Earlier this week I posted about how I have my best morning, every morning. But it doesn’t “just happen.” Here’s the secret: having a great morning begins the night before.
These 4 simple night-time habits set me up for a great morning, every morning.
1. As I clean up from dinner, I prep the coffee so that in the morning, all I have to do is hit the start button.
2. After getting the kiddies in bed, Wyatt (the hubs) and I hang out for our 8-9pm nightly date. No work, no household chores, no kids, no iPhones. We’ve been committed to making this “date” hour a priority for over three years. It has become a sweet way to consistently stay connected and a great way to end the day. (This helps keep our bedtime consistent as well.)
3. Before jumping in bed, I lay out an outfit for the next morning. I know- it sounds like I’m in the third grade. But I’m not a natural morning person. Having a ready to go outfit helps ease the early morning process. Usually it’s yoga pants, a t-shirt and running shoes/socks.
(hint: I’ve found that putting on my socks and shoes in the morning helps me wake up and enter the morning well. When I slide downstairs in my comfy pj’s and slippers, I’m super likely to slide right over to the couch and fall fast asleep. Shoes and socks tell my brain that it’s “go-time” and my morning routine is better for it.)
4. I set my alarm for 5:20, and get in bed around 9pm. Some nights we find there is a compelling line-up of Duck Dynasty episodes that we just can’t resist. (Kidding…kind of.) But generally, we try to be in bed by 9pm. I’ve learned that going to bed early is MUST if I am going to get up early. And this girl needs her sleep.
Instead of the discipline of prepping at night, and waking up early being difficult, it has become a delight. It is something that both Wyatt and I look forward to daily and benefit from on multiple levels.
It’s simply one way that we choose to live our lives by design, instead of default. And I’m thankful for that.