have a happier morning
This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see the terms page.
ome people might consider the phrase “happy morning” an oxymoron, but it is possible! Getting out of bed is the HARDEST thing for me (especially now as the weather cools off and my piles of blankets are so comfy and cozy) but when my alarm goes off, I have to get up and out the door. Knowing that I don’t have to rush around to look for my keys or wait around for the coffee to percolate makes this a little less traumatic.
- Set up your coffeemaker the night before. Pour in the water and load up the grounds so it’s ready for you to turn in the morning and brew while you take a shower. Some people have the luck of Keurig machines or automatic timer coffee machines.. I am not one of these people (but I am very interested in something like this.)
- My ultimate morning time-saver is one I’ve been toting around since high school, and it’s been a life-changer for roommates and boyfriends ever since: brush your teeth in the shower. There are many shower caddies now that even have spots for a toothbrush like this guy from OXO (I just keep mine in a Mason jar on a shelf) or repurpose a suction cup razor holder to save some cash.
- If you’re running desperately behind (think that “oh-my-gosh-my-alarm-didn’t-go-off-and-now-the-sun-is-up” feeling,) dry shampoo is an absolute lifesaver. My must-have is Fekkai Blowout Hair Refresher Dry Shampoo
. It’s light, feels great on my hair, doesn’t leave the white powdery mist some other shampoos do, and has a nice scent. It is a little pricey (I got my bottle as part of Target’s Beauty Box,) but for more affordable options that work just as well, try Batiste
(the original dry shampoo) or Suave.
- In the same vein, if you’ve overslept by that long, you might not even have time to jump in the shower. Face and body wipes are great for this – I’ve used ShowerPill
for quick wipe downs after races and even at festivals when there are no showers to be had. Makeup remover wipes help cleanse your face (I use Simple Facial Wipes
and keep them by my bed to scrub off the day before I go to sleep) and get you all primed to take on the day.
- I used to really like setting my outfit out on my bed in the morning before I showered, and while I would still like to do that, it’s just not a timesaver because you’re still rooting around in the closet in the morning. Instead, I created a hanging outfit organizer: every night I hang up all the parts I need for my outfit, from pants to undies to accessories. (My shoes always live by the door, thought.) That way this landing zone is all I need to get out the door quickly!
- Another tip from my high school days: have a stash of “reserve outfits” ready to go. I have two or three outfits that aren’t favorites, but will do in a pinch if I’m low on laundry or can’t find something else. I keep them hung together so I can grab them in a rush if I didn’t get around to setting things out the night before.
- Now that you’re showered, dressed, and have your cup of coffee to-go, running late is no excuse to skimp on breakfast. Batch make some frozen breakfast burritos to warm up and eat on your commute, or find another on-the-go food: I like to make fiber muffins and nom on them during the drive. (And if you’re like me and refuse to give up the autumn ghost, make up a batch of my favorite pumpkin muffins!)