How to Create a New Morning Routine

Not to be confused with "how to be a morning person" - I will never be able to help you with that.

I am not, nor have I ever been, nor will I ever be a morning person. I hate getting out of bed, I hit snooze multiple times, I'm grumpy, I'm lazy and I'm unmotivated. I decided to commit to a new morning routine and while I don't always stick to it, I've been a lot better at mornings and I've even sometimes looked forward to getting out of bed since implementing it. These are the steps I take/the habits I've added.

1. Set Your Alarm 15 Mins Early

"The most successful CEO billionaire productive rich better-than-you people never hit snooze." Ok, cool, I don't care. Nothing can stop me from hitting the snooze button - not even the hypothetical millions, not scientific evidence, not having to get somewhere on time. If you're a "spring out of bed and feel amazing" type of person, slay for you, I wish it was possible for me but it isn't. So why fight it? I'm always going to succumb to "just a few more minutes" so I've decided it's better to plan for it than for the first thing I do when I wake up is feel guilty for breaking the rules or worried I'm going to be late because I'm too comfy. If you set your alarm earlier than you need to, you get to spend those 15 minutes being conscious of how comfy and snuggly you are and you get to ease yourself into the day.

2. A Yummy Morning Drink

Morning queen, Monday-lover and fashion PR girlie Imi Gibbon says she goes to sleep every night excited for her morning coffee and although I don't think about it as far in advance as that, when I'm lying in bed, my duvet feels the comfiest it's ever felt and I've hit snooze three times, thinking about that scrumptious first sip of my oat latte often gives me the motivation I need to peel back my pink sheets and head to the Nespresso machine (Imi will have an oat cappuccino though). So whether it's a coffee, matcha, a smoothie or freshly squeezed orange juice, make sure you have a yummy morning beverage that you can look forward to drinking and it might just inspire you to get out of bed.

3. Ice Roller

This is such a great way to wake yourself up in the morning, get your blood flowing and feel invigorated. It feels SO good, refreshing and energising - it's like a deep breath of fresh air for your face. It helps depuff and promotes circulation too. This is just another habit I've popped into my morning routine that helps me look forward to it - one of my favourite steps!

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4. The 5-Minute Journal

Pictured here with the aforementioned morning coffee, this is my favourite part of my morning. I'd wanted to get into journaling and while I'd written a few pages when I felt like I needed to, it was hard to make it a habit. Having the purpose-built book and the pre-written prompts makes it so much easier to stay consistent and I don't think it's a coincidence that since using it, I've been more productive and found myself going to the gym more. Discount code: MOLLY

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5. A Workout

This is one I'm guilty of putting off until later in the day, but unfortunately, it's true that exercising is an amazing way to start your day. If you begin to build it into your daily morning routine, going to the gym will eventually become a habit and you'll start to crave the endorphins. Getting my workout in early means that by the time I sit down at my desk to work, I already feel accomplished. If you don't have time or really cba for a proper workout, take yourself on a quick hot girl walk to get some steps in and get your body moving.

Or Book a Class

Whilst I always love the endorphins after a workout at the gym, the concept alone isn't always enough to get me out of bed. However, what if you had someone holding you accountable? And not a friend that you can text "morning queen I cba I'm really sorry" when you wake up and realise you don't want to go. If you book and pay for a class, you HAVE to go or you've just wasted your money - it's the perfect incentive.

Because I'm the best person ever, you can use my link to get a 2-week free trial of Class Pass with 20 extra credits! It's such a great app, I've tried a spin class (never again) and loads of reformer pilates classes with such generous discounts!

class pass

You can put all of these in an order that suits you, maybe you don't like drinking coffee on an empty stomach or you prefer exercising in the evening.

6. Breakfast is the Most Important Meal of the Day

But you already knew that. Food is my favourite part of the day so if I have a yummy breakfast, my morning is automatically a good one. Make sure to build time into your routine to eat something yummy and nourish your body to give you energy for the day. If like me, you love cooking and find it therapeutic, then making breakfast is like starting your day by doing a fun activity. I love eggs, avocado toast, smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels, some kind of chocolate cereal and I'm the queen of breakfast sandwiches but I save those for weekends.

7. A Slay Shower

I say slay because, well, slay. But also it does need to be a slay shower, not just any shower. Firstly, we need some music to get us in the mood to slay the day - Pink by Lizzo from the Barbie movie is perfect. While the water gets to the perfect temperature, I recommend dry brushing before you hop in to get the blood flowing. Then it's all in the products and the vibes - we're talking squirty shower foam, a big pink loofa, soap and scrubs that your skin loves, and if you're washing your hair - shampoo and conditioner that smell amazing and make your hair feel even better, maybe even a scalp massager! Even if you don't have lots of fancy products, look at your shower as a fun occasion of self-love and invigoration rather than a chore to get out of the way.

8. Skincare

Taking a few minutes of self-care time in the morning is an important act of self-love. They don't have to be super expensive products, but washing your face and applying a serum, eye cream and moisturiser means you're prioritising yourself before you get to work plus it feels good and makes you even more beautiful than you already are!

My Ideal Morning Routine:

If I manage to complete all the steps then this is what it should look like.

1. 15-minute snooze

2. Hydrate + take medication

3. Make coffee (and take an aesthetic pic of coffee for my Instagram story)

4. Ice roller + drink coffee

5. Journal + continue drinking coffee

6. Workout at the gym or a class (hot girl walk listening to a podcast on the way)

7. Breakfast - I feel like this should go after showering etc... but I'm hungry and excited

8. Shower

9. Get dressed into a comfy work-from-home outfit

10. Skincare (+ makeup if I'm leaving the flat)

Then it's time to start work feeling awake, accomplished, energised and fresh - slay!