How I Created a Morning Routine That Grounds Me
There was a time I woke up already behind.
The coffee pot would beep, the toddler would yell, and I’d open my eyes with a pit in my stomach, already bracing for the day before I even touched the floor.
I was showing up to work calls in survival mode, skipping breakfast, forgetting permission slips, and wondering why everything felt so... heavy. Like life was just happening at me.
That’s when I knew something had to change.
Not in some Pinterest-perfect way.
But in a “what would help me breathe today?” kind of way.
The Morning I Decided I Was Done Being Scattered
It wasn’t dramatic, even though I’ve been known to crash out epically. It was a random Tuesday. I had a day full of meetings from 9 am to 5 pm, a kid who refused to put on pants, and an inbox full of “just following up on this” emails.
But in the five quiet minutes before chaos, I asked myself:
What would it feel like to start my day on purpose?
Not perfect. Not peaceful. Just... present.
So I grabbed a journal and wrote down three things:
What needs to get done?
What can wait?
What do I need today?
That moment? It didn’t fix my whole life. But it gave me a lifeline.
I Built My Morning Routine From the Inside Out
Here’s the truth:
Most morning routines aren’t built for moms - especially not single ones juggling careers, kids, and the weight of being the only adult in the room.
I didn’t need 5 AM bootcamps or 10-step journaling. I needed something grounding and doable. Something flexible but firm. Rooted, like me.
So I built a 5-minute system I still use today and the only system I’ve been able to stick with.
Here’s what it looks like:
My 5-Minute Morning Reset (The Rooted Way)
1. Open the Planner/Journal, Not the Phone
Before checking email or scrolling, I open my planner. I write down:
One thing I have to do
One thing I want to do
One thing I’m grateful for
It anchors me. Reminds me I get to choose how I start the day , not just respond to it.
2. Quick Wins First
I do one thing that’s been nagging at me, like switching laundry or replying to a school email. It clears mental clutter fast.
3. Move My Body (Even for 3 Minutes)
Stretch. Walk outside. Dance in the kitchen while the waffles toast. It’s not about fitness. It’s about signaling to my brain that we’re here, and we’re moving forward.
4. Make the First Hour Sacred
I protect the first hour after wakeup as much as I can. No meetings, no reacting. Just morning flow: coffee, music, planner, kids, calm.
This Isn’t About Perfection. It’s About Power.
There are still mornings where everything falls apart. But now, I have something to come back to.
A rhythm. A root.
And the more I ground myself, the more I rise; not just in my business, but in how I show up for my life.
You don’t need to do more. You just need to begin on purpose.
This is your permission to make mornings yours again.
