Think about it for a minute: Once your baby is awake, they’re all about mama.
Whether for your ability to make breakfast, change diapers, or give lots of snuggles, you’re in high demand once those little heads pop off their pillows and feet touch the ground.
But when you first wake up, you’re not quite poised and ready for action. You have to take care of business (i.e. pee, brush your teeth, and actually start thinking coherent thoughts) before you can really start to function like a human being. But such business tends to turn hungry babies into supremely cranky babies. And cranky babies plus a tired mama usually equals a cranky mama. And that is no way to start your day!
However, simply setting your alarm for 30 or even 15 minutes earlier has the power to completely transform your day. You will be happier, more efficient, and get more done each day. Your personal morning time will center you and set you up for your whole day.
Bare Minimum - Even Try Waking Up 15 Minutes Earlier
Mama, I know waking up is tough sometimes….or all the time. Especially when you’re up with a baby or a sick child. If that’s the case, then just shoot for 15 minutes before your kids wake up and see how you feel.
Here’s what you should do:
Get dressed
Brush teeth
Set your intentions for the day (e.g. set daily priorities, plan, schedule, pray, journal etc.)
This will get you mentally and physically prepared to start your day before anyone needs something from you. And it will give you a bit of time to be by yourself.
Ready for a bit more? Try an hour earlier.
So, now that you’re awake, and your kids are still asleep, what do you do?
Waking up before your kids and starting your day by giving yourself a whoIe hour to yourself will truly change your life. I’ve found that how you start your day more often than not determines the quality of everything that follows.
Spending an hour taking care of yourself will set you up to be the mom you strive to be. And you will get more done everyday! If you can spend an hour before your babies are up taking care of yourself, you will be happier, healthier and more fulfilled. And your whole family will reap the benefits.
Make your bed: Start your day with an accomplishment.
Get dressed: Once you’re out of your pajamas and dressed, you feel ready to take on the day.
Exercise: Getting your workout done first thing will give you a blast of endorphins, energy, and a serious sense of accomplishment. Don’t let it hang over your head all day!
Determine your daily priorities: This could be writing lists, planning, making a schedule, journaling, meditating..whatever gets you centered and focused for the day.
Read something uplifting: This could be parenting books, self-help books, scripture, etc.
Spend time/effort on your personal goals: Part of achieving your goals means making time for them. Spending even a little bit every morning will get you closer to achieving your goals than any sporadic and massive effort.
The ONE THING you should absolutely NOT do first thing in the morning: Stay away from your phone and any social media. Nothing else will take away your time away faster than “just checking” something. Think of this time as sacred and essential for your well-being. Guard it ferociously.
Your Morning Transformation
Here’s what happens when you start your day in solitude and preparing yourself for your day:
You start the day with incredible momentum and can accomplish more;
You’re happier and totally ready for the chaos once your babies are up; and
You start achieving your goals faster because you are actually making time every single day to get there.
I’m not exaggerating when I say that waking up before Nate does has changed my whole life. It has played a big part in pushing me and helping me achieve my goals.
My mornings are a sacred alone time that I get during the day. That time prepares me to relish my days of chaos, snuggles, and challenges. And I get so much more done that I seriously feel like I have actually more hours in the day.
With Love | Nikki xo