My 7 Morning Non-Negotiables
Mornings: You either love them or hate them. Personally, I’ve grown to love them over the years. I wouldn’t consider myself a morning person, per se, but when I wake up early and have a productive start to the day, it’s hard not to feel a bit satisfied. Why don’t I do this every day? I think, on the good days where everything goes right. And on the days where mornings feel chaotic and everything seems to “not go according to plan,” I think, Mornings aren’t all they’re cracked up to be.
However, whether it’s a good morning or not, these are my seven morning non-negotiables.
{ONE} Water before coffee.
It’s true, it’s true. I am now “forced” to do this every morning to take my daily thyroid medicine. I’m instructed to drink a glass of water and wait at least 30 minutes before eating or drinking anything else. Believe me, some mornings, I am counting down the minutes until I can have my coffee! But this small habit is definitely better for my health and helps me start the day a bit more hydrated.
{TWO} Make the bed.
I cannot stand when the bed isn’t made, so every morning (even on weekends), I make the bed. It is one easy way to feel accomplished and helps keep our bedroom feel clean and calming.
{THREE} Avoid scrolling.
I try to avoid my phone for as long as possible in the mornings. In the past, when I’ve woken up and immediately opened social media apps, it made me feel discouraged and edgy. Most days, I try not to look at social media apps until I’ve been awake for a few hours and have had time to settle into the day.
{FOUR} Do one easy chore.
Whether it’s emptying the dishwasher, making the bed, or straightening up from the night before, I do at least one easy chore every morning. Chores never seem to end, so I’ve found lightening the load with an easy win each morning helps keep our space in order.
{FIVE} Let the light in.
I love natural light and it helps our space feel bright and happy when the sun is pouring is. Regardless of the weather, I always open the blinds to let the light in.
{SIX} Make a to-do list.
You probably could have guessed this one! I always make a to-do list in the morning. It helps me gather my thoughts and seeing everything written down helps me feel better mentally. It’s not as overwhelming when you can see everything written down instead of floating around in your head.
{SEVEN} Time with Jesus.
Admittedly, some days are more in-depth than others, but I always set aside “Jesus time.” Each day looks a bit different, but in the mornings, I’ll read my devotions, pray, write in my prayer journal, or listen to worship music.