Unlock Your Best Self: The College Morning Routine That Changed Everything

During my end of month digital organization session today, I discovered this long lost blog article I wrote during my freshman year of college. This was the start of a chapter that changed my life, made me the optimistic human that I am & altered the way I viewed productivity forever. Change is so gradual. Think about how far you've come to become this version of you that you are today. My mornings today look like an amplified version of this. Here's your reminder to start making time for the things that fuel you, no matter how busy your days are.

"I used to be the person who slept in every day until at least 12pm. I'd wake up, do a few things and it'd be dark. I'd stay up late but I am absolutely NOT the "productive past 8pm" type. After beginning my fitness journey, I wanted to incorporate the healthy habit of waking up early but I just couldn't find it in myself to get out of bed, no matter how early I went to bed.

"I thrive off of routine. It doesn't bore me. It doesn't feel like a chore. It fuels me. (Nerdy, I know!). In order to change my wakeup time, I knew I needed to make it a routine. I dragged myself out of bed every day at 6am and headed straight to the gym. This went on for couple weeks, just long enough to make it a habit.

As much as I loved the gym, I started to hit snooze because why did it matter when I went to the gym? Sure, I felt so accomplished and had the best workouts before 8am, but I had lost motivation. I needed something else to drag my butt out of bed, especially on my rest days.

How was it so easy to wakeup on Christmas morning, when I'm about to catch an early train to visit my boyfriend, or when you smell bacon cooking? It's the excitement. I needed to have something exciting planned when the gym just wasn't enough.

I moved in with my boyfriend this September in a new house, in a new city, in a new program at a new school. I was so ecstatic for my fresh new start and wanted it to mark the beginning of not only the happiest, but the healthiest I've ever been. That is when I began to develop my morning routine. The trick to a regimen that makes you leap out of bed at the sound of your alarm is to switch it up and for it to serve a purpose. When something doesn't give me excitement, motivation, and joy (especially at 6am), I don't do it. Here's a sample of my current morning routine that allows me to enjoy the part of my day before early morning classes or the rest of the world awakens. It keeps me grounded, mindful, and happy. After all, I do love my me time.

1. Get out of bed with my alarm.

The longer I hit snooze, the sleepier I get until I eventually turn it off. I aim to wakeup every day between 5:45 to 7, depending on my schedule for the day. I choose this time because it allows me at least an hour of relax time before I start my busy busy day. Waking up around the same time everyday makes me feel more alert and energetic though the day. Without a bit of time in the morning to gather my thoughts and enjoy it, I feel much more rushed throughout my day.

2. Light a candle, listen to some music and get ready.

Get dressed, wash my face, brush my teeth, hair, makeup. That order. Every. Day.

I am a creature of habit. I can't change that, but I can enjoy my little ritual by adding some pleasant sounds and smells to the mix.

3. Drink 500ml of water and take my vitamins/supplements.

Nothing feels better than accomplishing some healthy priorities right away. Although I eat a balanced, healthy diet, I always feel more energized and nourished with a little help from some supplements. Right now I am taking:

- A prebiotic (#guthealth)

- Magnesium for mental clarity and it helps keep my headaches at bay

- Glutamine for my constantly sore growing muscles

- A scoop of greens (usually in apple juice cuz ew) because as much as I try, I just can never eat enough veggies

- A multivitamin

- Pre-workout or coffee because it's EARLY and I am no supernatural being

4. Let my beautiful fur baby outside and feed her.

#dogmom

5. Write out my to-do list and plan my meals.

I feel so very organized after this step. I write my priorities and once they're on paper, I always make sure I complete them. I plan my meals so; a) I can get something out of the freezer for supper, b) I can pack snacks for school accordingly, and c) I can try to stick to healthy choices.

6. Write a gratitude list.

This is my most recent addition to the list. The happiness this cute journal gives me makes this step so exciting every morning. The journal I have is from Indigo, however you can do this step with regular pen and paper. Each morning write three things you're grateful for. Try to switch it up from the usual "my family", "my boyfriend", "my dog" and write something more specific and unique to you. Doing this every morning completely shifts my perspective and starts me off in a happy, optimistic mood, reminding me life is exactly how you make it and mine is HECKING GREAT.

7. Do something active.

I have 8am class every Monday-Wednesday. On these days I leave for the gym at 6:40. I always have the best workouts in the morning and the school gym is always quiet (win-win). I like to get it done and have the rest of my day dedicated to studying and spending time with my boyfriend and our husky (sometimes taking some time for hobbies).

On days that I don't go to the gym I'll start my mornings with some yoga, stretching, walking the dog, going on a hike or anything to get my blood pumping. Exercise releases happy chemicals in your brain. Starting my day off happy is a huuuuge indicator of how happy my day will be.

Some things I squeeze in if I have time:

- Meditation (good for the soul)

- Hot lemon water (good for the organs)

- Reading (either a self improvement book or something else great)

- Some sort of art (good for the creative side)

- Tidy up (if I was lazy the night before)

- Listen to a podcast or watch something educational (good for the mind)"