If you hear one more influencer or productivity guru tell you to wake up at 5 AM, meditate for 30 minutes, and then drink a green smoothie while looking perfectly polished, you’re gonna lose it. And I understand!
The world doesn’t need more “perfect” routines. It needs REAL routines that align with who you actually are.
Everyone’s life is different. Some of us don’t want to wake up at 5 AM and act like we’ve already won the day by 8. Some of us need time to adjust, to feel out our mood, to connect with ourselves in a way that’s not dictated by someone else’s expectations.
I know. I know. Let me help you with that.
The Key Takeaway.
Stop trying to force morning routines that fits someone else. Your routine is YOUR tool to conquer your day, not a checklist to follow mindlessly. The key? Start with what works for you, not what Instagram told you to do.
What Are Morning Routines and Why You Need One.
Hold on, if you think morning routines are just a bunch of random activities to “fill up time,” it’s not. Morning routines are the foundation for how your entire day plays out. Your morning sets the tone for your energy levels, your focus, your creativity, and even your emotional state.
Now, what’s usually missing in those perfect morning routines is personal alignment. Sure, there’s wisdom in things like exercise and meditation, but it’s not about blindly following someone’s plans. You need to customize what works for your goals and your mindset.
Your routine should be an investment in yourself, a set of actions that aligns with how you feel, your aspirations, and the energy you want to carry through your day. In fact, I’m telling you not to follow the herd, I’m giving you the permission to break the rules and design a morning that actually works for YOU.
Why Your Routine Isn’t Working (And What You Can Do About It).
If your morning feels like a rushed, panicked mess of trying to do too much, you’re not alone. Most routines are very generic checklists, offering the same tired advice like wake up, exercise, eat, meditate, be productive. But they don’t work for everyone.
The problem is that what feels energizing for one person could feel suffocating for another. For example, I know people who wake up and immediately jump into a workout and feel on top of the world, but for me, if I try to work out before my brain’s even functioning, it will feel like torture. Or, maybe you’ve tried journaling first thing in the morning, but it feels like you’re just writing to fill space, not to get grounded.
The solution? It’s simple, personalization. Your morning needs to be tailor-made for you. And no, that doesn’t mean forcing yourself into some perfect “routine” that doesn’t speak to your soul.
How To Create Your Morning Routine.
Get Clear on Your Goal for the Morning.
What do you want to achieve by the time your morning is over? This will guide everything. Want energy? Want calm? Want creativity? Want clarity? Define your goal. Once you do, your routine will fall into place.
Find Your Rhythm.
Not everyone is an early bird, and that’s okay. If waking up at 5 AM is unrealistic for you, don’t do it. Your body has its own internal clock, you should listen to it. If you need 9 hours of sleep, give it that. If you’re a night owl, adjust your routine to start a bit later. No judgment.
Select Only the Needs.
Cut out the extra stuff. Don’t overcomplicate things with 20 activities you have to do. Pick 3-4 things that align with you and your goals. You’re looking for quality, not quantity. Try:
- For Energy: Movement is your friend, but it doesn’t have to be a full-blown workout. A quick walk, stretching, or a gentle yoga session can fire up your energy without draining you.
- For Focus: If you need clarity, start with 5 minutes of quiet meditation or mindful breathing. This one is about giving your brain some space to focus.
- For Calm: If you wake up feeling annoyed/chaotic, a grounding practice like journaling or simply writing down your thoughts can bring you back into balance.
Create a Flow, Not a Schedule.
The key to a smooth morning is flow, not a rigid, military-style schedule. Start with something you love, move to something that serves your mind or body, and ease into the day.
Test, Adapt, and Make it Yours.
The morning routine magic happens with testing. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Try a new routine for a week, and observe how you feel. Adjust as much as you need, and keep only the ones that make you feel more like a badass, not drained.
Prepare the Night Before.
Prep your clothes, make a to-do list, or arrange your breakfast ingredients the night before to avoid a chaotic start.
Again, you don’t need another generic morning routine. You need a routine that fits your rhythm, your goals, challenges, and needs. Forget that influencer’s perfect mornings. Focus on what YOU need and build it, own it, and make it your own.
