The Problem with Most Morning Routines
Search for morning routines online and you'll find elaborate, multi-hour rituals that require waking at 5am, cold plunges, and hour-long meditation sessions. For most people, these routines are aspirational at best and demoralising at worst.
The best morning routine is one you'll actually do. Consistently. Even on difficult days. That means it needs to be simple, flexible, and designed around your real life circumstances.
Designing Your Minimum Viable Morning
Start by identifying the three things that make the biggest difference to how your day feels. For most people, this comes down to basic self-care, hydration, and a moment of intention-setting.
Your minimum viable morning might take just 15 minutes. That's fine. The goal isn't to fill your morning with activities; it's to create a reliable transition from sleep to wakefulness that leaves you feeling grounded.
A Flexible Framework
Hydrate, wash your face, get dressed. These basics signal to your body and mind that the day has begun.
Choose one grounding activity: a few deep breaths, journaling, reading a page, or simply sitting with your coffee mindfully.
Glance at your day ahead. Identify your top priority. Prepare anything you'll need. This creates a smooth transition into productivity.
Adapting for Different Life Stages
Parents of young children: Your morning routine might happen in 5-minute fragments between caring for little ones. That's perfectly valid. Even a single minute of intentional breathing counts.
Shift workers: Apply the same principles whenever your day begins, whether that's 6am or 6pm. The framework adapts to any schedule.
Those with chronic fatigue: On low-energy days, your routine might be simply drinking water and identifying one gentle intention. Honour where you are.
The Evening Connection
The secret to a good morning actually begins the night before. Laying out clothes, preparing your workspace, and setting a consistent bedtime all reduce morning friction. Think of your evening routine as a gift to your future morning self.
← Back to Blog"The morning sets the tone. But it doesn't have to be perfect to be powerful."