The Best Ways to Make the Most of Your Morning

I am all about a good morning routine. Mine changes every few months, but finding something that really works for me ensures that I’m set up for success for the rest of the day. I would prefer to wake up an hour earlier to make sure I had a calming morning that made me feel good about what was to come than get an hour more of sleep but feel stressed from the get-go. I swear by a good morning and Maxie is here to share how to make the most of yours.

The Best Ways to Make the Most of Your Morning

Guest post by Maxie McCoy

The first line of my book is, “It matters how things start.” Because it does. Whether it’s the beginning of a year, the beginning of a show, the beginning of a relationship, the beginning of a job (or even a book), how it begins should be carefully considered. It doesn’t mean how it starts can tell you how it ends, but beginnings mean something.

Your day should be no different.

Each day we get a blank slate – another opportunity to start a 24-hour cycle that will repeat itself to build the experiences of our life. And we shouldn’t take that for granted. One way we can be more intentional with how productive, and present, and fulfilled our day feels is by taking care of how our morning starts. Do we rush around, feeling stressed, before we’re even out the door? Do we look at our phones the second our eyelids open and immediately become filled with anxiety or worry?

I’ve had weeks… months even… where the answer to that was YES. But now, thanks to some intentionally set morning rituals and a lot of trial and error, I’ve found ways that can start my morning with clear energy and hopeful focus. Not every morning is perfect. And not every day is bliss. But these are some little choices you can make in the morning that will help you make the most of your day (and please, if you have any other ideas share with us in the comments!)

Tell someone you love them. Whether you shoot a note off to your parents or say hello to the partner in bed with you, sharing your love first thing will bring more love to all the other parts of your day.

Spend a few minutes in quiet reflection. If you have a meditation practice like Carly, do that. If you want to journal, do that. If you want to sit quietly and take 10 deep breaths, that works, too. Before your day gets crazy, give yourself a moment of calm.

Write your top 3 priorities. What three things have to get done by the time you get back into bed? List them. Your to-do list is always much longer than that but knowing what must happen will focus the rest of your day.

Say thank you. For something. Or someone. The best way to bring more of what you want is to honor and thank it for already existing in your life. It takes less than 30 seconds to think, pray, or journal a note of thanks. Whatever fits for you. And I promise there’ll be a bit of a smile across your face when you do.

Quit snoozing. Seriously. It messes with your brain chemistry for the rest of your day. Don’t do it. Just get out of bed when you said you wanted to, and you’ll find yourself feeling more energized and productive.

Fuel your mind with positivity. Whether you’re driving to class, taking the train to work, or simply working out, use the morning to bring good vibes into your psyche. Maybe leave the murder mystery podcast for later in the day. Or the news for the evening. Your morning is the place to get into the mindset that you’d ideally like to stay for the rest of the day.

These little morning rituals don’t have to all be done every day. Pick one or two that works for you and try it. How you start your morning is important, and little choices can make a huge impact for making the most of your entire day.

To read more about Maxie’s favorite rituals, check out her book You’re Not Lost.