Mornings have always been a bit of a struggle for me to get up and ready to be out the door on time for work. Things got even worse when two kids were added to the mix, especially since none of us are early risers. After reading Atomic Habits by James Clear, I realized I could improve my mornings and remove unnecessary stress, by starting a few key habits.
Starting your day the right way will ensure that you’ll feel calmer, happier and more productive from the get go. It’ll also make sure that you don’t waste any time searching for missing or lost items. Remember that habits don’t happen overnight. They take at least 21 days to become ingrained into your normal routine so I recommend starting a habit tracker to keep you accountable to yourself and to your new routine.
Tidy Up the Night Before
We’ve all been there, when we’ve felt too tired to load the dishwasher, clear the counters or vacuum the family room. Spending a little time every evening tidying and cleaning away the dirt, clutter and debris from the day really will save you time and stress the next morning.
As a bonus, you can involve the whole family and teach this good habit to your kids.
I found this habit especially beneficial once I started working from home, as my workspace was shared with the kitchen table. Having a clutter-free and clean workspace is so important for optimal focus. Knowing the space was clean and ready for the next day allowed me to be able have a comfortable start to my workday.
Meal Plan and Prep
Food preparation takes time and adds unnecessary stress when you’re in a rush to get to school or work. Spend some time preparing lunches for all the family the night before, to ensure you all get a nutritious lunch time meal which will save you time and money.
I also sometimes like to prepare our breakfast the night before, by making steel cut oats in the slow cooker. Having a warm, hearty breakfast ready to serve and eat as soon as we wake has been a god-send on mornings where we have to get out extra early.
Prepare a weekly meal plan so that you know exactly what everyone is having each day of the week. This will make sure you buy or make everything you need so there aren’t any last minute panics.
Get Clothes Ready the Night Before
How much time have you wasted trying to choose what to wear in the morning? Like me, too much probably, and it gets worse if you have kids. Instead, get everyone’s clothes ready the night before. Make sure the entire outfit is on a hanger and that underwear, shoes and accessories are with it. Don’t forget to check the weather forecast to make sure everyone is dressed appropriately.
You could go even further and organize the entire week’s wardrobe on a Sunday with everything hung in day order in your wardrobe ready to be picked on the relevant day.
Use a Planner
Instead of trying to keep all your to-do items in your head, use a planner to organize your time and to note down all the chores and errands you need to do the following day. This will help you to free up mental space and ensure you don’t forget things that you want to get done.
You can also use the planner to set goals for yourself and to track your progress.
Get your Bags Ready
Spend time putting everything you’ll need for the next day in your handbag or work bag the night before. You won’t need your iPad or laptop overnight so putting it in your bag or case before you go to bed will make sure you don’t forget it. Any work documents or school books should be put into bags so that they aren’t forgotten or lost.
If your children have gym class, football or another school or after-school activity then get the necessary kit ready in their bags before you head to bed. Put the bag by their school coat.
If your chores involve dropping off items at the dry cleaner, then bag them and put them by the front door. If you need to post letters or packages then bag them and put them by the door.
Meditate
My favourite habit is to start my day with a 20 minute meditation. Taking this time for myself every morning puts me in a calm and positive headspace and ready to tackle my day.
Starting your day feeling positive and organized really does have a major impact on the way the rest of your day pans out. A chaotic start is hard to recover from. By developing the routines above you can be sure that you and your household will always start your day the right way.
I hope these tips help you to create your own routine leading to happy, stress-free mornings, where you can enjoy your family and your day!