Advice | Jumpstart Your Morning Routine With These Simple Changes

So much thanks to Tobi for sponsoring this post. 

Coming out of the holidays, my goal for 2018 was to stop hitting snooze and start taking advantage of the early morning hours. As a recent college grad turned full-time adult, I found myself spending all weekend sleeping and watching Netflix, and on weekdays, staying in bed until the last possible minute, hanging on to every second of sleep. Unfortunately, I’ve realized that, for me, those few extra minutes don’t translate to more energy- so I committed to finding ways to make the early parts of my day more energizing and meaningful.

Plan a morning outing:

Checkmate Plaid Shift Dress by Tobi * Pendant – Francesca’s * Leggings – Zella

While I still think the occasional lazy weekend morning in bed is hugely important to my personal self-care, I’ve found a certain sense of peace and accomplishment in going out of my way to plan an activity or adventure to get me out and about. If nothing else, a trip to the gym, a walk in the park, or a grocery run (with an extra treat for myself, like a pastry or a bouquet of flowers) sets me on track for a full and productive day.

Given how busy and tightly scheduled everyone seems to be these days, this time also offers a great opportunity to reconnect with a loved one. I recently took my mom to our favorite museum before all the field trips and tourists got there, and the weekend before that, met up with a friend I was missing for an early brunch. In anticipation of a new apartment, my boyfriend and I have jumped out of bed on countless mornings to stroll through potential neighborhoods, browse furniture stores that we probably can’t afford for inspiration, and get excited for our future home. Once spring and summer come around, street festivals, farmers’ markets, craft fairs, and everything else my city has to offer can probably fill up this time as well!

Make a stop before work:

Don’t Be Shy Off Shoulder Shift Dress by Tobi * Necklace – Altar’d State

Scheduling just half an hour before work to run errands I’ve been putting off, or for an early doctor’s appointment has been a great way to ensure I can go home and crash at the end of a long workday, in addition to providing an extra sense of accomplishment and motivation for having checked something off my list before the day has really started. 7:30am physical therapy sessions have become a ritual for me, and leave me feeling amazingly prepared to take on even the longest Fridays!

My favorite way to spend this time, though, is relaxing and treating myself- this gets me in the headspace I need to feel focused and calm at work, and sets my mood for the rest of the day. I’ll have a breakfast date with my boyfriend, pick up my guilty-pleasure donuts, or just take a seat at my favorite downtown coffee shop to sip on a cappuccino before I go into my building.

Make time for the basics:

Brielle Sleeveless Bodycon Dress by Tobi * Necklace – BP / Nordstrom

One of my simpler ways to start the day is by getting out of bed and making an effort to go the extra mile in one part of my morning routine. That could mean both styling my hair and doing a full face of makeup, brewing a cup of Kona coffee in my French press instead of settling for office coffee yet again, or sitting down for a big, home-cooked breakfast before I have to run out the door. Focusing on ways to feel amazing before I’ve actually done anything has worked wonders for me already, and is something I’m trying to get better at every day.

While I still haven’t quite figured out how to be a ‘morning person’ on the regular, I definitely feel like I’m on the way to developing healthier sleep habits and morning routines and establishing a work-life balance, and I’m loving the new perspectives it’s given me! Life in my busy city neighborhood feels completely different in the early morning when the street is quiet, the sun is shining that perfect morning light, and Trader Joe’s hasn’t sold out of bananas yet (as they inevitably do).

XO

Molly

Check out Beth’s ebook “How to Curate and Cultivate Your Dream Wardrobe” to learn more about building your perfect closet. Her 168 YEAR-ROUND OUTFITS EBOOK will show you how to start a basic wardrobe with essential classic pieces to make year-round outfits.