Weekdays look about the same day to day. I keep the same routine as long as my body is feeling good. Are there mornings when I wake up that I may be a bit tired? Yes. Are there mornings where maybe my body feels sore? Yes. I know when I need to sleep more or when I need to take a break from my usual early morning routine. Mornings are indeed the time of day when I feel most accomplished. If I can successfully tackle my morning list, the rest of the day usually falls into place.
I start my morning by waking up at 4 am. Sometimes, I wake up anytime between 4-5 am, depending on whether I work at the hospital closest to our house. 4 am is usually my sweet spot, though. I get up and have coffee as I prepare for my workout. I workout for about 1 – 1 1/2 hours. I like to ride the peloton and strength train. Currently, I enjoy doing full-body strength workouts. Each morning, I am grateful for my health and that I can wake up to exercise.
After my workout, I get lunches ready. I usually prep some of this the night before, though. I jump in the shower and get ready for work. As I get myself ready, the kids wake up and get ready for school. They are at the age where they can fix themselves a small breakfast. We all finish preparing at about the same time, and then it’s off to school and work. I am typically on the road driving before 7 am to get to work. Most days, my morning commute is about 45 minutes. There are days when I work closer to home and only have about a 15-minute commute. City traffic is no joke most days. I am fortunate to work a schedule to avoid heavy traffic hours. Don’t get me wrong, I still sit in traffic.
A majority of my work days are spent behind the computer. So, my morning routine and my morning drive allow me time to think freely and not have to focus on anything. I genuinely cherish the mornings. It can be challenging to wake up earlier each morning, but it is worth a try. Even if it is to have a cup of coffee in a quiet space or just 5 minutes earlier to think about everything, you are grateful for in your life. As a mom, this has been important for my mental space. I take that time to pour myself into others the rest of the day. It feels good to drive home from work and focus on family time without wanting to do something of my own. For me, getting my time in the morning gets rid of any mom guilt that I might carry as a working mom.