Happy Mornings

Alright this can be hard one for a lot of individuals. Have you ever just hit snooze way to many times in the morning, gone back to bed, but then immediately feel jolted by a small child or an animal if that's your thing?

When this happens to me I feel my entire morning starting off horribly, because let's be honest nobody wants to get spooked when waking up. I rush to get dressed, I barely have time to brush my teeth because all I hear is "momma, momma, momma, MOMMA!" I feel the need to put aside my own self care/well being for the sake of my four kids who are all so hyped up on some sort of morning energy that I clearly haven't gathered myself. I frantically get them dressed and respond to their needs as efficiently as possible so they'll calm the heck down. We pass step one of the day, now let's head downstairs where we conquer even more. It's breakfast time and now all 4 kids want different things to eat, all 4 kids want different colored plates, etc. it's a process if you're catching on. All fine and dandy but this mom is still not all there yet. (Did I mention I forgot to start the coffee? That's in there somewhere too.) By now it's been literal chaos for an hour and I am STILL trying to get on all cylinders.

I'm not telling you this to complain, I'm telling you this because I know I'm not the only one running around in baggy clothes, messy bun, non brushed teeth and quite possibly glasses still on. I'm telling you this because I have found it can be way less stressful when I start my day off on the right foot. As much as this momma LOVES sleeping in, I cannot tell you how much more I love waking up earlier than my crew.

Let's take today for example, I woke up at 6:30 AM, got on some cute comfier clothes and headed down stairs where I had some lemon water and opened the windows for that nice refreshing Minnesota morning air and light! I took a deep breath and knew this is the calm I needed. I went on a walk and enjoyed all the sounds and sights the morning had brought, which let me just say if you haven't taken an early morning walk, you totally should. Not only is it great for you, the cute little neighborhood animals are still out and it's quite a refreshing site. Once I got home I grabbed my coffee (That, might I add I started before I left for my walk, win for me!) and I went and sat outside with my book and enjoyed time to myself. These moments to myself are so precious and needed that it really guides me into the patient, fun mom and wife that I'm going to be that day.

Having that extra time is so crucial to having a good day. If you gathered anything from this, I hope it's that you'll wake up just an hour earlier than normal to go get you some solo time. However you want to spend it, it doesn't have to be how I do - I just enjoy a good walk in the morning. Another thing I've found extremely helpful is journaling or meditating. You do you boo! Whatever floats your boat. I just encourage you to take that first step, it has really helped this momma out.