Your Guide to More Elegant Mornings (and the Secret tip to make it happen)
This post contains affiliate links and ads. Affiliate links and ads support my work at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your ongoing support!Do you dream of slow, calm mornings that set a positive and productive tone for the rest of your day? I do, too, which is why I’ve been so fixated on discovering how to embrace elegance in my morning routine. The truth is, the reality of the morning rush is often emphasized by yelling, feeling frazzled and rushed before the work of the day even begins. As a mom of three, I’ve been there, but over the years I’ve fined-tuned our rhythms and have discovered what works and why the benefits make it worth the work.
So if you want to make your dreams of a calm, efficient and joyful morning become a reality, keep reading.
Today I’m sharing the secret tip to make it happen, so that you can enjoy more elegant mornings!
The secret tip to making your mornings more elegant is not:
Waking up at 5am (I’ve tried it and I have a love/hate relationship with it!)
Adding more things to your morning routine (I’ve done them all)
Removing responsibilities (school, work, etc aren’t going away, although that would be nice!)
The secret tip to making your morning more elegant lies in thoughtful preparation the night before.
Taking care of a few simple tasks before you turn in for the night will free you up in the morning and set you up for an efficient, and dare I say even more joyful morning. It will create space for the things that set you up for success, whatever that might be for you.
By taking a few intentional steps the night before, you can transform your mornings into a serene and graceful experience that aligns with your desire to lead a more intentional and elegant life.
The Ultimate Guide to More Elegant Mornings
WHY PREPARATION MATTERS: Preparing the night before allows you to enter the new day with clarity and a sense of calm. Taking care of a few daily tasks the night before will reduce stress, enhance productivity, and grant you the luxury of enjoying your morning routine rather than racing through it.
Here are some essential tips to help you focus on what you can prepare ahead of time in order to create more elegant mornings for yourself:
REVIEW YOUR PLANS FOR THE NEXT DAY: Before you tuck yourself in for the night, take a moment to review your plans for the next day. This could include meetings, appointments, special events, or your children’s activities. Take a moment to consider your to-do list and highlight one priority to focus on. Feeling overwhelmed? Grab a notebook and brain dump for just five minutes. It will help clear your mind so it can rest overnight. Knowing what to expect will not only help you mentally prepare but will also alleviate the mental load.
PREP AND PACK: Spend a few minutes the night before packing lunches for yourself and family, if needed. Without the morning time crunch, you will be more likely to choose more nutritious options that will fuel you throughout the day. Prepping for the next day is an excellent option for habit stacking. As dinner is the oven or cooking on the stove, use that time to prep lunches and/or snacks for the next day. By the time dinner is done, you’ll have one more thing off your to-do list. Lunches are not the only thing to think about — make sure to check and repack backpacks, work bags, gym bags and sports bags so they’re ready to grab & go on your way out the door. Other things to think about: charge laptops, pack up library books and sign forms to be returned. Having these essentials ready to go will prevent you from scrambling in the morning and elevate your sense of order.
PROGRAM YOUR COFFEE MAKER: The aroma of freshly brewed coffee is the quintessential start to the perfect morning… at least in my mind it is, anyway! I have found that programming my coffee maker the night before makes a HUGE difference in the way my morning goes. For some reason, programming the coffee to turn on in the morning makes it feel like someone else made the coffee for me. While it would be great to have a butler, I’m sure, for now I’ll thank my past self who was looking out for me the night before. This is another “habit stack” I’ve created: After I clean up dinner, I program the coffee for the next day. It takes less than two minutes but completely changes the feel of my mornings. Maybe you could try this, too!
LAY OUT YOUR OUTFIT: Choose your outfit for the next day and lay it out the night before. This was something that really helped me when I was working in a corporate office. Trying to look pulled together while getting an infant ready to be dropped off at day care is a lot! Whether you are in an office, working from home, staying home with your children or a mix of all three, consider the activities of the day and select an outfit that will make you feel comfortable and confident. This simple step will save you precious time and eliminate the stress of deciding (Decision fatigue? We don’t know her!) what to wear while you’re still half-asleep.
CREATE A CALMING NIGHTTIME RITUAL: To prepare your mind for a graceful morning, establish a calming nighttime ritual. This could involve reading a few pages of a book, practicing gentle stretches, or enjoying a warm cup of herbal tea. Personally, I love spritzing my pillow with Osea Vagus Nerve Pillow Mist and falling asleep to one of my favorite Calm Sleep Stories. Taking time to unwind and reflect can help you transition to a peaceful state, setting you up for a more energized start to your day.
SET A CONSISTENT SLEEP SCHEDULE: There’s a lot you want to do and need to get done, but the thing is, it just won’t happen if you’re not getting enough sleep! Honor your body and mind by setting a consistent sleep schedule. While the amount of sleep YOU need is unique to you, it is generally recommended to aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. A well-rested body and mind is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and will help you to wake up feeling refreshed and ready to embrace the day ahead.
By incorporating these tips into your nightly routine, you’ll create a ripple effect that enhances your morning experience. Imagine waking up feeling calm, collected, and in control, instead of rushed and stressed. After all, an elegant woman is many things — but rushed is NOT one of them!
While enjoying the luxury of more elegant mornings might be your ultimate goal, there are so many additional benefits you will experience by creating space for a serene start:
INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY: With a clear mind and organized plan, you’ll tackle your tasks with greater efficiency.
ENHANCED FOCUS: A stress-free morning allows you to concentrate on your priority task without distraction.
ELEVATED MOOD: Beginning your day with elegance sets a positive tone, helping you to maintain a joyful attitude. Bonus Tip: consider lighting a subtly scented candle and playing classical music throughout your morning to create a more elegant atmosphere to greet the day.
MORE TIME FOR SELF-CARE: By taking care of necessary tasks the evening before, you’ll free up time in your morning to focus on the rituals that help you feel at your best. Whether that’s time for prayer, reflection, a gratitude practice, workout, or simply enjoying a hot cup of coffee in peace, you’ll now have the time and space to begin the day in the way that feels best for YOU! What could be more elegant than that?
Creating more elegant mornings is not just about the physical preparations; it’s about cultivating a mindset that values intentionality and beauty in your daily life.
By taking simple steps the night before, you lay the foundation for a day filled with grace and purpose.
Use this guide to transform your mornings into a reflection of the elegant, intentional life you aspire to lead!
What does your ideal morning look like? Leave a comment below and let’s inspire each other to embrace an elegant start to each day!
