If you are anything like me, getting up in the morning is hard. Especially with the weather getting colder and the bed feeling so warm and cozy. You have probably heard of the “five a.m. morning routine” or even the “rise and grind” trend flooding the internet lately. The thought of waking up before most people, watching the sunrise, and being productive sounds ideal. This morning routine however is a bit different.
My favorite way to start my mornings is slow with my intentions for the day set. I like to wake up at around 8:30 a.m. to 9 o’clock in the morning; this is the time I found that keeps me the most energized throughout the day, but how early or late you wake up depends entirely on you. When I wake up, the first thing I do is lie down for about five to ten minutes. During this time I set goals for my day and prepare to get up. After that, I fill my water bottle and then get ready to shower. I like to shower in the morning so I can wake up. Cold showers are preferable; they are a great way to start the morning and energize you.
Once I am done showering I check my phone (finally), do my hair, then put on clothes that I can move around in. Afterward, I am starving (naturally), so I make myself breakfast. Normally I stick to avocado toast and eggs, but recently I have also been enjoying chia seeds and oatmeal.
Before my classes, I put on my favorite playlist, then do a fifteen-minute yoga routine. The yoga I do in the morning is not very intensive but focuses primarily on breathwork and connecting to my body and mind before the day starts. Finally, the last step to my morning routine is making a chai or matcha latte (I have been trying to avoid buying Starbucks), then I check my laptop and see if there are any last-minute things I need to turn in or do before class.
Becoming a college student and learning how to take care of myself while also finding a steady routine that actually works for me has been a struggle. Productivity is very hard when you no longer have someone forcing it on you. By focusing on myself and being organized throughout the day the process has gotten a bit easier. Through trial and error, I have found what works best for me and I hope through my morning routine you can learn and implement a routine that works for you as well!