Reclaim Your Mornings: How to Make Time for Yourself Before the Day Takes Over

Mornings are chaotic. As soon as the alarm sounds, the mental checklist begins, and any hope for personal time quickly disappears.

We asked our audience if they feel like they have enough time for themselves in the morning before other responsibilities (getting kids ready for school, starting the laundry, taking the dog for a walk, responding to urgent emails, etc) kick in, and almost half of women said their mornings are completely taken over by responsibilities. Another 23 percent said they get a little time, but not as much as they’d like. When asked what they do for themselves first thing, most said they make a cup of coffee.

Pouring the first cup of joe is definitely a comforting ritual, but you deserve more than a caffeine-fueled pause before the day takes off. If your mornings feel like they’re over before they’ve even started, take note of these actionable ways to reclaim your time, slow your pace, and start the day on your own terms.

How to create a routine you enjoy in the morning

Your morning routine sets the tone for your entire day. The key to better mornings isn’t waking up at dawn or packing in more productivity, it’s making small, intentional changes that bring more ease, joy, and energy to your start.

Make your mornings more efficient with nightly prep 

Prepping the night before can save you time and reduce stress when you wake up. Here are a few simple ways to set yourself up for a calmer, more efficient morning:

• Pick out your outfit the night before. Having your outfit ready to go can help eliminate decision fatigue in the morning. Even if you work from home, setting out a cozy loungewear set can keep you from staying in pajamas all day. If you need inspiration for corporate or remote work attire, follow people whose style you like on Instagram or Pinterest to make planning easier and more fun.

• Prep meals ahead of time. Cooking breakfast, scrambling to think of your office lunch, and packing your kid’s lunchbox can be a timesuck. Meal prepping food the night before frees up precious time in the morning and ensures you’re fueling your body well.

• Pack your work bag. Have everything you need (laptop, charger, water bottle, headphones, etc) ready by the door so you’re not rushing to find essentials as you head out.

• Wrap up your workday with a to-do list. Jot down tomorrow’s top priorities at the end of your current workday. That way, you can jump right in with a clear plan and skip the morning brain fog.

• Tidy up for 10 minutes. A quick evening reset, like loading the dishwasher, wiping the counters, or putting away clutter, can make your space feel fresher in the morning.

• Wind down with intention. A consistent bedtime routine (even just 15–30 minutes of reading, stretching, or quiet time) can help you sleep better and wake up more energized.

Read more: Dreading the Workweek? This Regular Practice Can Help You Overcome Sunday Scaries

Consistently prioritize three small things for yourself

Mornings are often packed with things we do for others—partners, kids, coworkers, and even pets. Challenge yourself to reclaim one of those moments. Can you answer that email later?  Can someone else feed the dog? Trade that time for something you want to do: read a page of a book, listen to your favorite song, or simply sit in silence.

We tend to go on autopilot in the morning, equating that time with productivity instead of presence. Try pausing to ask: What would help me feel more grounded right now? Is it movement, music, stillness, or sipping from your favorite mug? When you consistently prioritize two or three small things that bring you peace, those moments build a meaningful routine over time that feels both nourishing and uniquely yours.

One respondent shared, “I have coffee while catching up on the news online. I reply to messages from friends who have contacted me overnight. I take my time getting ready for work so I don't feel rushed. I also like to listen to audiobooks on my hour-long commute.” Another said, “I make my cup of coffee and go on the back porch where it's private, and I spend time with nature and let my dog play. I usually start playing my favorite game on my phone. Then I go to my room and do my meditation for an hour.”

These routines stand out not because they’re elaborate, but because they’re personal and unrushed. They reflect small, consistent choices to start the day on their own terms. If you need some ideas to spark your own, try weaving in two or three of these rituals:

• Get out of bed as soon as your alarm goes off 

• Drink a full glass of water (try adding some mint or lemon to make it more fun)

• Recite positive affirmations as you take your vitamins or medications

• Do your skincare while listening to a podcast (hands-free = less doomscrolling)

• Stretch or move your body next to a window with a view

• Do a quick brain teaser or puzzle

• Listen to your Spotify Daylist

• Water your plants

• Make the bed while burning some incense

• Read a chapter of a book

• Work on a hobby for 5-10 minutes

• Make a nutritious breakfast 

• Sit outside, close your eyes, and take some deep breaths

• Write a journal entry

• Light a candle or use essential oils

Read more: 15 Tiny Ways to Make Time for Yourself During the Day

3 tips for finding a routine you love

1. Theme your mornings to give each day a little personality. Pair a fun activity with each day of the week to diversify your routine and give you something to look forward to. For example:

2. Let go of “shoulds” and do what actually makes you happy. You don’t need a 10-step wellness routine or a 6 a.m. wake-up to feel good. If you hate working out in the morning, skip it. If watching 15 minutes of your favorite comfort show while you get ready brings you joy, embrace it. Your routine should energize you, not exhaust you. Don’t let social media define what a good morning looks like for you.

3. Make the boring things better by pairing them with something you enjoy. Habit-stacking is an efficient way to make your least favorite tasks more bearable. Don’t love stretching? Put on a calming YouTube video in the background while you do it. Dread unloading the dishwasher? Listen to a playlist that makes you smile while you put dishes away. A little motivation goes a long way.

How to audit your morning routine

The routines we stick to strictly are often ones we’ve never intentionally chosen. Auditing your morning can help you understand how it makes you feel and how well it supports your needs, values, and goals.

Start by writing down your full morning routine as it is now. Include everything, from the first thing you do when you wake up to the moment you officially start your work day. Then, go deeper. For each part of your routine, ask:

To help guide your reflection, consider these questions:

• What are the first three things I do each morning, and how do they make me feel?

• Which parts of my morning feel rushed, stressful, or draining?

• What am I doing out of true necessity, and what am I doing out of habit or obligation?

• Am I prioritizing other people’s needs before I’ve checked in with myself?

• Is there a task I dread every morning? Can it be moved, outsourced, or reframed?

• What time do I actually need to be awake to feel calm, not rushed?

• What’s one thing I wish I had more time for in the morning?

• What’s one thing I enjoy about my current morning routine?

• When was the last time I had a peaceful morning? What made it feel that way?

• What would a “good” morning look like to me—not Pinterest or Instagram, but me?

Once you’ve answered these, highlight one to two elements of your routine you want to keep, one to two you’d like to shift or let go of, and one to two small things you’d love to add, even if it’s just sipping your coffee more slowly. Treat the audit as a starting point. Your ideal morning doesn’t have to be aesthetic, productive, or impressive. It just has to feel good to you.

Read more: How to Turn Down the Noise & Actually Get Work Done