Listen, I used to be that mom who rolled out of bed right before it was time to get the kids up, chugged some coffee, and hoped for the best. Planning? Journaling? That all happened after I dropped them off at school—if I even remembered to do it.
But one day, I decided to wake up just 15 minutes earlier to get my head on straight before the morning madness. And, wow, that tiny change? It was life-changing.
Like this week—I was sitting there, sipping my coffee, doing my morning planning, and I saw that it was theme week at school. If I hadn’t planned that morning, I wouldn’t have even realized it until after I dropped them off. They would’ve been the only kids in boring regular clothes while their friends rocked their favorite jerseys. That’s not the kind of mom fail I want on my conscience.
So yeah, waking up before my kids? Worth it.
My Morning Routine (AKA, How I Fake Being a Put-Together Adult)
Here’s what my mornings look like now:
5:30 AM – Drag Myself Out of Bed
The hardest part is literally just getting up. But I do it because I know Future Me will thank me. An extra cup of coffee won’t hurt either.
Drink Water Like a Responsible Human
Not gonna lie, I used to skip this and go straight for coffee, but turns out, hydrating first thing actually helps me wake up (and maybe offsets all the caffeine?).
Journal & Plan the Day
This is where the magic happens. I brain-dump my thoughts, check my schedule, and make sure I’m not forgetting important things like theme days, early pick-ups, or dentist appointments (because apparently, I schedule those and immediately forget they exist).
Reward Myself with Coffee
Listen, I’ve done the responsible hydration thing—now it’s time for the good stuff.
Get the Kids Ready for School
By the time they wake up, I already know what’s happening for the day, so I’m not trying to figure it out while simultaneously packing lunches and reminding them to put on socks.
Come Home & Clean the Kitchen
This is my little cue that it’s time to move on to the rest of my day. It’s like the reset button for my brain.
How You Can Start Your Own Morning Routine (Even If Your Kids Wake Up at the Crack of Dawn)
I get it—not everyone has the luxury of peaceful morning time. If you’ve got tiny humans climbing on you before sunrise, start small:
- Wake up 5-10 minutes earlier (seriously, even a few minutes makes a difference).
- Pick one or two things to do—maybe just drink water and glance at your calendar.
- If mornings are just not your thing, try an evening routine instead.
The goal is not perfection—it’s just to make your day feel a little less like a chaotic mess.
Why a Morning Routine is Actually Life-Changing
Since I started this, I’ve noticed:
- Less stress – I don’t spend the whole day playing catch-up.
- More productivity – I actually get stuff done instead of flailing around.
- Better mental clarity – I’m not running purely on vibes and caffeine.
Where My C.H.A.O.S. Daily Habits Fit In
If you’ve been around here for a minute, you know I live by my C.H.A.O.S. habits (they keep me grounded even on the craziest days).
- “Act with a Plan” – This is exactly why I start my day with journaling and planning (this is the planner I use).
- “Organize My Space” – Cleaning the kitchen first thing helps my brain feel less cluttered.
- “Care for My Body” – Some days, I hop on my walking pad or do a quick stretch, but honestly? I just fit this in wherever I can.
You can check out my full breakdown of my daily C.H.A.O.S. habits here—because trust me, they will save your sanity.
Will A Morning Routine Change Your Life? Maybe.
I didn’t wake up one day and magically start having perfect, productive mornings. I started with just 15 minutes earlier, and over time, it turned into a routine that actually works for me.
So if your mornings feel like a tornado of stress, try shifting one small thing—even if it’s just drinking water before your coffee or checking your planner for five minutes. Little changes add up. Grab your free routine builder workbook here and watch the magic happen.
And hey, maybe you’ll even catch a theme day before it’s too late.
What’s one thing you wish you had time for in the morning? Drop it in the comments—I wanna hear!
