a protein mocha latte and my scriptures. <3

    Reply
  9. sandyc

    Had to laugh at the schedule requiring you to clean the toilets every Tuesday. Much worse is the Monthly Declutter Calendar which gives you an activity for each day of the month. Monday of week 1 turns out to be “clean and sort one drawer in the kitchen”. OK. Big Whoopee! Unfortunately the next “clean and sort one drawer in the kitchen” comes Friday of the second week. Exactly what do you do in the meantime. The reason I need to sort the drawers in my kitchen is that I find a can opener in one drawer and I know I have another can opener in another drawer, and here’s a pile of plastic ties in this drawer but I know I have a box for plastic tiles somewhere else. If I don’t empty all the drawers in one place, then sort, then re-drawer, I’ve wasted my time and accomplished nothing, and driven myself nuts in the process.

    Meanwhile, point of post – my morning routine is similar to others – get up in the morning with a smile on my face because I’m in my perfect home, open the curtains to let in the sunshine on my way to the kitchen to fix coffee, pop on Willie Nelson singing “Blue Skies” because my perfect home is on Blue Sky Drive and I’m very grateful, feed my kitties, pour my coffee and sit down at the computer to check e-mail and read The Inspired Room and other favorite blogs. Need to work in more play time with the kitties, a better exercise/meditation routine (yoga and tai chi/qi gong and meditation/reading) as well as a good walk while the Arizona winter/spring weather is so gracious.

    Thanks for naming your blog as you did, Melissa, and for being an inspiration every day in so many ways.

    Reply
  10. Patty Aslin

    WOW….I loved every photograph! I love order in my home too. You have a beautiful way of organizing all the things we need in our everyday lives….THANK YOU for sharing these photos and KUDOS for a job well done! Patty from Colorado

    Reply
  11. Peggy

    So is it bad that I’m reading this at noon – no routine on this St. Louis snow day – my snow day routine is: sleep late – read in bed and look out the window at the beautiful snow – shower – dry hair (really dry as going outside to 0 degrees soon) – make peanut butter toast – open computer – read this post – ok – now going out to shovel :)

    Reply
  12. Carly @ Creating Mom

    My goal is to implement a morning routine. I got the “open blinds” trick from you awhile back and make sure to do that every morning, but beyond that, my routine is to sleep until the baby demands my attention, then get her out of the crib and hold her while I zombily make coffee with my free hand. Then I “entertain” her with some cheerios while I nurse that cup of coffee for 45 minutes as I idly scroll through Facebook on my phone. An hour after I wake up I’m able to function enough to do something useful.
    This must stop.
    I really want to start waking up earlier and starting my day off right, but it is so much easier said than done.

    Reply
    • Cindy

      Hi Carly-

      It was really, really, really, REALLY hard for me to establish a morning routine when my boys were babies. Sleep was just way too important, and the idea of waking up even one second before I needed to was enough to reduce me to tears. My few attempts ended just one or two days after I launched them. My suggestion is to wait until your life is more your own once again.

      Be well, and take care of yourself!

      Reply
  13. Leslie

    This is a wonderful post to begin the month of January and I love your photos and quotes:) I agree.. the morning routine – or routines in general help keep us focused. It’s interesting that we all seem to need that quiet time in the morning. It’s do important to me and sets my mood for the day.

    Hope your week is off to a great start!
    Leslie

    Reply
  14. teresa

    I do pretty much the same thing every morning, exercise, shower, makeup, study/prayer, quick clean-dishes and bathroom- at that point it is about 7:30am…..from there chart my day…meetings and I decide what need my attention the most .
    Thanks for sharing your tips…I always look forward to them!

    Reply
  15. cathy

    I am so with you on this. I see charts and stickers on blogs that to me take up wall space. I make a list every night. I call it dumping my brain. There is always something new I need to get done the next day. Appts. Things that need to be returned or picked up…ect…. I have been doing this for years. It works for me. A pretty colorful chart will just feel like cutter to me and I, like you, will more then likely never look at it. I also HAVE to have a morning routine. I do a lot of cleaning at night. I love waking up to a clean house. That is what I think makes my morning routine so enjoyable. I don’t have a good day when I have to leave the house really early. (Something I try very hard not to do.) Love your blog by the way. Can’t wait to read your future posts on this topic.

    I also have to open all the blinds first thing in the morning! :)

    Reply
  16. Diane

    My a.m. routine consists of waking up, in the shower, then out getting ready, drying hair, makeup, etc. while drinking my one cup of coffee my husband has made and brought to me. Getting dressed, making bed, taking boys t school, and off to work if needed. Off days I tend to keep it the same so I can help my mother in law if needed or a friend.

    Reply
  17. tonya

    I loved this post. It speaks of how genuine you are. I agree with the need of a morning routine and also that it must be somewhat enjoyable or else we would all want to stay in bed. Mine sounds very similar to yours. I also agree that if you tell me I have to do something like clean the toilets on a given day…there is just enough rebellion in me that I won’t want to do it that day. I like a clean house but I won’t be a slave to it. We have a very busy household so I try to keep my expectations realistic. I try to make certain the kitchen stays tidy. It helps keep me focused. The bathrooms get cleaned in stages. The timer is my friend, and I will use it while tidying up to keep me from spending too much time on something when I should be at my desk working….

    Reply
  18. jessica Ibarguen

    Melissa! I read your blog very often but on my iphone so I rarely comment. I just wanted you to know that you inspire me. I love your openness, honesty, and style. Thank you! This post is one of my favorites so far! I too love those colorful charts and lists, but I fail every time. I have found that having certain tasks assigned to a specific day helps me to allow myself to procrastinate without guilt -“I could clean the floor, but that’s on tomorrow’s list”. LOL! I find that I use the list for a few weeks every few months or so. When I start to get overwhelmed it helps to make a plan. Thanks to you for helping me see that I dont need to label that as a failure.

    Reply
  19. Shannon [Our Home Notebook]

    I’m not a morning person but a morning routine keeps me sane. I’ve also started making a few afternoon and evening routines and I love how they make my day flow. Flexible, but focused. And I love the idea of having something enjoyable in your routine to get you moving! So smart.

    Reply
  20. trisha

    This is so helpful! I can’t tell you how many times I have read organization blogs, made the chore charts, sticks, etc… And then ended up more overwhelmed because I failed… This sounds realistic. I would like some advice on my morning routine, because I have 4 kids, 11months, 4, 5, and 8yrs old, and a husband. And I seriously struggle with ppd and ptsd. My mom always makes her bed first thing in the morning, and when she doesn’t, she’s in a funk. I have absolutely no order in my life…. Any advice on my morning routine? I don’t know how to incorporate my own agenda while feeding the kids and getting them dressed as well. I would love your feedback.

    Reply
  21. Meghan

    It’s posts like this that make me feel as though I need to scour the archives of your site for more excellent nuggets of awesomeness like this, you’ve been very studious in making your life efficient and we all benefit from it, I’m looking forward to seeing your book!

    Reply
  22. Veronika

    I love your need a schedule–balk at a schedule approach. That is exactly how I feel. I don’t like to feel structured but definitely do better with some structure! My biggest challenge is to get my exercise done in the morning. But I don’t like to exercise first thing in the morning. But if I don’t exercise first thing in the morning, chances are I won’t do it at all. So I give myself a special sticker if I do….yes I work for stickers. Could I make a gentle suggestion though. Could you please turn your porch light off before you go to bed. The last two neighbours we have had, for whatever reason keep their garage lights on all night. This means the way our houses are positioned the lights shine into our bedroom and my daughter’s bedroom. I try to make our rooms as cool and as dark as possible to encourage the best quality of sleep(melatonin production and all that). Also with all the light pollution it disrupts not only the hormonal workings of humans but also the wildlife around us, i.e. insects, birds. We live in a neighbourhood that in the last 25 years people who left their cars unlocked in their driveways got broken into, once. So not a lot of hoodlums and everyone, except the new neighbours, turns their outside lights off before they go to bed.

    Reply
    • Susan

      The thing is she probably puts her front porch light on all night to deter crime. Law enforcement on the COPS program gave us that advice years ago and it’s worked great. He told us criminals would much rather come up on a dark house than one light up like the 4th of July – that goes for back of house too.

      Reply
      • Susan

        Oops – meant “lit” up like the 4th of July!

        Reply
  23. Ashley

    What a great post! I sometimes have a morning routine, sometimes don’t. I really need to step it up and get into a morning routine. It would make my day so much better! Thanks for the tips and inspiration!

    Reply
  24. Kal

    Really trying to get myself organized and I think I need to establish something like this! With soon to be 5 kids I need all the help I can get in the mornings (which I hate.) Things like opening the blinds seems like a no brainer but I never would think about it. If it’s HABIT then I wouldn’t have to! Also I too love making lists and not following through with them.

    Reply
  25. Salty Treasures

    I stumbled across your blog and it truly inspired me. What a great way to start the new year. I dedicated a blog post to you and filled out my Home Goals sheet!! http://www.saltytreasures.com/saltytreasuresblog/
    I look forward to reading your posts drinking my coffee during my morning routine. :)

    Reply
  26. Robin

    What a gorgeous home. Making a routine is crucial it is amazing what you can actually accomplish.

    Reply
  27. Lee

    Really enjoyed the gentle inspiration in this post, as well as all the comments, reminding me that it’s ok not to have a perfect house but a special routine will help us come closer to it! And nice to hear it’s not selfish to plan in something to look forward amid the (endless) cycle of tidying up toys, cleaning the kitchen, and being there for others!

    Reply
  28. Mariette

    Good day.

    I love the part about putting your shoes on… I also realized about a month ago that putting on my shoes makes me more productive than wearing my slippers. Thought it was just me…

    Reply
  29. Brindusa

    Good ideas! I can identify with your lack of enthusiasm concerning boring tasks… Like you, I love to have a clean house. But at times it feels so ‘uninteresting’ to just do the regular cleaning up… Then, if I can come up with an interesting decorating project – something to repurpose, a nook to completely reorganize or some furniture to move around – I get so excited and energized! :-) I end up doing a whole lot more cleaning up (because first I’m turning everything upside down – a stage I like to call ‘creative chaos’ ;-) ), but I do it all quite happily. It’s so much fun!

    Reply
  30. Sharon

    Take it from a 57 year old who’s been a stay at home and work at home mom for 36 years (that’s right, I have kids 36,32,19 and 16!) a morning routine is a must! When I don’t have one, I waste so much time on Pinterest and Facebook that half the day is gone and I’m still sitting in my pj’s with a cold cup of coffee at my side. Now that my youngest is able to drive, I am trying to get out early for a walk, then home to a load of laundry, pick up kitchen and a daily chore. Been keeping house for a long time now and the daily chore thing really works. Monday, vacuum up the weekend mess, Tuesday (ironically) is bathrooms, Wedns. is errands and groceries, Thursday is dusting and Friday is vacuum and mop. And sometimes, give yourself a break – hire a cleaning service twice a year and have the whole house clean from top to bottom at the same time!

    Reply
  31. Denise

    Your morning routine is almost exactly like mine. Yeah!

    Reply
  32. Denise

    Sorry, I made a mistake in my last message: the Twitter address is wrong.

    Reply
  33. Chi

    Thank you Melissa! I was able to build my morning routine from yours! So much easier for me now! Would like to know if you can share your evening routine? And what time would you suggest I put in working out/exercise? Thank you!

    Reply
  34. Jude Newman

    Rituals are a great wish to hear up for the day! Also gotta take time for that cup of Joe in the morning !

    Reply
  35. Holly

    Put the Facebook, phone down. Set your alarm to get up before baby Usually does. Give yourself the treat of a headstart. Shower and enjoy your coffee in peace. Read your bible, meditate, write something just for you. You will feel more inspired and not like the baby or the noisy world get the head start!

    Reply

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