The Mindset Shift That Made My Mornings Easier
I am not a morning person. I covet slow mornings — the kind with a warm mug in hand, quiet music, and enough time to actually taste my coffee. Unfortunately, between my kids’ schedules and my own work schedule, those kinds of mornings only exist on weekends and school breaks.
Over the years, I’ve tried every version of the “perfect morning routine.” I’ve journaled, meditated, worked out, read personal development books — you name it. And every single time, it’s lasted about three days before collapsing under the weight of reality.
So instead of chasing someone else’s version of success, I’ve landed on what I call the early morning compromise.
The Early Morning Compromise
My boys need to be out the door by 6:45, which means I’m up when they are, around 5:45. I don’t love it, but I’ve learned that resistance doesn’t make it any easier.
The first thing I do is head straight for the shower. No scrolling, no coffee yet, no “five more minutes.” The shower is my mental switch. It moves me from my “I don’t want to be awake” phase into my “I guess we’re doing this” phase.
After that, things slow down. I brush my teeth, throw on my robe, and make my coffee. That’s my line in the sand, the start of the quiet pocket I’ve built into my day.
My Version of a Morning Routine
While Andy (my husband) is already deep into his workout, I’m in my cozy robe with coffee in hand, working through the calm part of my morning:
I check and respond to emails.
I work on slides or prep for the day’s lessons.
I knock out small tasks that keep our household running.
It’s not the romantic, candlelit journaling time you see on Pinterest, but it’s still my time. It gives me a sense of control and space before the chaos starts …. and, bonus, my hair has time to air dry while I work. When I circle back to “getting ready,” it’s one less thing to deal with.
Some mornings, if I’m ahead, I do sneak in journaling or meditation. But I’ve stopped making that the benchmark for a “successful” morning.
The Mindset Shift
Here’s the truth: I’ll never be a wake-up-and-workout type of woman. I’ve tried it. I’ve hated it. It’s not me.
But I have learned that small structure creates freedom. My mornings run smoother when I accept what is instead of forcing what should be.
This routine; shower, coffee, quiet productivity, is my middle ground. It honors my need for calm and reflection (even if it’s the practical kind), while still giving me space later in the day to actually relax.
It’s not glamorous, but it works. And that’s the real secret to easier mornings, stop trying to become someone else’s version of productive and just find what actually fits your life.
