I used to roll out of bed and start working immediately. Now I have 30 minutes of peace with my coffee and a book before the world wakes up. Here’s how I made mornings something to look forward to, even as a busy 9-to-5 woman who’s definitely not perfect at this.
For years, I had zero morning routine. I’d wake up, grab my laptop, and dive straight into work. My stomach was constantly upset from skipping breakfast and chugging coffee on an empty stomach. I felt scattered and reactive from the moment I opened my eyes. Everything changed when I switched jobs and realized I could get organized better and choose how to start my day. Now I have a good morning routine that feels sustainable, not like some Pinterest fantasy. It’s simple: feed my cats, eat breakfast, make coffee, read for 30 minutes, do my skincare, and head to work.
What Is a Morning Routine?
A morning routine doesn’t have to be waking up at 4 AM or doing yoga in perfect lighting. It’s about creating a sequence of activities that make you feel grounded before the day pulls you in different directions.
My routine is good because it’s built around what I genuinely enjoy, not what looks good on social media. I love the early morning silence, the ritual of making coffee, and having uninterrupted time with a good book. I realized I was too tired to read in the evening, but I missed books, so I wanted to include reading in my morning routine. Your routine should also center around what brings you joy, not what you think you should be doing.
My Morning Routine (The Real Version)
Here’s what my mornings look like:
Summer Schedule (6:00 AM wake-up)
When the sun comes up early, I naturally wake up earlier too – this is my ideal routine when I have the most energy and time.
- 6:00 – Feed the cats (they don’t let me sleep past this anyway)
- 6:05 – Make breakfast: boiled eggs with chopped vegetables, or yogurt, or a quick salad
- 6:15 – Brew coffee and settle in with my book
- 6:45 – Skincare routine in the bathroom
- 7:00 – Get dressed and ready for work
- 7:30-8:00 – Leave for the office
Winter Reality Check (7:00 AM wake-up)
Winter mornings are harder. It’s dark until 7 AM, and leaving my warm bed feels impossible. I push my wake-up time to 7:00 and make sure I’m in bed by 10:00 PM to get enough sleep. Sometimes I have to shorten my reading time or pack breakfast to eat at the office when I’m running late.
The key is being flexible. My non-negotiables are feeding the cats, having some breakfast, and drinking my coffee at home. Everything else can be adjusted.
How to Create a Good Morning Routine
I learned these three things that make the difference between a routine you abandon after a week and a good morning routine you look forward to:
Start With What You Already Do
Don’t try to overhaul everything at once. I already drank coffee every morning, so I built my routine around that. Learning how to build a morning routine means starting with what you already do naturally. If you’re already checking your phone first thing, maybe read the news with your coffee instead of scrolling social media.
Focus on What Brings You Joy
My 30 minutes of reading time is what I look forward to most. I alternate between fiction and self-help or psychology books so I don’t get bored with one type. When I fall off track (which happens all the time), I can’t wait for the next morning just to have that peaceful time back.
Make It Seasonal
Accept that your routine will change. In summer, I naturally wake up around 6 AM or earlier because of the light. Winter requires more intention, going to bed earlier, accepting a later wake-up time, and being okay with shorter routines on tough days.
My Morning Skincare Routine (5 Minutes Max)
I keep my morning skincare routine simple because I’m usually ready to start my day after reading:
- Wash my face with lukewarm water
- Vichy Mineral 89 serum (this stuff is amazing for hydration)
- Bioderma face cream from their pink line for sensitive skin
- Bioderma SPF every single day
- Quick makeup if I’m going to the office: Balea CC cream from DM, bronzer, lip balm and I’m done
The whole routine takes maybe 5 minutes. I used to think I needed 15 different products, but keeping it simple means I do it consistently.
Morning Routine Ideas for Busy Women
If you’re wondering how to fit a routine into your packed schedule, here are realistic options based on how much time you can actually spare. Whether you want a productive morning routine or something more relaxed, the key is matching it to your energy and schedule.
The 15-Minute Version
- Make coffee/tea while getting dressed
- Eat something simple (yogurt, banana, toast)
- 5 minutes of something just for you (reading, journaling, stretching)
The 30-Minute Version (My Sweet Spot)
This daily morning routine gives you enough time to feel grounded without rushing:
- Simple breakfast at home
- Coffee with a book, podcast, or music
- Basic skincare routine
- Pack lunch or prep for the day
The 45-Minute Version
For those mornings when you want something closer to that girl morning routine aesthetic:
- All of the above plus:
- Light stretching or movement
- More elaborate healthy morning routine with fresh ingredients
- Planning or journaling time
What I Learned From Listening to Mel Robbins
I listen to Mel Robbins’ podcast on my way to work, and she’s had so many guests who’ve made me rethink my approach to routines and food. The Mel Robbins morning routine philosophy about taking action before your brain talks you out of it really resonates with winter mornings when staying in bed feels so much easier.
One thing that stuck with me is how small changes compound. My morning routine started with just eating breakfast at home instead of grabbing something on the way. That led to making coffee at home, which led to sitting down to drink it, which led to reading while I drank it. Each small step made the next one feel natural.
Morning Routine Checklist for Real Life
This isn’t a rigid list — just a simple routine you can adjust depending on how you’re feeling or what your day looks like.
Non-Negotiables:
- Something to eat (even if it’s simple)
- Coffee or tea at home
- 5-10 minutes of something peaceful
When You Have More Time:
- 20-30 minutes of reading, journaling, or music
- Basic skincare routine
- Prep something for later in the day
Flex Options:
- Pack breakfast to-go if running late
- Shorten reading time when needed
- Adjust wake-up time seasonally
Handling the Off Days
I fall off track constantly, especially in winter or during stressful weeks. When this happens, I remind myself it’s fine and focus on looking forward to the next morning. On really tough mornings, I do the absolute minimum: feed the cats, grab a coffee, maybe eat something on the way to work. The routine is there to support me, not stress me out.
What I’d Tell Someone Overwhelmed by Perfect Routines
Forget the 5 AM wake-ups and the perfectly arranged breakfast bowls you see online. Start with tiny things that bring you joy. Maybe it’s drinking your coffee from a mug you love instead of a to-go cup. Maybe it’s playing one song you like while getting ready.
My routine works because it’s built around my real life as a 9-to-5 woman who loves reading, needs breakfast for stomach issues, and has cats who act as natural alarm clocks. Your routine should fit your life, not some idealized aesthetic morning routine you see on social media.
The goal isn’t to have the most impressive morning routine. It’s to start your day feeling a little more like yourself instead of immediately reactive to everything around you. Those 30 minutes of silence with my book and coffee set the tone for my entire day, and a good morning routine doesn’t have to be complicated to work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are the questions I get most often from friends who want to start their own morning routine but aren’t sure where to begin.
Mine is about 45 minutes in summer, 30 minutes in winter when I’m rushing more. Start with 10-15 minutes and see how it feels. Consistency matters more than length.
I learned this from my mom, who’s a natural early bird, but you don’t have to love mornings to benefit from a routine. Focus on making the first 15 minutes of your day calmer, whatever time that happens to be.
I don’t always stick to it, and that’s okay. When I fall off track, I just look forward to getting back to it the next day. The routine is there to support me, not become another thing to stress about.
All the time. If I’m running late, I’ll pack breakfast to eat at work or shorten my reading time. The key is identifying what parts make you feel most centered and protecting those when possible.
