Morning Routine for Moms Who Want to Feel Human Again

Hey, mama. Let’s talk mornings—the good, the bad, and the need to get everyone ready and out of the house with all their clothes on (or mostly on). But before you break out into hives over the visual, this is where I let you know that morning routines exist for this very reason.

If you’re still reading this, you’re probably craving a morning that feels less like a chaotic sprint and more like a peaceful stroll. Because, let’s face it, mornings set the tone for your entire day, and when you’re a mom juggling a million things, starting strong can be the difference between total catastrophe and success.

Here’s the good news: having a morning routine crafted to make your days and, subsequently, your mom life more manageable, is not impossible.

With a bit of intention (and maybe a lot of coffee), you can craft a morning routine that makes you feel human again. One that’s realistic, empowering, and actually doable. Let’s dive in.

Let’s start with a hack that’s as simple as it is powerful: visualizing your morning, like beginning with the end in mind.

This isn’t just about making a to-do list; it’s about mentally walking through your ideal morning. What would you want to do first? How do you want to feel?

Taking a few minutes before bed to answer these questions and visualize what you want for your morning can set the tone and reduce decision fatigue.

• Pair It With Your Evening Routine: While brushing your teeth or winding down just before bed, take a moment to visualize your morning.

• Focus on Feelings: Instead of listing tasks, focus on how you want to feel—calm, organized, or energized. By making your thoughts feeling-oriented rather than task-oriented, you are helping your mind to mentally prepare for whatever curveball may arise and how you want to respond to them.

Having a successful morning comprises getting everything on your list checked off and doing things that make you feel good.

Returning to ‘beginning with the end in mind’, this can be done by finding ways to celebrate small wins.

A two-minute ritual, like playing your favourite song or saying a mantra, can spark joy and bring positivity to your start.

• Create a Playlist: Pick a song that never fails to put you into a good mood and make it your morning anthem. That way, when the screams and the “MOM!” roll in, you are already hyped up off endorphins rather than tension.

• Try a Simple Mantra: Say something like, “I’m ready for whatever chaos today brings” or “I am more than enough.”

As a mom who knows all too well about running on auto-pilot to get through the many things crammed into one morning, pausing even for a moment can be the difference between feeling human and becoming the next Robocop.

Instead of jumping straight into tasks, try pausing for a moment to catch your breath and ground yourself. This pause can be as short as 60 seconds but can transform the way your day begins.

• Deep Breathing: Take five deep breaths, focusing on inhaling positivity and exhaling negativity. Allow the tension and the stress to flow away from your body.

• Grounding Exercise: Notice three things you can see, two things you can touch, and one thing you can hear.

How often have you gotten up and prepared lunch and different breakfast variations for a house full of picky eaters while forgetting you need nourishment, too?

You fuel your family and ensure they have a head start to their day, but what about you?

Creating a “Mom-Fuel” station ensures you’re just as fueled and ready to tackle the day.

• Stock It Up: Include options like coffee or tea essentials, overnight oats, protein bars, or pre-cut fruits.

• Keep It Accessible: Place it somewhere easy to grab as you prepare for the day.

Ever had your alarm go off, and the temptation to throw the device into an incinerator threatens to smother you? Enter the idea of the ‘Joy Alarm’.

Ditch the jarring buzz of a traditional alarm and wake up to something that brings you joy—a motivational message, a calming sound, or even your favourite song.

• Customize Your Alarm: Most smartphones let you set custom tones or messages.

• Experiment with Sounds: Try nature sounds or affirmations to make your day peaceful.

Start your day and to-do list with intent. Do this by having one main goal for the day that’s more mental than physical.

My favourite way of doing this is by writing my number 1 intention for the day. If the previous day had me feeling overwhelmed, my primary intention for the day would be something like ‘JUST BREATHE’.

With this visual reminder, I move forward with whatever comes that day, reminding myself that I need to breathe through it, no matter what.

When you do this, you allow yourself to focus on a single, achievable goal each day that can help you feel unstoppable.

• Write It Down: The best way to keep track of anything is to write it down. A physical reminder of this main intention can make a world of difference.

• Track It: Use a printable goal tracker to mark your progress.

Crafting a successful morning routine not only comprises going through lists and tasks but also doing it with your sanity intact.

But stringing all those words together are just that, words, until you incorporate healthy habits into the mix.

Building new habits can be seamless by attaching them to existing ones. This technique, popularized by Atomic Habits, makes forming new habits and routines more effortless and more natural.

• Examples for Moms: Drink water while the coffee brews or do squats while brushing your teeth.

• Start Small: Your plate is already full enough, so add just one habit at a time to avoid being overwhelmed.

This can seem impossible if you are a tech mom or if you depend on your phone for certain things like having a morning devotional, but there is a workaround.

If it’s impossible to completely ignore your phone in the morning, try avoiding social media or news apps that can spark anxiety or comparison traps.

Scrolling through these sites first thing can derail your focus and mood. Instead, avoiding your phone or these sites for the first 20 minutes of your morning can significantly improve your mental status.

• Use an analog alarm clock: This eliminates the temptation to check notifications if it’s possible to avoid your phone altogether.

• Replace Scrolling with Something Calming: Read a book, journal, or sip your coffee in silence.

It’s tempting to bulldoze through all your tasks and responsibilities with machine-like efficiency. Still, kids happen, and that’s not always the case.

In the same breath, it is significantly more challenging to do all the things while your tiny humans are demanding your attention and want to be everywhere you are doing all the things you’re doing.

Enter the ultimate mom life hack: Instead of trying to work around your kids, involve them. Teaching them simple morning habits lightens your load and fosters connection.

• Gratitude Moment: Share one thing you’re each thankful for as you eat breakfast.

• Mini Tasks: Let them help with simple chores like setting the table or picking out their clothes.

While structure is helpful, having a rigid schedule can make it seem like you live in a military boot camp.

Having flexibility by intentionally leaving one morning unplanned allows for spontaneity and reduces burnout.

This is also a good reminder that you don’t need to always be on the go to thrive in your motherhood.

• Use It for Rest: Sleep in or stay in pajamas longer.

• Try Something Fun: Make pancakes, dance in the kitchen, or have a lazy family cuddle session.

Building a perfect morning routine for you and your family takes time, so give yourself grace as you figure out what works.

• Start Small: Incorporate one or two new habits at a time.

• Track Your Wins: Keep a journal of what’s working and celebrate your progress.

• Be Flexible: Life happens, and some mornings will go off-script. That’s okay!

Mama, mornings may feel like you’re fighting for your life, but they don’t have to feel like a battlefield.

By creating a morning routine that’s realistic and tailored to your needs, you can start each day feeling more human, more present, and, dare I say, a little more joyful. Remember, it’s not about doing it perfectly; it’s about doing it intentionally.

What’s one thing you’re adding to your morning routine? Share it in the comments, or pin this for later!

Ready for more inspiration? Check out my post on Spring Cleaning Your Soul.