Mornings, you either love them or loathe them. Personally I'm a morning person and love a morning routine, I'm also definitely at my most productive in the morning. However I live in a household where the huz is NOT a morning person, and is a 'nightowl'. So how do you rise and 'shine' if mornings aren't your thing?

Life can feel crazy and a little bit hazy in the mornings but getting up even a few minutes before everyone else in your household can allow you to cross a few things off your 'to do' list and put you one step ahead of the game.

Move it or lose it

If you struggle to fit in a little daily exercise then make mornings yours and pound the pavement while the family snooze. Set an alarm, have your clothes and shoes laid out and just do it!

Other gentle morning routine can also include stretching, body buffing, meditation, journalling, a quick podcast and even some time on the yoga mat.

Meal times matter.

If eating breakfast is your thing then there IS time for breakfast, just get out of bed a few minutes earlier or try meal planning. If you need the energy hit but don't have time then a quality smoothie or shake might be for you.

You can rpepare bircher muesli or oats the night before, boil an egg or even chop fruit. Being prepared will mean less fuss (and mess) and more time for mindful eating.

Kids come with chaos.

Kid wrangling in the morning is a real thing, lost shoes, mismatched socks, knotty hair and arguements over homework can send mornings into meltdown, yeassss, I've been there. Preparation is vital to keeping mornings running smoothly. Make the lunches and check the homework the night before. Have good storage and organisational systems for uniforms and other clothes like socks and school jumpers. Teach the kids where everything 'lives' and to look there before asking you to turn into Sherlock hunting down their crap.

Teaching older kids to make their own lunches and introducing morning chores can lighten your load PLUS you are creating useful independant humans. I was doing daily chores, making all the school lunches, ironing uniforms and cooking evening dinners at ten! No, it's not extreme, it's life. A ten year old can bung a chook in a slow cooker and add vegies, they can also definately make their own breakfast and sweep a floor. Set some chores (now) as part of their morning routine.

Plan your outfits.

Taking some time to plan what you will wear during the week will not only give you back time in the mornings, you will also confidently face the day with less stress and more confidence.

Hang your complete outfits along with accessories on a rack or hook ready to wear. Your outfit choices can be flexible, if you wake up one day and the weather has changed or you just don't feel like wearing the planned outfit then swap it out for something suitable.

Take some time to take some time.

Sometimes early morning routine don't need to be about 'doing', sometimes it's all about 'being'. Being present,  being mindful and creating calm are a bloody good way to start the day. For some it might be watching the morning news or checking social media, others might like to let their mind wander as they water the garden and some might just on the porch with a cuppa.

Don't ever feel guilt over taking time to just do nothing, the game of life is not always measured on results.

For me I am into the woo and love a little twenty minute meditation, sometimes I set some goals or write a list of what the day will entail. I take this time to listen to a chapter of an audio book or some of a podacast. This works for me and gets the day started on a positive/productive note

Love & Kindness

Jen x