Time management tips for busy moms
Are you a busy mom struggling to manage her days?! I get it, as a busy work-from-home mom to a very active toddler boy, I can totally relate! It wasn’t long after I started working from home full-time that I knew I had to find a new routine, so I could not only focus on fitting work into my busy day but also so I could ensure I was making time for myself as well. I quickly noticed that without “me” time I was feeling anxious, stressed, and overwhelmed, and most of that had to do without having a good morning routine!
I’m a planner, organizer, and type A person at heart, so it’s no surprise that I LOVE a good morning routine. Most people dread waking up early (it’s not always easy!), but there’s just something about a hot cup of coffee, my favorite reads, and the calm, quiet house that I find SO peaceful in the morning. It’s really the only time of day I get the house to “myself”, so I really make the most of my mornings!
Here are some of my go-to tips and strategies for making the most of your time every morning:
Set an early alarm: So what does my morning routine consist of? I set my alarm for 5 am, yes, it is early, but that’s the only way I can accomplish all that I need to get done in the morning. How does one go about waking up earlier? Start by setting your alarm back 15-20 minutes earlier than you normally would, and work your way up from there. For example, if you typically wake up at 6 am, set your alarm for 5:45 am Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, and then maybe Thursday and Friday you move it back to 5:40 am. Continue with this cycle until you reach your desired alarm time.
Prayer and Meditation: Once I’m up, the first thing I do is start a pot of coffee, and then I’ll pray and meditate while I wait for it to finish. I personally prefer to use the Insight Timer app to meditate because they have SO many options, and you can sort by length and focus (for example 10 minutes of breathing for anxiety), or you can also go through some of the courses they have too! The app is free and they have over 10,000 FREE meditations as well! There are also several other meditation apps that are great including Headspace, Calm, and even youtube has a TON of options!
Affirmations: Once I’m done praying and meditating, and finally sipping on that first cup of coffee (it’s the best one of the day!), I will write out 10 affirmations and 5 things I’m grateful for in my journal. I also read a 3-page affirmation guide that my dad made for me several years ago (so so special to me!) and it never gets old. This practice really helps me get centered and focused on what goals and dreams I want to achieve while reminding myself of what I have to be thankful for NOW! It’s such a great practice and I highly recommend it to EVERYONE!
Personal Development: After I journal I’ll spend about 10-15 minutes reading from my personal development book! (some of my favorites are linked here) as well as read my daily devotional. Reading personal development books has really been life-changing for me. There is so much knowledge and wisdom out there to help improve and elevate your life, and starting your day with this type of positivity can really help keep you grounded and motivated.
Daily Devotional/Bible Study: Spending time with Jesus each morning is VERY important to me, so I always make him my focus. After I read my daily devotional and personal development, I will also dive into a bible study that I’m working on. The Daily Grace Co. is my FAVORITE place to shop for all things scripture, and they ALWAYS have amazing sales. Not to mention, they have options for every level to really meet you where you’re at in your spiritual journey.
Start work: But while I would LOVE to just spend all my time focused on what fills my cup, I do actually have to get some work done! Once I’ve finished my bible study I will start my workday! Yes, I start it early! I’ll focus on work for about an hour or so, and then I’ll take another break for ME! I know, it seems like a bit much, but is it really though? As a busy mom, it’s SO important that we do what brings us the most joy and if possible, do it first thing in the morning to get your day started off right!
Workout: So, what do I do with this next break? You guessed it, WORKOUT! My favorite type of workouts are usually more low impact, especially in the morning (I don’t have the energy for the high impact that early), so I’ll focus on yoga, barre, or pilates. I will also do some strength training here and there too depending on the day! My workouts are typically 30 minutes long with the occasional 45-minute workout here and there. Some of my favorite apps to use are Sarah Beth Yoga, Peloton, and Beachbody.
So, by now, as you can see, I’ve spent most of the morning on MYSELF! And honestly, that’s the point. I don’t get much time to myself during the day, if any, really, so waking up early and getting some quality “me time”, is crucial!
If I have any time left after I workout, I will start to get ready for the day, but usually, my little man will be waking up about this time which is usually around 7:45 am-8:00 am. And once he’s up, the day really begins! He is always my first priority and I’m so thankful I get to stay home with him every day!
I love reading about morning routines, so I hope you find this post helpful and maybe provide you that little motivation to create your OWN morning routine! Take back your mornings and you can take back your life!