My Realistic Morning Routine

I’ve tried every trendy morning routine out there—cold plunges, hour-long meditations, green juice cleanses. Most lasted about three days. Here’s what actually stuck.

The Routine That Changed Everything

5:30 AM — Wake up (no snooze)

The key was moving my phone charger across the room. Now I have to get up to turn off the alarm.

5:35 AM — Hydrate + move

A large glass of water with lemon, then 10 minutes of stretching or yoga. Nothing intense—just waking up my body.

5:45 AM — Coffee ritual

This is non-negotiable. I grind beans, use my French press, and actually sit down to drink it. No scrolling.

6:00 AM — Brain dump journaling

Three pages of stream-of-consciousness writing. Not goals, not gratitude—just whatever’s in my head. This practice alone has reduced my anxiety significantly.

6:20 AM — Plan the day

I review my calendar and write down my top 3 priorities. Not 10 things—three.

6:30 AM — Get ready

Shower, skincare, getting dressed. Having a capsule wardrobe makes this much faster.

7:15 AM — Out the door (or at my desk)

With time to spare before the world starts demanding things from me.

Why This Works (When Others Didn’t)

It’s Flexible

If I sleep poorly, I skip the stretching. If I’m running late, the journaling gets shorter. The framework matters more than perfection.

It’s Enjoyable

I actually look forward to this time. There’s no suffering involved—no ice baths or forcing myself to exercise when I don’t want to.

It’s Mine

Before 7 AM, I haven’t checked email, social media, or news. This time belongs entirely to me.

What I’ve Stopped Doing

• Checking my phone first thing — This was the hardest habit to break but the most impactful
• Setting unrealistic goals — “I’ll wake up at 4 AM and run 5 miles” was never going to happen
• Feeling guilty about coffee — It brings me joy. The end.
• Comparing my routine to influencers — Their routines are content, not reality

The Unexpected Benefits

Since starting this routine six months ago:

• My anxiety has decreased noticeably
• I’m more focused at work
• I make better decisions (no more reactive choices)
• I feel in control of my day rather than controlled by it

Tips for Building Your Own Routine

1. Start with one thing — Don’t overhaul your entire morning at once
2. Anchor to existing habits — Link new habits to things you already do
3. Prepare the night before — Set out clothes, prep the coffee maker
4. Protect this time fiercely — Early meetings and late nights will try to steal it
5. Give it 30 days — That’s how long it takes to feel natural

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What does your morning routine look like? Or are you more of a night owl?