Do you find your morning routine to be chaotic and stressful? Does it feel like even the simple task of getting yourself ready and out the door takes far longer than it should?
Don’t underestimate the effects that a bad night sleep can have on decision making. Or how slow a pre-caffeinated brain can work, making the simplest of tasks feel overwhelming. And being stressed from the moment you wake up is not a great way to start the day.
Then get yourself ready the night before!
There are so many things you can get ready ahead of time to help you make less decisions in the morning.
Outfits for work, the gym, school uniforms or sports uniforms are a great example. Rushing around trying to find things in the morning can waste a lot of time. Have a look at the weather forecast for the following day and then choose what will be appropriate – Will it be warm enough for a skirt? Do the kids need to take a hat? Will it be cold enough for a jacket? Will I need an umbrella if there’s a chance of rain?
Packing your lunch and a water bottle is a great way to save money. Leftover dinner always makes a great lunch the next day or planning what you need for a week’s worth of lunches is an even better idea. Writing a list before you grocery shop will ensure that you have all the ingredients at hand to make food prep easy.
Deciding what meal you will prepare for dinner means you can get food from the freezer the night before to defrost in the fridge – plus check that you have all the necessary ingredients to make the meal. There is nothing worse than getting home from a busy day to be facing only frozen meat with no inspiration on what to do with it… which probably means you will order takeaway, a big money waster.
Get your bag packed the night before is a great idea too. Does your gym bag have everything you need? Are the kids school bags ready for school or after school activities? Does your handbag need loose change for parking and most importantly, are your car keys ready for you to leave at a moment’s notice? Looking for lost car keys is the biggest time waster!!
Be realistic.
For this routine to work effectively, you will still need to give yourself plenty of time in the morning to get ready. It’s better to have 15 minutes of spare time in the morning than be running 15 minutes late (for the rest of the day!)
If, like me, you like to push the snooze button on the alarm clock, then make sure you give yourself that little bit of time to do so.
If your mornings are still chaotic then ask yourself whether you can do more the night before or do less things in the morning?
As well as getting a good night’s sleep, starting each day in a calm and stress-free way is far more productive.
See you next time!
Mei x
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