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If you’re anything like me, getting out of the house on time can be a STRUGGLE. Check out my top tips to streamline your morning routine.
1. Stop hitting that snooze button! I know it’s tough, and I’m [very] guilty too, but research shows that hitting the snooze button too many times isn’t good for you! Instead of hitting the snooze button 5 times *cough, cough, like me, *cough, cough*, try going to sleep 30-60 minutes earlier the night before. Also, there’s a lot to be said about having the conscious thought that you will wake up on time -seriously! Try getting a louder alarm clock, or placing it further from your bed if this is really a problem.
2. Pack your breakfast/lunch the night before. I work in a hospital, so there is always a cafeteria available if I forget or don’t have time to pack my lunch. But the downside of that is that I’m spending no less than $7 per day on lunch alone! (not so nice to the wallet). I’ve found that if I pack my food the night before, and my lunch box is just a “grab and go” in the morning, it’s much quicker than trying to pack it in the mornings. I eat both breakfast and lunch at work, so I pack it all the night before. Also, its SO easy to pack your lunch when you’re putting away leftover dinner from the night before! (I love these glass tupperware dishes from Amazon – Because I’m weird about microwaves and plastic…)
This also applies to coffee prep – I don’t function well without my cup of coffee in the morning, but plan for a quick (K-) cup, or set the timer on the coffee pot the night before so you’re ready to pour and go in the AM!
3. Pick out your outfits for the week or the night before. OK ladies, we’re generally indecisive. (Unless you wear a uniform) How many mornings have you gone in your closet to look at a mountain of clothes and ended up with the rationale “I have nothing to wear!”. YES you do! Mornings are the WORST time to try and make decisions like this, especially if you’re trying to hurry out the door early-morning! So to streamline your morning routine, my solution is to put together outfits for the next day, if not for the entire week, prior to the morning. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not always super on top of this one, with the exception of doing it at least the night before. And sometimes I do change my mind, but If I’m really struggling, I at least have several outfit options I’ve already paired together to choose from vs going into a closet with too many decisions to make.
4. Have a plan for any ongoing morning activities (dogs, kiddos, other pets, etc). First and foremost I would like to announce that I am not a mama- I have no idea what the hustle is like getting the family out the door in the morning – especially for school! You mamas really do have super powers! However, I am a dog mom, and I have a husband who travels a lot… I get it’s not the same, but they still require my time in the morning too, and I have to plan for it! Usually the hubs & I have a very brief pow-wow in the evening about who will handle the dog duties in the AM. This really adds an extra 20-30 minutes to my morning routine, so if you have something like this in your life, it seems pretty obvious, but be prepared!
5. Traffic you say? Well, plan ahead for that time commitment or leave earlier in the morning. My commute without traffic is about 15 minutes. And I know that my commute with traffic (between 7:45-9:00 am) so my goal is to plan to leave my house before hitting that 7:45 am rush. Trial a few routes, different timelines, etc, on your morning commute, and you will learn the best schedule to avoid traffic!
Ultimately, there may still be something standing in your way of getting to work early / on time / or even only a few minutes late. For example, you do everything right, and there is a car accident on the interstate, or you have everything planned, and then a kid or a pet gets sick. Allow yourself a little grace, and hopefully your supervisor will also! But following these simple tips can help you get out the door on time!
What other strategies do you guys use to get out the door on time?? Especially interested in feedback from any hard-working mamas out there!