Mornings are hard. For some of us, they’re extra hard because they insist on happening every single day. And, frankly, most of the morning routine advice out there are designed for 20-somethings who wake up looking fresh, are child-free, and are generally unfazed by gravity.
Midlife mornings? Entirely different ball game. We’re talking hot flashes, stiff joints, and a general disbelief that it’s already time to get out of bed. So, let’s talk about morning routines that actually work for us – ones that don’t require a three-hour block and the energy levels of a Labrador puppy.
The morning routine Instagram wants you to believe
- Wake up naturally at 5am, refreshed because you’re just so zen.
- Meditate for 120 minutes, glowing like you’ve been kissed by a forest nymph.
- Brew artisanal coffee and sip it mindfully while writing heartfelt affirmations in a leather-bound journal.
- Spend an hour doing yoga poses that double as acrobatics.
- Prepare a balanced, Pinterest-worthy breakfast with organic ingredients from your garden.
Reality check: by this point, most of us are still in bed, scrolling through emails, and wondering if we can get away with a second snooze button hit.
A morning routine for … you know … real women
Start with 10 minutes just for you
Before life gets loud, take 10 minutes to do something that grounds you. Whether it’s sipping coffee in silence, stretching on your mat, or flipping through memes, the key is intentional me-time.
Drink water before anything else
Hydration is an underrated form of self-care. Keep a glass of water on your bedside table so you can hydrate before your brain has time to argue about it.
Move, but keep it simple
Forget marathon workouts. Stretch, do a quick yoga flow, or walk the dog. The goal is to wake up your body, not qualify for the Olympics.
Eat something you enjoy
Whether it’s smashed avocado or a humble slice of toast with butter, pick something that satisfies you. Life’s too short for sad breakfasts.
Set one intention for the day
Instead of overwhelming yourself with a to-do list, choose one thing you really want to accomplish. Write it down or say it out loud – whatever feels right.
Why this works
This morning routine doesn’t demand perfection. It’s flexible enough to fit into your life but structured enough to set a positive tone for your day. Plus, it doesn’t require a wardrobe of yoga pants or a personal chef – just a willingness to show up for yourself.
The “anti-routine” morning routine
On those days when you’re just not feeling routiney – when you wake up with the energy of a deflated balloon, and the thought of “being productive” feels personally offensive – the best you can do is just survive the morning chaos. And that’s okay.
Enter: the anti-routine morning routine. This one’s for the days when your bed is too comfortable, your motivation is on strike, and all you really want is to coast until lunch. No judgment – just vibes.
- Hit snooze three times.
- Roll out of bed and throw on last night’s sweatpants.
- Check your phone for an hour, fall down a TikTok rabbit hole, and forget what day it is.
- Drink a lukewarm coffee while mentally arguing with your to-do list.
- Rush out the door or to your home office, already behind but definitely frazzled.
As I said, no judgement here; we’ve all had mornings like this.
Final thoughts
Some mornings, you’ll crush it. Other mornings, the anti-routine will win, and that’s okay too. Progress isn’t about being perfect; it’s about showing up more often than not.
Here’s to mornings that feel good, not perfect. Give it a try, tweak it to suit your needs, and remember: if you’re up, hydrated, and moderately functional by 9 am, you’re already winning.
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