morning routines

by allegra gonzalez

Routines, routines, and more routines. We’re all pretty much experts at them by now. Even babies start adapting to routines at just four months old, figuring out when to sleep and when to eat. Humans love routines because they give our lives much-needed stability. This helps take out some of the stress of our everyday lives. When we’re not constantly making decisions, we save time, energy, and get more done—basically, it gives us that sense of control we all crave.

I am lucky enough to have classes from two through six, although I am really liking my schedule right now, it was actually really hard for me to adapt to having pretty much the whole morning free, unlike my highschool days. Back in September, I would sleep in until really late and stay up deep into the hours of the night. This really messed me up and my productivity since I was not used to this.

Now, I know routines can get boring and repetitive, and yes, I get it. We’ve all been there, feeling stuck in a predictable loop of the same old, same old. Yet, having a routine some days of the week can actually help with productivity and make our everyday lives run a lot smoother.  

How we start every morning can really set the tone for the rest of the day. A solid morning routine helps you start off on the right foot, how you begin your day can have a big impact on your productivity and mental clarity. A well-planned morning routine doesn’t have to be complicated. It can be as simple as waking up a little earlier to enjoy a coffee, get some exercise, or review your schedule for the day. These small habits can help reduce stress and give you the clarity you need to power through classes, homework or jobs, rather than rolling out of bed and sprinting to class. 

For this issue I thought it would be fun to share my morning routine, what works for me and hopefully provide some inspiration for yours!

Luckily I got it together and created a morning routine that benefits me and has helped me become the best version of myself.

Since I have pretty much my whole morning free, I do all my personal needs in the morning and leave the late afternoon and early nights for school related tasks, but you can adjust, break apart, and create a routine that fits you!

Journaling: Journaling helps me start the morning in the perfect way. It helps clear my mind, release past emotions, and set intentions for what I want to get done. By taking time to reflect, practice gratitude, and organize my thoughts, I set a positive tone for the rest of the day. In the previous issue I listed my favorite prompts! Here are a few more: 

• What am I grateful for today?

• What is one thing I can do today to move closer to my goals?

• What can I do to make today better than yesterday?

• What am I feeling right now?

• What tasks are my priority for today?

Meditating: Meditating is key to grounding myself, it happens more often than not when I wake up with my head swarming with thoughts, which overwhelms me and unmotivates me. Doing a quick ten minute meditation helps me ground myself and clear my head.

This one is my favorite: https://youtu.be/FGO8IWiusJo?si=8XTyjgRrbrIe3xac

Making my bed: As I have mentioned before, my bed is my safe space, not a place to do homework or any other thing rather than relaxing or sleeping. Making my bed when I wake up creates a tidy and calming environment. Starting the day with this small act of discipline is a step that can make a big difference in how I feel throughout the day.

A cup of coffee:Coffee is one of my main motivations of the day. I go to bed craving it, so enjoying a cup of coffee (or tea) in the morning really boosts my energy and spirit for the day!

Entertainment: With all the homework and whirlwinds of day to day life it is hard for me to make time to read a book of my choice, watch my favorite youtuber, or watch a netflix show. So leaving aside thirty minutes of my morning to relax and enjoy something is really important! Remember, balance is key!

Movement: Starting my day with movement, whether it’s stretching, yoga, or a quick workout gives me energy to power through the rest of my day! (have you checked out Emerson’s new gym? It’s pretty cool!) Physical activity releases endorphins,helps wake up the body, increases circulation, and supports overall health!

Routines! They can be such a blessing in disguise! I hope you take some inspiration from mine to build your own routine. I cannot stress enough how helpful and rewarding a little bit of discipline can be. Whether it be productivity, emotionally or physically wise, I swear by them! Thanks for tuning in Bliss Bloggers, see you next week!