Yesterday I talked about Morning Routines and how
I realized that I needed to make time for quiet in the morning, namely waking
up before my kids. But, really, a good
morning routine begins the night before.
I realized that I needed to make time for quiet in the morning, namely waking
up before my kids. But, really, a good
morning routine begins the night before.
I should start by saying that not every person is a morning
person, and if you are more of a night person, by all means, use the time after
you are finished with work, after your kids are in bed, for you, to unwind and
take some time for you. These tips for
an evening routine are especially important for people who have trouble getting
up early in the morning.
person, and if you are more of a night person, by all means, use the time after
you are finished with work, after your kids are in bed, for you, to unwind and
take some time for you. These tips for
an evening routine are especially important for people who have trouble getting
up early in the morning.
For me, the number one thing I like to have in the morning
is coffee. I know it is acidic and too
much caffeine is not good for you, however, having coffee in the morning makes
me happy, so I am going to continue to do it.
I do alternate with tea sometimes.
In the summer I often like iced tea, in the winter I will drink hot tea
all day to try and stay warm – Maine is very very cold in the winter.
is coffee. I know it is acidic and too
much caffeine is not good for you, however, having coffee in the morning makes
me happy, so I am going to continue to do it.
I do alternate with tea sometimes.
In the summer I often like iced tea, in the winter I will drink hot tea
all day to try and stay warm – Maine is very very cold in the winter.
Because I like coffee so much, I figured out that having the
coffee already brewing when I wake up in the morning saves me quite a bit of
time. I don’t have to set up the coffee
maker, I don’t have to wait for the coffee to brew, it is already waiting for
me when I come down in the morning.
coffee already brewing when I wake up in the morning saves me quite a bit of
time. I don’t have to set up the coffee
maker, I don’t have to wait for the coffee to brew, it is already waiting for
me when I come down in the morning.
I spend my mornings reading my Bible and writing. It is what helps move me through my day.
My writing is not all journaling or blog work either; it is
list making and preparing for the day as well.
list making and preparing for the day as well.
I like to make sure my Bible, journal, and Erin Condren Life Planner are all sitting and ready for me in the morning.
Now, I think that there is a case to be made for making a
list of things you need to do the next day, the night before, however, my brain
doesn’t work much past 4:30pm, so I prefer to write out my to-do lists in the
morning.
list of things you need to do the next day, the night before, however, my brain
doesn’t work much past 4:30pm, so I prefer to write out my to-do lists in the
morning.
Writing out a to-do list the night before would definitely
help you in your morning routine if that is something you can manage the night
before.
help you in your morning routine if that is something you can manage the night
before.
If you are going to sit down for quiet time, I think that it
helps to have a special place to do that.
Not that it has to be special, but the same place, where you know you
are going to go every morning to sit and meditate on the day.
helps to have a special place to do that.
Not that it has to be special, but the same place, where you know you
are going to go every morning to sit and meditate on the day.
If your goal is to exercise in the morning, make sure all of
your workout clothes are out and ready to go.
Make sure your sneakers are right there, so you can immediately get
ready and go. If your goal is to sit and
eat breakfast, make sure that your breakfast is ready for the morning, make a
breakfast meal plan, and then spend the night before preparing it so you can
immediately eat it the next morning – a nice option is overnight oats in the
crock pot or some type of muesli that you can take right out of the fridge in
the morning.
your workout clothes are out and ready to go.
Make sure your sneakers are right there, so you can immediately get
ready and go. If your goal is to sit and
eat breakfast, make sure that your breakfast is ready for the morning, make a
breakfast meal plan, and then spend the night before preparing it so you can
immediately eat it the next morning – a nice option is overnight oats in the
crock pot or some type of muesli that you can take right out of the fridge in
the morning.
Another great idea is to prepare everyone’s lunches the
night before, then you won’t need to be concerned about preparing lunch first
thing in the morning.
night before, then you won’t need to be concerned about preparing lunch first
thing in the morning.
There are obviously more ways you can prepare for your
morning the night before, but I wanted to give a few options to let you know
that if you do prepare the night before, your morning will be much smoother,
and you will be able to have that time for self-care that we all need first
thing in the morning.
morning the night before, but I wanted to give a few options to let you know
that if you do prepare the night before, your morning will be much smoother,
and you will be able to have that time for self-care that we all need first
thing in the morning.
What is
one item on your morning to-do list that you can do in the evening? Are you a morning person or a night person?
one item on your morning to-do list that you can do in the evening? Are you a morning person or a night person?
Debby Hudson says
October 8, 2015 at 11:40 amPreparation is an important key to self-care isn't it? I was better at it when our kids were home but with it just my husband and I, I've become lax. I need to remember how my mental state improves with things prepared. Thanks for the reminder!
Amanda Farmer says
October 7, 2015 at 9:41 pmI'm a morning person stuck in a family of late-nighters. I want to do things in the morning but we end up rising late. Then I'm feeling behind all day. Having things ready to go for the morning before bed helps a lot.
Jessica Abegg says
October 7, 2015 at 6:28 pmI'm a morning person, so far as I'm up at a decent hour. If I sleep in, nothing seems to get done on those days! Every once in a while, though, I'll go through a bit of time where the evenings (or late nights!) are super productive for me.
I try and make sure that the next day's list is done in the evening, and that is the most bit of preparation that I do for the next day. I wish I knew what more to do to prepare for the next day, but beyond actually just doing tasks ahead of time, I'm not sure what it would be! I've always liked the idea, though. But I try and leave my planner in the same place on my desk, so it's ready to go in the morning, as well as where the keys, shoes, and purse are in the off chance the next day is a leave-the-house day – which is good for grocery days, as I can get up, get ready, and head out the door!
Jessica @ Barefoot by the Sea says
October 7, 2015 at 6:17 pmGreat tips to help both morning and evening people! I'm definetely a morning person and it's essential for me to have clothes for school ready to go, breakfast table set, lunches prepared and backpacks ready. I leave the house with my oldest at 6:40am so any unplanned items can really throw us off!