As I started my new job, I realised I needed to make a change to my mornings. Rushed, stressed, always running late. Arriving at work without my hair done, no breakfast had, trying not to throw up on the train on the way in because I’d had to take my medication without food… Again…
You know the story. You’ve probably lived it.
I’d known for a few years now some tips and tricks on how to change my morning and I just couldn’t be bothered. It seemed far too hard to face a change in my morning routine. Plus I’m not a morning person. I get to work early but that’s more a transport thing than anything else. Come to think of it, I’m not a late night person either. I’m really about the middle of the day… Except 3pm, because that’s nap time.
It was this post from Kelly Exeter at exactly the right time that gave me the kick up the bum to just do what I’d been meaning to.
I’ve already noticed such a difference and, of the many changes I intended to make, I’ve only made three! Just goes to show the impact of small changes.
1. Put out my clothes
My clothes for Week 1
I’ve heard a few people recommend putting out your clothes the night before but, frankly, I’m often too tired and cranky to do that when it comes time and I just want to go to bed. So I took it one step further – on Sunday I check the weather report for the week and I put out the whole week’s clothes. I have an over the door set of hooks (conveniently 10 hooks) and I just hang the hangers on there.
Bonus: If you keep track of what you’re wearing, it will make it very obvious which clothes you can get rid of – something I’m really focusing on at the moment in my quest to become a minimalist.
2. Get up earlier
WHHYYYYYYYY?! I already get up so early!
Don’t worry, I hear you. I didn’t want to do it either. Particularly not when Kelly told me to get up half an hour earlier, and I already have my alarm set for 5:40am.
So I didn’t, I just made two tweaks. The first is that I give myself permission to leave later, and the second was that instead of hitting snooze and waiting for the Viking to get out of the shower before I get into it, I have been getting up and eating breakfast.
I don’t like being out of bed, so I gave myself permission to climb back into bed with my breakfast to eat it. Bella then gets over excited that mum is awake, joins me for a cuddle, and I get to start my day feeling relaxed and luxurious.
Bonus: Giving myself permission to leave later and catch the next train after has actually meant I’m less anxious and I do things quicker – so I’m getting to the station at the same time anyway!
3. Get rid of devices
My new alarm clock
A tough one, to be sure. How was I going to cope without my alarm and my last minute face borking?
Off like a bandaid. I bought a battery operated mechanical alarm clock that has no bells or whistles, pun intended. It sits beside my head and everything else lives in the lounge room.
I don’t think I’ve slept as soundly.
Bonus: Without my phone there as a distraction when I wake up, it’s nicer to sit in bed with my breakfast and the cat and have a quiet moment to myself. I get to start the day with a clear mind and I’m finding it’s later and later before I log in to Facebook.
These three tips have transformed my mornings and I hope my adapted versions (read: lazier) help you if you’re not a morning person too.
How are your mornings? Have you implemented any tips, tricks or hacks to share?
