Traditionally, I’m a night owl. But now that I’m working full time, with a 1.5 hour (at least) commute in the morning and night, I’ve had to change my routine.
No matter how much sleep I get, I struggle with a 5.30am start. The last thing I want and need at that time of the day is unnecessary stress. And while some hiccups are unavoidable, most can be dodged. So what’s my secret to a stress-free morning? Well it’s pretty simple. The trick isn’t what you do in the morning, it’s what you do the night before: prepare.
I know how hard it can be to peel off the couch and get stuck into preparation mode. But trust me, it saves you so much time and misery and it’ll take you no more than thirty minutes! If that doesn’t entice you, maybe this will: the more you prepare the evening before, the more time you have to sleep in the next morning!
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Prepare breakfast
The beauty about my workplace is almost everyone eats their breakfast in the office, including me. So rather than eating at home each morning, I spend a few minutes each night cutting up apples and scooping yoghurt so I can enjoy breakfast at the comfort of my desk while I moderate online. It’s a double win for me, because not only do I save time in the morning for extra zzz’s, I also get to cure my hunger instead of craving my client’s amazing food posts.
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Prepare lunch & snacks
I prep lunch and snacks the night before for three reasons. Firstly, if I’m rushing in the morning, I am guaranteed to forget something. Secondly, it takes twice as long in the morning because I’m still half asleep. And thirdly, I’m guaranteed to waste money and eat rubbish if I don’t prepare lunch and snacks . Because I meal prep every Sunday, most of my lunches done for the week. But it’s things like carrot sticks, crackers and salads that are my main priority the night before. Personally I save a lot of time, because all I have to do is grab what I need from the fridge and I’m on my way.
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Ensure clothes are washed, folded and stored away
There’s nothing worse than waking up to find you’d left your clothes crumpled and creased in the washing basket. Not only is it frustrating, it also wastes time while you figure out what to wear as an alternative. I’ve made it a priority to do my washing Friday night (or Saturday morning at the latest) and then folded and put away by Sunday night. That way I know I have my wardrobe essentials ready at all times.
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Choose and layout your outfit
In the morning, when I’m yearning to return to bed, the last thing I want to think about is what I’ll wear. Seriously, if I had my way at 5.30am it’d be a baggy tee and comfy yoga pants. By choosing what you wear the night before, you’ve got one less thing to think about in the morning. Plus, if your chosen outfit still happens to be in the washing basket (which it shouldn’t be, because you’re washing, folding and storing your clothes promptly!) you can get it ready the night before instead of having a rude awakening in the morning.
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Tidy your room
Every night before bed I make sure my bedroom is tidy and organised. It’s a pain in the ass because I really just want to be in bed, but it makes it easier to navigate through the next morning (when I’m hardly functioning) and locate items if I am in an urgent rush. Plus, having a tidy room makes waking up and returning home more pleasant because it’s one less thing I have to do. Win, win!
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Pack your bags
I can’t tell you the number of times when I’ve left the house and walked to the train station only to realise I’ve forgotten something. Headphones, recharges, books – you name it! The best way to avoid this is by packing your bags the night before. Not only does it help minimise the likelihood you’ll forget something, but it’ll saves you time too.
How do you get through mornings, and what your best tips to surviving them? Let me know in the comments!
I agree with all your points. I am pretty useless in the mornings and it always takes me 10 times as long to do simple things. Such great tips.!
http://www.chausadventure.com
I am totally the same! I’m as slow as a snail in the morning, although my pace completely changes when my alarm doesn’t go off and I have 10 minutes to sort myself out!
These tips are amazing. I should start doing that ”pick your clothes on the previous evening” thing. I could possibly then wear some clothes most of the days. Gotta love maternity leave haha 😀
Thanks Jasmin! It’s amazing how the simple things can also prove to be the most difficult. I’ve lost count how many times I’ve had an idea of the outfit I want to wear, only to wake up the next morning it’s got stains on it or it’s in the wash still!
Hi Justine, I’m way too slow in the mornings! Breakfast is quickly prepared but I struggle with the choice of outfit and want to start preparing one day in advance!
I’m more tired in the morning than I am when I went to bed, so I can be incredibly slow too. It’s amazing how quickly I’ll get ready when my alarm doesn’t go off…
Great tips to get started, getting up 5.30h is mean, tho! ggrrr, way too early for me.
I hear ya! I’ve had to learn to get up at 5.30am (6am if I’m really pushing it…). It sucks but I know it’s not long term. Just gotta stick it out for a year 🙂
Great tips and tricks Justine! Now i work from home, but when i was working in an office, i would have always be prepared the night before, either with my lunch, my outfit, etc. Saving money and time!
Helene // Beautiful Is My Attire
Thanks Helene! I would love to be working from home again. Or working somewhere that isn’t a 1.5 hour commute away from home!
My routine is the same, i hate mess, so everything need to be perfect or i will feel stressed xo
http://www.theninebyivana.blogspot.com
I am very particular about cleanliness! If things are too messy, I can’t function. So I always like to have a clean home and working space.
I hear you girl – I wish my mornings were a bit less chaotic but I’ve started getting up 10 minutes earlier and having pre-prepared breakfast and that has helped A LOT.
Katja xxx
http://www.katnapped.com
I wish life in generally wasn’t as chaotic! But I’m learning that it’s no good focusing on the problem. It’s all about focusing on the solutions 🙂
How did you know I needed this in my life. My mornings have not been the smoothest. It has been because I haven’t taken the time to get this stuff done before the morning. I spend most time blogging. I gotta apply your pointers.
Glad this post arrived at the right time! I feel ya though, if I’m having a night when I’m not disciplined, I’ll be working on the blog late into the night and then wake up extremely tired and unorganised!
Yes but when, I don’t have time to do this.. haha! I wish I had, but maybe when our baby is a bit older.
I always find right before bed is a good time for me. It’s not the perfect time – I’m totally zonked and ready for bed – but I’d much rather get collected before bed than racing and rushing in the morning 🙂
I am not a morning person, so these tips are extremely helpful for me, Justine. They will definitely come in handy for me. 😉
Totally know how you feel! I’m naturally a night owl so I had to come up with some solution to survive early mornings!
I agree with all your points. Very interesting and great topic. xo