Morning Routine

Good Morning! You can't see me, hear me or experience my energy but just know I'm wide awake. Since high school I've been waking up around 5am.  I don't use an alarm but rather pop out of bed enthusiastically for the day... 100% morning bird! 

I'm often asked what I do in these dark quiet hours so today I'm sharing with you what I do each morning from 5-7am.

5:00 -5:20

I start by coming downstairs and reading God's Word. I don't just flip it open at random but use a study with questions.  Currently I'm in a ladies bible study on Ruth. I have this one in my cart. 

I truly believe starting the day with God prepares our hearts with gratitude, patience and endurance for the day. I encourage you to go beyond a quote of the day or devotional and use a study with questions to create more intention and growth. 

5:20-5:45

I then move on to chores. Unloading the dishwasher occurs nearly every day but other chores may include folding a load of laundry, cleaning the floors, watering plants, polishing furniture - whatever can be done to tidy our home in the quiet. 

5:45-6:00

At this point I'm very hungry! I've been eating the exact same breakfast for over 15 years. 

FIRST, I make coffee! I grind 1/4 cup of beans to 2 cups of water. We use Black Rifle Coffee and highly recommend auto shipment. 

I then cook 2 eggs over medium with a sprinkle of cracked black pepper and toast 1 piece of Ezekiel bread with a light dusting of butter.

6:00 - 6:15

I wait until I've been up for an hour before opening my phone or computer to check email and social media. 

6:15

I recently added this 20-30 minute face mask to my morning routine. It's amazing!

Now I sip the piping hot black coffee!!!

6:15-6:50

I spend this time writing blog posts or working my job.  I'm my most creative and sharp in the morning which makes for writing that's genuine.  I've always found it efficient to complete work tasks prior to actual business hours so that there is room in the day for responses and tasks. 

 

I consult my planner and create/modify the day & week's to-do list so that I can be organized. 

My list making is a bit over the top but it makes me happy and accomplished! 

6:50 - 7:00

I quietly go up stairs to wash my face, brush my teeth and get dressed for the gym.

Vivian will be waking up in the next several minutes and I'm now ready to focus on getting her prepared for school. We leave around 7:30 and then I'm off to exercise.

Note: I'm insistent on making the bed immediately upon waking up however Ryan comes home from the hospital most days between midnight and 6am so I must wait until he's up.

I highly recommend this tidy task to set your day up for success!

Dress Beautifully in a Morning Routine

XOXO Sarah Louise

Joy Comes in the Morning

Good morning gals! Mornings are my absolute favorite because I like the start of things: a day, week, month, semester, year etc…

New, fresh and full of opportunity, that’s how I feel about mornings.  It’s in the morning hours that I have the most energy and my thoughts are sharp.

My Mamma says I've been a morning bird my whole life. In high school and college I would often go to bed early and wake up at a crazy hour to study.  I still don't stay up late, I'm in bed by 8.

Maybe you'd rather die than wake up before the chickens (that's my sisters) but I find that the quiet hours before anyone else is stirring (except Ethel, she gets excited when she hears me come downstairs) are a blessing to me. It's time I can spend preparing myself for the day so that I'm at my best to give to others.

Here's my morning routine:

Bible Time

I wake up at 5:00am without an alarm. I just naturally open my eyes and bounce out of bed.

I start with a glass of water and the Word. 

During the school year I work on a bible study and other times I use a devotional.

I found this book last week and have just started it.

Breakfast

I've been eating the same thing for 15 YEARS! 

Without fail I have 2 eggs over medium with black pepper 

& 1 piece of Ezekiel bread toast with just a wave of butter.

Even when I'm away from home I eat the same thing (I may add bacon at a restaurant).

Screen Time

As I continue to sip my big cup of piping hot black coffee (we grind black rifle co. beans), I sit at my computer and work on my real job, blog, catch up on emails, make to-do lists and scroll on social media. I love IG & FB but they can become a bigger priority than they should so I wait a while to open them.  I also don't like to be on technology in front of Vivian. 

Chores

I keep my house tidy throughout the day but every morning I unload the dishwasher and occasionally I'll fold a load of laundry or straighten the play room. I want Vivian to see the work that goes into keeping up a home but often it's just easier to be productive without her.

Bird & Show Watch

Our sunroom is my favorite room! As I'm waiting for Vivian to wake up around 7:00, I sit and watch the birds and if I'm in a loving mood I'll hold Ethel. 

Since I don't stay up for the sun to go down, I'll often watch tv shows in the morning.

I'm looking forward to mornings watching the sunrise at the beach this Summer!

I encourage you to establish a morning routine that sets you up to conquer the day with gusto! 

Dress Beautifully in the Morning

XOXO Sarah-Louise