The Slow Morning Routine That Sets Me Up for Success Every Day

There are two camps — morning people who love being part of the 5 AM club and then those that burn the midnight oil.

Me… I love early mornings, especially slow mornings!

The concept of morning routines has become a cliché in recent times, with many people dismissing it as another self-help trend. However, the importance of starting your day off on the right foot can make a big difference in your day.

Imagine getting up with an hour to spare before getting ready for work. What would you do with that time?

Close your eyes and imagine it.

Would you spend some time in the quiet with a cup of coffee or tea and a candle burning in the background? Would you catch up on some reading or maybe work on your side hustle? Would it give you the time to get a workout in?

There is no shame in sleeping in instead of getting up early. I believe morning routines are bio-individual. Do what works best for you, even if that is sleeping until the very last minute before you have to get ready for work!

As a member of the 5 A.M. club, I have found that implementing a morning routine has had a profound impact on my daily life.

That being said, your morning routine can be what you want or need it to be. We’re all different in what type of routine makes us more productive and happy. For me, it is 5 AM, but for you, it might be 7 AM.

Or, it might be 8 PM at night! When and what you do for your ‘morning routine’ doesn’t need to look like everyone else — do what works for you!

My morning routine starts in the evening most of the time. If I am too tired, I might skip this part, but when I don’t skip it — my morning starts off on a way better footing.

Before bed, I like to get out my datebook, reference my weekly tasks list in Notion, and set my hyper-specific tasks to work on in the morning after my relaxation time. I will even plan out my breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Knowing what I will be working on before the morning starts is essential to saving time and getting things done. Otherwise, I may just work on things that aren’t helping me grow or I will wander blogs instead of working on my side hustle.

Then when the alarm goes off…

I seriously love getting up early. I don’t automatically wake up at 5 AM. I have my alarm set for 4:49 AM, then another one for 5:15 in case I need a few more minutes of sleep.

I used to grab my phone first thing and check email and Instagram. To be perfectly honest I still do sometimes. The reason: the bright phone lights and focus on whatever I am looking at on the phone wake me up. I need that at 5 o’clock in the morning! But, as many of you know — that can lead to spending way too much time scrolling.

I am getting back to an old habit that helps me wake up: I use breathwork to wake my brain up. Breathwork is a tool that calms me and helps me to fall asleep. Intentional morning breathwork actually gets my body energized and helps me to take the plunge and hop out of bed. Give it a try sometime!

Once I get into the kitchen to make my french press coffee and grab my first glass of water, I am 75% wide awake.

My 5–9 morning routine: It is a slow holistic practice that starts with the atmosphere

I set a mood in the early mornings. I need total quiet, coffee, water, and a candle burning in the background. During my first hour, I like to catch up on blogs that I follow, allowing my mind to ease into the morning.

After my hour of calm, I move on to my side hustle. This is the time I dedicate to working on my side hustle for an hour and a half. I find that this focused work at the start of my day sets the tone for the rest of the day and helps me make significant progress toward my business goals.

I am going to tell you something — this routine is not static. I let it be what it needs to be on any given day. If I need to spend more time in my coffee/reading hour, then I do and I don’t get down on myself for doing that.

To complete my morning routine, I spend the next thirty minutes writing in my morning pages journal, followed by a meditation and manifesting session. I finally end with a short yoga routine. This time of introspection and reflection helps me clarify my thoughts and feel more energized.

At this point, I get on with a jog or workout, shower, and off to my day job at my home office.

My morning routine is not just about following a set of actions; it is about creating an environment that helps me focus on my physical, mental, and emotional well-being. That is why I like to call it my slow morning holistic practice.

The phrase ‘slow morning holistic practice’ highlights the essence of the morning routine, which is to take care of oneself intuitively and holistically in the morning. It is not about just following a list of actions, but rather creating a mindful and intentional start to your day that nourishes your mind, body, and spirit.

Do you want to try to become a morning person?

7 strategies for becoming a morning person:

1. Gradually adjust your wake-up time instead of abruptly setting your alarm an hour earlier, gradually adjust your wake-up time by 15–30 minutes every few days. This will help your body adjust to the new routine without feeling too abrupt.
2. To wake up early feeling refreshed, it’s vital to get enough sleep at night. Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep every night and establish a consistent bedtime routine to help you fall asleep faster.
3. Avoid screens at least an hour before bed! This is huge for me. The blue light emitted by screens can disrupt your body’s production of melatonin, a hormone that helps you sleep.
4. Create a morning routine atmosphere and decide what will make the morning routine something that you look forward to. This could include stretching or yoga, meditating, or having a cup of coffee while you read a book/blogs (like me).
5. Stick to your morning routine even on weekends and holidays within reason. I don’t wake up at 5 AM on the weekends, but I don’t sleep too late. This will help your body get into a consistent rhythm and make waking up early feel more natural.
6. Open the curtains so as the sun rises you let in the natural light. Exposure to natural light in the morning can help regulate your body’s internal clock and make it easier to wake up.
7. Becoming a morning person takes time and effort, so be patient with yourself and don’t give up if you have a few setbacks along the way.

Implementing a morning routine can have a significant impact on your daily life. It is not about waking up at a certain time or following a specific set of actions, but rather about creating a mindful and intentional start to your day.

So why not give it a try and see how it can transform your life?