Wednesday, October 8, 2014

8 TIPS: Becoming an Early Bird

SIDE NOTE: If you're looking for a good tank top or work out gear...Costco never disappoints! Love how long they make them too.


One of my goals in life is to become a morning person. I remember awhile ago, my dad used to take me to high school on his way to work around 7:30 in the morning. I was a dead beat. My dad would laugh sometimes because I would only nod or say one word responses (which if you know me, a one-word response is VERY odd). I was a zombie, and I felt like one. I hated being awake at the butt crack of dawn and would only dream about going back to bed. That's all I would think about. Oh and anyone that was happy in the morning I probably could've slapped. I hate to admit it, but I was that bad.

Then... I had a baby.

A few things change in your life when you have a kid, but this one was a big one for me. No matter what time my little goes to bed, the second 7AM hits we are all up for the day. And this is actually pretty good. It used to be 4AM and has slowly moved to 7AM (hallelujah).

So, the past few weeks instead of complaining that it's early, I've tried to look for ways to LOVE the mornings. Granted, this is me BECOMING an early bird. I'm still working on it. But here are my tips and tricks that have helped me so far:


1. ACCEPT THAT IT'S EARLY: Yes. It's something I have to actually think about every day and accept it. It's early but I'm healthy, the sun is shining, and it's gonna be a good day! (repeat)


2. WAKE UP BEFORE YOUR KIDS: This doesn't always happen at our house, but I have noticed when I wake up first I feel more prepared for the day instead of having a baby as my alarm clock. Even if it's just a few minutes before they wake up, I feel like I have a jump start.


3. READ AND PRAY: I read the scriptures (find out more HERE) and pray in the morning. Sometimes it's a quick moment, but I find it totally steers my day to a more joyful and productive one if I put that first.


4. EAT: Self explanatory.


5. PUT ON YOUR TENNIS SHOES: K. I know this sounds dumb, but have you ever bought a pair of brand new tennis shoes and you all of a sudden got the urge to run? That run maybe only lasted a day (probably once around the block for me) but it still is a little motivation right? We usually go for walks in the morning and I feel like JUST putting on my tennis shoes is the farthest thing from thinking about going back to bed. It helps. Don't knock it til you try it;)


6. GET OUTSIDE: Whether it's burning hot or freezing cold, bundle up and get outside! This one is HUGE for becoming a morning person because you realize that the world is awake and there's nothin like a good sunrise. Even if you only make it to your front porch. Get. Outside. It's so good for all of us to get fresh air and there is something empowering about getting outside and moving the body that God gave you!


7. MOVE: This ties into #6.  I used to hate working out in the morning. I still hate working out in the morning. Breaking a sweat is easier for me to do at night than in the morning. But I still find it helpful to just move. Whether it be a walk in the canyon, or a walk around your house. Just move. This helps me a ton to NOT want to go back to bed.


8. SING: I've found that the happiest people sing! (I mean really... have you ever seen a grumpy person sing? ha!) So whether you can carry a note or not, sing. Outloud. Find music that moves you. Sometimes when I'm taking my baby for a walk down a street that isn't very busy I just plug in my headphones and I sing out loud to him. People may or may not have passed and think I'm completely crazy, but for us... we've had a great morning and maybe made someone else's day with a good hit (or ruined it... but either way)


All of these (including the obvious of showering and getting ready for the day) I've found to be helpful so far on my road to becoming an early bird.


What are some of your tricks to help you love mornings?


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31 comments:

  1. I'm naturally a morning person, but having a routine has really helped me. Just giving myself 5-10 extra minutes before talking or seeing people to have my coffee and brush my teeth gets me going. I also make sure to get dressed after eating and having coffee so that I am more motivated to do something instead of just sitting around yawning.

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  2. I am really not a morning person and it takes me so long to get functioning that I don't know if I could do all these things. I wish I could get up before my son but he's a half 5, 6 o' clock kind of person :)

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  3. I'm a morning person but purely because my toddler loves to get up early! I try to get up before she does and then read for a minute before I wash my face and brush my teeth--it doesn't make everything better, but it does help ease the transition! :)

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  4. These are great tips but I just don't think I'm meant to be a morning bird!

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  5. I have always been a morning person, and it definitely helps to have a routine to be as productive as possible. Good tip on the Costco work out gear!

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  6. Haha, this post ties in perfectly with the shirt I'm wearing in my post today ;) it says "i'm not a morning person", because I'm totally not. I wish I was though!

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  7. I'm not a morning person, but mornings are my most treasured time of day. Mornings are MY time. Before the boys wake up and after my husband leaves for work I make my cup of tea, sit in the sunroom, and have my quiet time. It's a great start to my day!

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  8. Im not a morning person at all but what I find starts my day right is putting on music immediately. If music is on, I automatically want to sing along and dance. It's my top trick.

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  9. I'm not really a morning person but I'm working on it. This past Sunday I got up early and made coffee before going to a long hot yoga class. After the class I got SO much done all before noon and it felt really good.

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  10. I've TRIED. I'm in my 30's and I don't think I will ever get used to being a morning person. Some days: doable. Most: not lol

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  11. I loving being up early if I have something to do outside of the house. If not... No thank you.

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  12. These are fabulous tips! If you prepare, you can do anything! <3

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  13. Yeah, I was never a morning person either - I used to have to set my alarm to make it to 11am church- seriously. In high school I used to sleep in my sports bra and sweats and literally roll out of bed at 5:55 to make it to 6:00am seminary (I'm Mormon too- from Texas :) But kids changed me.... grudgingly and slowly. But I try to get up before them to get some scripture and prayer and quiet time to myself- I agree- it makes SUCH a difference!

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  14. This feels impossible to me! I HATE mornings! But these are really great tips! I have a baby on the way, so I figure I might as well not bother with this until I'm actually getting some kind of normal sleep, but maybe I will become a morning person later on! :)

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  15. I go back and forth! I sometimes loving getting up early in the morning and feel so productive afterward, but there are those days when I absolutely dread getting out of bed!

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  16. LOVE these tips! I'm having a baby in January and definitely need to prepare myself!

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  17. These are fab tips! I find that because I have to be at work at 9am, (I get up at 7.15) I really struggle to get up. Possibly because of what I'm getting up for. If my heads not in it, I cba to be honest!

    If I ever get to work from home, I'll put your tips to the test!

    Katie <3

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  18. Getting up before the kids really makes all the difference in the world for me... even if it's only long enough to start my coffee, brush my teeth, and pick out my clothes for the day - starting it without someone crying or asking for something is a delight.

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  19. These are all great tips. I can never get past #1 though, :( LOL

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  20. I'm not a morning person and I will never be. I have tried it. Can do it for a while and then I get sick and my body demands its rest. I just sleep the best during the morning hours.

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  21. I am not a morning person - I wish I was though! I think my days would start out a lot smoother!

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  22. These are all great tips on how to be an early bird. I love the signing one!

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  23. Love everything about this post. Change your thoughts and you'll change your life. I find that when we strive to seek the positive in any situation God blesses us with a special peace. I am not a morning person by nature like yourself so I find similar ways to get the grump and sleepiness out of my eyes. For example I love morning prayers/ reading scriptures, jamming my Jesus jams and just loving on the family God blessed me with. My baby will be 2 next month and yes no joke life is completely different in every beautiful possible way.

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  24. Waking up before everyone else in our house has so many benefits! I love that solo time alone and to start the day not in chaos :) Great tips!

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  25. I've found that I love the morning when I have nowhere I have to be (like work). On the weekday I'm pushing myself to get out of bed but on the weekend I am up early and I love the morning! I'm the first one to brunch and I love that morning cup of coffee. There's a feeling the morning gives that's just so new and energetic, like I can't wait for my day to start!

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  26. I'm naturally a morning person, which helped me loads when my son was born because my son even more of a morning than I am. These are great tips for people who might struggle with mornings :-)

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  27. I would so love to be morning person. I definitely see just how much more productive I am when I get up even an hour earlier. I think one of the things that work for me is if I do some blogging in the morning before the rest of the house is awake. If there are emails to be responded, I am able to get into the morning spirit a little quicker. But, don't get me wrong, once I am up, I am full of life.

    Thrifting Diva
    www.thriftingdiva.com

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  28. #8 is a good idea! I've never thought of doing that, but I imagine it'd help. There are a couple songs I'd like to teach myself anyway! It'll be like a two in one deal! :D

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  29. I totally agree with #8. I also find it helps my mood enormously. Definitely advice to consider.

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  30. such great and encouraging ideas! can I add coffee to this? :) such a great outlook of the morning days- beautiful mama you go!

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    1. Thanks so much for your sweet comment! I feel like I wrote this post when I was such a newbie so your comment made my day! Love following you on instagram... your pictures are amazing! Xo

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