Morning Routines
“I used to read about morning routines, and think, ‘that is great for kids, but I am an adult and I don’t need a routine to get ready’”
Good morning KidMin family!
My goal with this site is to serve more than just your ministry. My goal is to serve you. With that said, I also want to include tips for your life outside of ministry because I can’t tell you how many times I have been so caught up in ministry work I felt like the other plates were falling.
Today, I want to talk about something I am currently working on, morning routines. I used to read about morning routines, and think, ‘that is great for kids, but I am an adult and I don’t need a routine to get ready’. However, I am finding recently that I may have been wrong about that assumption.
I am still working on fine tuning my morning routine, but while I work out mine, I want to challenge you to join me.
Why a morning routine? Have you ever gotten up and felt like staying in your PJs and having a slow morning, only to find that you have an entirely slow day? Yeah, me too. Which is great when you are trying to have some time of rest, but it is not an ideal start to everyday. Also, we all know there are things that would make us healthier, stronger, more productive, etc. We also know that when we get busy, the ‘things’ we plan for ourselves fall apart.
I am now learning that a morning routine can help you start your day in a more effective way making, setting the rest of your day up for success. There is something about checking off those easy to dos and getting yourself ready for the day that gives you the momentum to tackle the rest of the day. Also, when you feel better, you do better. So let look at some ways to give our day the jumpstart it needs.
First, we need to decide what to do. My personal non-negotiable on this list is my quiet time (more on this soon). I don’t believe there is a better way to start the day then tea and Jesus. Everything else will depend on you, but I I have create what seems to be a good formula. If it works for you, great, if it needs some tweaking, go for it is whatever makes your morning smoother and your day better.
Quiet Time - Give Him your first and your last. I like this to be my main time in His word, but if you don’t have that time, read a short scripture, a quick devotion, or just spend time in prayer. The idea is not that you have to fit it all in, but to intentionally start the day focused on the top priority, loving your God.
Health - Drink water, go for a walk, throw on an exercise video, or just take time to breath. This is also a great spot to take your supplements if you use them
Get Ready - Even when you are staying home, there is something about being dressed and ready that helps you feel ready to conquer the day
Take care of you - This does not need to be a big production, I personally just put on under eye masks while getting ready. Another great option, listen to your favorite music or audio book (something just for fun) or lay down on a neck or back massager for a bit. Just do something to put a smile on your face.
Accomplish 1 to 2 easy home tasks - This should not be a full-blown chore, just a little something to make you feel like you accomplished something. Wipe the counter, start a load of laundry (don’t forget to move it later, no one wants stinky washer), grab the mail, prep lunch, etc.
Eat - you may be a grab a ‘smoothie on the way out’ person or a ‘fix a solid breakfast’ type, just eat something, and don’t forget to rinse the dish.
I like this formula versus a set checklist. If I am in a hurry, I can do this in 30 minutes by choosing quicker easier things in each category, but if I have the time I can spend an hour in my quiet time, go for a nice walk, and pamper myself a little bit, plus have a nice breakfast. I know most people have a consistent set of tasks, but I seem to always fail at that, because I am a I always need to do everything in every category and that just doesn’t work. So having options based on time makes me feel more successful, and allows me to stick with it.
So how do you start if you have never had a morning routine? Start slow and steady. Make a list of options of how you will spend your quiet time. Write down all the things you would like to do in your quite time. I like to think of it like a menu. I write down options, not what must be accomplished every day.
Next, gather needed supplies for your quiet time. Likely this will include a Bible, a prayer journal or basic notebook, etc. Depending on what is on your menu, you may need Bible references, an iPod, or something else. Just make sure if you might need it, it is readily available, no one wants to be hunting things down in the morning. Also, find a consistent spot for this, whether it is your back porch, closet, or dining room table. Have a spot and put your things there.
Finally set your alarm early enough to do just the quiet time. Start every morning with this quiet time for a week or two. When you are ready add your health by following the same steps, create a menu, gather supplies and pick a location, add it to your routine for 1-2 weeks before adding your next steps. In 3 months, you can create a lasting, flexible, and functional morning time. When you do, I want to know how this changes your day.
A few last tips…
If you miss a day, sleep in and rush out the door, etc. Remember you are human, and you don’t have to give up or redo everything. Remember there are 365 days in a year so you can miss your morning routine 36 times and still get it 90% of the time.
Remember each morning to do what will fit in your day, just do something. Five minutes of prayer and gratitude is better than skipping quiet time because you are in a rush. Stopping to breathe is good for your health on a crazy day and takes one minute. You can do that full cardio workout on your day off.
Communicate with your family, what you want to do, they are built in accountability, and they are more likely to give you the time and space you need to accomplish your morning routine if they know what you are doing. If you are single, consider telling a friend who can hold you accountable to your goals with a simple, text like, “how was your morning routine”, “what did you do for you this morning”, etc.
Now let’s go tackle our mornings, so we can start the day on the right foot.