Different seasons bring different capacity. In my first trimester, I was in survival mode—sleeping late, minimal energy, little exercise. That was okay; it was temporary.
Now in the second trimester, I’m energized and excited to dive into our new homeschool year and regular rhythms. I’ve been hard at work establishing a good morning routine: time to focus on my health, prayer life, and a few chores before the kids wake up. When I start the day this way, my days start so much better!
If your capacity feels small right now, give yourself grace—there’s a season for everything. If you’re in a higher-capacity season, try getting up, even when you don’t feel like it. Remind yourself: I’ll be so glad I did.
Tip: Remember that the key to a great morning routine is a great evening routine. More on that in days to come, but as you’ll see throughout my morning, some things are easier or even on autopilot because I prepared the night before.
- 6:00AM Rise and shine
- Put on workout clothes I laid out the previous night
- Grab my smart watch (for tracking time, steps, and bmp), phone, and earbuds
- Preheat dutch oven for 30 minutes
- 6:05/6:10 Morning Walk
- 30 minutes of brisk walking (good for my mental and physical health as well as my circadian rhythm!)
- Pray for Simeon and each of the kids. Then pray through my daily list in the Prayer Mate app. Text those I prayed for asking for updated requests and let them know I prayed for them today.
- Listen to Scott Pauley’s 10 minute Enjoying the Journey podcast episode.
- Quick check of phone notifications and social media
- 6:45 Get Ready
- Drink my mineral water (filtered water, fresh lemon juice, mineral salt) that I prepared the night before. Boosts hydration on a cellular level.
- Take sourdough out of fridge, score, put in dutch oven to bake for 45 minutes
- Do 10 pushups (challenge from Nourish, Move, Love)
- Wash my face (favorite cleanser), moisturize, and brush teeth
- Get dressed
- 7:00 {Simeon wakes kids}
- 7:00 Hang clothes on clothes line (I have a smart washing machine so I can schedule the load to be done in the morning. Best thing ever!)
- 7:20 Make Breakfast
- I focus on high protein breakfasts so we do a lot of eggs, meat, oatmeals, sourdough toast with peanut or almond butter.
- I try to avoid processed foods, especially at breakfast because they tend to be so high in sugar. That requires me to think ahead and prep ahead so I have homemade breakfast ready in the morning without spending much time in the kitchen. (think baked oatmeal, egg bites, homemade granola with yogurt and fruit, breakfast casseroles)
- 7:30 Eat Breakfast as a Family
- Take sourdough out of the oven and let cool. (It seems to have a better texture if I let it cool for several hours. The loaf I bake in the morning we either eat with dinner or I save for the next day’s breakfast. Sourdough recipe I use.)
- 8:00 Kitchen Clean-Up
- 8:15 School Day Begins
A few things you might have noticed
-It’s amazing what you can cram into an hour or so of time! The formation of this list and the habits accompanying it didn’t happen overnight. Planning, prayer, baby steps, and diligence compound into time well spent!
-In this season, I have found that it is better for me to read my Bible in the evening. This gives me more quiet and time to dig in and focus without feeling the need to rush to the next task of the day. I also enjoy meditating on God’s Word before I go to sleep. (I’m currently reading through the Bible in a year with this Bible- Daily Promise Bible)
-I don’t wear makeup every day. Most mornings are busy with homeschooling and homemaking. I put on my moisturizer and call it good until I either go the day without makeup or put it on later in the day.
-The kids get up at 7:00am and have morning routines they are to accomplish by breakfast at 7:30.
- Eden, 9: Wake up, make bed, read Bible and pray, get dressed, brush hair.
- Knox, 7: Wake up, make bed, read Bible and pray, get dressed, put away bottom rack of dishwasher.
- Ivy, 5: Wake up, make bed, read Bible and pray, get dressed (I lay out her clothes the night before), put away top rack of dishwasher.
- Willow, 3: Wake up, make bed (as best she can), pray, get dressed (I lay out her clothes the night before).
- Flora, 2: Wake up, Daddy changes diaper and gets her dressed)
I recently listened to a podcast interview between Katie Voetberg and her mama, Jenise Johnson. Mrs. Jenise wisely said that one of the greatest gifts you can give your children is good habits. Well, that all starts with Mama! That is one reason why I have been more intentional in establishing good habits for myself and seeking to follow through with them.
Comment and let me know your questions or if I missed anything. I’d love to hear what your morning routine looks like!
