Over the years I’ve realized that my morning routine has a huge impact on how the course of my day goes. If I don’t find a few minutes for myself to ease into the day (not an easy task with two young boys!), I find myself feeling less motivated and more overwhelmed by my to-do list. When I dedicate time in the morning to a few healthy, mind-clearing activities, I tend to be more productive, patient, and inspired. In other words, a bit of “me time” in the morning helps me to be the best version of myself.

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Of course, between getting the boys dressed and dropped off at school, getting myself ready for meetings and photo shoots, and managing my inbox, finding “me time” in the morning is difficult. Thankfully, I’ve found six simple, time efficient rituals that help me start the day on a positive note. I’ve made it a personal goal to practice all of these habits each weekday morning, but even just a few days a week is a huge plus! Read on below for how I sneak time for myself in the AM — I highly recommend you try them out!

Wake Up Before the Boys

The boys are at an age where they wake up really early on their own. Instead of letting them coax me out of bed every morning, I set my alarm a tad earlier than their usual wake up time so that I have some time to myself (just 30 minutes can feel like such a luxury). I love being awake when the house is still quiet and enjoying a few meditative minutes before the boys wake up and my focus shifts to their needs.

Switch My Phone to Airplane Mode

It’s so easy to roll over and check my inbox and Instagram feed first thing in the morning, but when I let myself do that, I immediately feel overwhelmed by my to-do list before the day even begins. To keep my stress in check, I switch my phone to airplane mode in the morning and enjoy a few blissful hours disconnected from the outside world. I wait until I’m ready to start the work day to switch off airplane mode and start tackling my inbox so my mind is already overwhelmed and racing with deadlines, content and to-do lists.

Enjoy a Healthy Breakfast with Morning Quiet Time

I try to make time for the most important meal of the day every morning. I cherish the mornings when I get to sit down with my journal and a daily devotional while eating a healthy breakfast with refreshing fruit juice or fruit smoothie. Our whole family is a fan of Simply’s delicious, not-from-concentrate juices, and I feel confident as a mom buying them because there are no artificial flavors or preservatives. Simply recently launched a new line of “Simply Light” juices that contain less sugar and fewer calories than their regular juices. They are just as delicious and refreshing, and I don’t have to worry about my calorie intake or the boys having too much sugar before school. With delicious and kid-friendly flavors like Simply Light Orange and Simply Light Lemonade with Raspberry, this new line is a win-win for the whole family! We love using them in our smoothies, too! You can browse all of their new flavors and ingredients here: https://www.simplyorangejuice.com/products/light-juices.

Make My Bed

It seems like whenever I read an interview with a successful woman about her morning routine, making the bed is almost always mentioned. I have to admit that when I take time to make the bed in the morning, I feel empowered to start the day on a clean slate, even if the rest of the house isn’t perfect! Since I typically work from home, having a clean house is crucial to my productivity at work! I can’t walk by my room (or any room) and see the bed unmade while I’m trying to get work done. And is it just me, or does making the bed feel therapeutic? It feels like a small accomplishment to start the day off with, one less thing to worry about.

Listen to a Podcast

While getting myself ready or making Knox’ school lunch, I often turn on an inspirational podcast to motivate me for the work day ahead. There are so many wonderful podcasts out there, from entrepreneurial advice to parenting and from blogging tips to wellness. You can find my list of recommendations here! I often work from home by myself, so I love soaking up all of the outside wisdom I can get.

Give My Skin a Little Extra TLC Before Diving into My Inbox

As I’ve mentioned before, my skincare regimen is very important to me. Since the boys wake up so early, I usually have a few hours before I need to be dressed and ready for work. I love trying out new products and masks, and the morning is a great time to test them out. It only takes a second to apply and then I can snuggle the boys on the couch while they watch a cartoon. I am all about multi-tasking and what better way to start your day than a little self-care and snuggles… I mean it doesn’t get any better. (But be prepared for intriguing questions and comments from your toddlers.)

Do you have any go-to morning habits that help you start your day off on the right foot? I would love to hear in the comments below!