In 2014, Bethany Mota was the summer morning routine queen. Ever since I saw my first morning and night routine video on YouTube I was hooked. I love having routines and sticking to them. Having a morning routine helps you set the day in a positive way. It promotes structure, reduces stress, increases productivity, and more. I curated a summer morning that works best for me – and now that I have a structure in place, I plan to get up a bit earlier every day so I can keep it going into the Fall. In this blog, I will share with you my morning routine with some tips you can use to curate and create a routine that works for you. 

Journaling Practice

To start my mornings off, I like to do journaling practice. I like to do a guided journaling session with 3 prompts right when I wake up and then fill out my daily planner with those prompts. I write out positive affirmations and a gratitude list right when I wake up to put me into a good headspace. I also like to make a list of all the things that I can do that day that will make me happy instead of writing a to-do list. Substituting journaling instead of scrolling on social media when you wake up can put you into a positive mindset. There have been times when I have woken up and opted to scroll on my phone instead of journaling and it changed my whole outlook on the day in a negative way.

Inspirational Reading

I then like to finish my journaling off by reading a little passage from a morning book. I love morning books because they give you instant inspiration; for example, daily meditation books that give you a short passage and lesson you can bring along with you on your day. On some days I also like to read a chapter of a non-fiction wellbeing book The Power of Now is my top NF book recommendation at the moment. I am currently reading The Universe Has Your Back by Gabrielle Bernstein and have already seen a positive shift in my mindset and life.

*Tip: put your morning journals and books right beside your bed and train yourself to make them the first thing you reach for in the morning!*

Make Your Bed!

After I have read and journalled, I instantly make my bed. It sounds super simple, but making your bed as the first productive thing you do in the day changes your mindset into thinking: “I already did something productive, let’s keep going.” 

Movement

I like to change into a cute workout set right after I make my bed so that I can go downstairs and do some movement. I love to do dance workouts and yoga. Over the past 2 years I have found so many amazing YouTube channels that have great dance workouts. I love EMK Fit, Mad Fit, The Fitness Marshall, Popsugar, and Grow with Jo. I love the music selection and I figure out which workout to do that day. I have recently really been liking doing ballet barre inspired workouts. If you like Taylor Swift, the YouTube channel Madfit has T swift dancer sculpt workouts. It engages my core while still being relaxing. I also love to do a YogaWithBird yoga session. She has great yoga videos on her channel and they are so fun and relaxing.

*Tip: to incorporate movement into your day, make sure you have a super cute workout set and a fun playlist. Set out your workout clothes the night before and set the intention that you will have fun moving your body that day. Do it when it feels right for you and only if you actually enjoy it. If you don’t like working out, don’t worry! You do you!* 

Healthy Breakfast

After my workout, I like to make breakfast.  Food brings me so much happiness. Recently, I have been making smoothie bowls with homemade granola topped off with fresh fruit. I make a fruit smoothie with blueberries, mangos, and dragonfruit (or strawberries). I blend all that up and add some fresh granola, which I make by combining coconut oil, GF (gluten free) oats, maple syrup and cinnamon in a pan on the stovetop. Summer smoothie bowls are such a vibe – and you can enjoy them all year! Sometimes I go for oatmeal with blueberries, bakery scones, green juice, or sometimes just pieces of sourdough toast.

Hair, Makeup, Outfit

After I do these steps in my morning routine and have my breakfast, my day officially “starts.” I like to get ready for the day by doing my makeup, hair and putting on an outfit. My daily summer outfit normally is some type of skirt with a bodysuit or a top. 

Make it Work for You

To curate a morning routine that works for you, follow these steps:

• Research ideas about what you can incorporate by watching Tiktoks, Reels, YouTube videos or looking on Pinterest. See what you like and go from there. See what works best for YOU! Everybody is different.

• Try adding some habits everyday to your current routine to switch it up and try different things.

• Write about how and why you want a morning routine. What are you trying to achieve from this? Writing out these things can help motivate you to keep going and knowing your purpose. 

• Go easy on yourself rather than being critical. You don’t have to make it long. You don’t have to do everything on your list. And you don’t have to do it every day. You’re just creating a morning routine! Nothing too dramatic.

I hope this gives you some inspiration and tips on how you can create and curate a morning routine that works for you! I have been having so much fun doing this morning routine every summer morning and sticking to a consistent routine! If you want to see this morning routine in action make sure you check out my reel on Instagram! Have an amazing day!

Sincerely, 

Sadie <3