This post is sponsored by Jimmy Dean, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
There’s nothing better than starting off the day on the right foot, and after lots of trial and error, I’ve found a few things that always brighten up my morning. Being a busy work-from-home mom has its fair share of challenges, but the morning usually sets the tone for the entire day.
During the past four years of running a blog as a business, it’s been extremely hard at times to balance the stay-at-home mom duties and the work-from-home mom duties. I used to feel like I was running around like a chicken with its head cut off, but lately, I finally feel like I’ve found a good groove. Better late than never, I guess! With Charlotte starting kinder in the fall and Colin starting Mother’s Day Out, I know I’ll long for the days of them being home all day with me, which has really put things in perspective for me. I’ve really been more conscious of how I spend my time during the day and have learned to let go of the things I cannot change and to take things in stride. I do what I can do when I can do it, and I feel like that has been my mantra this past year.
I’ve also found that making small changes add up to big results, so here are my tips and tricks for a more productive morning to brighten up your day. I try to do these things every day I can.
ONE. Wake up an hour earlier.
For me, waking up before my kids makes the day so much better because I can squeeze in some me-time. I set my alarm an hour earlier than my kids’ normal wake time, and I take my time to getting out of bed and get dressed for the day. For some, you could do stretches or squeeze in a short workout, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.
TWO. Plan out your outfit the night before.
With that extra hour, I can get ready at my leisure, and what makes it even better is if I already have my outfit picked out for the day. It takes about 5 extra minutes at night to get one picked out and ready to go. When you work from home, you can get lazy and stay in your pajamas all day. I’ve found that for me, it’s super hard to get motivated if I’m in my pajamas. Dress the part, even if it’s a full makeup and an athleisure outfit kind of day. As long as you feel put together, your day will too.
THREE. Do not check your phone or email until after breakfast.
This one has probably been the hardest for me, but it makes the biggest difference! When I grab my phone first thing when I wake up, I usually scroll mindlessly for 30 minutes on Instagram or Facebook, check emails, and then the kids wake up, and I’m scrambling to get up and get my day started. Don’t do it! Don’t get stuck in this trap. If you have to leave your phone in the kitchen, do it. Use an old school alarm clock, and don’t touch your phone until after breakfast. I promise it will make all the difference.
FOUR. Read or listen to a podcast while eating breakfast.
Then comes breakfast. I have been loving super easy breakfast meals, like Jimmy Dean Simple Scrambles®. I turn on a podcast on my Alexa or pull out a book I’ve been reading and read a chapter. Game changer! If you’re a mom, you know how crucial an extra 10 minutes to yourself is, and filling your cup with good words is so refreshing to start your day.
FIVE. Tidy up and go over your to-do list.
Last thing to do to really brighten your morning is to tidy up and get ready to tackle your number one item on your to-do list for the day. Do a quick five-minute pickup of the house or throw a load of laundry in the washer. I usually run my dishwasher at night, so unloading it first thing in the morning is a big help. Then I look over my to-do list for the day, and prioritize which one needs to happen first. By this time, my kids have woken up, and it’s game on.
A fresh start, fueled up with good food and me-time, is the perfect way to start the day!
Our new, favorite breakfast!
Once my kids wake up, you know what I love? Making them a super easy but delicious and wholesome breakfast. You know what else I love? Making something that’s not going to make a complete mess. I am so excited about these new Jimmy Dean Simple Scrambles, and my kids absolutely love them as much as I do.
They’re the best breakfast for someone with a busy morning, and they’re perfect to take on-the-go. I would have loved this back in my teaching days, too! Super tasty, super easy. They consist of two real eggs, cheese, sausage and bacon. All you have to do is pour in the eggs (provided in the cup), stick it in the microwave, and enjoy! With no clean up, they are a mother’s dream (or any busy person’s)!
You can find them at your local Walmart in the refrigerated section, right next to the bacon. You can also use Walmart’s Grocery Pick-Up for extra convenience.
How do you love to start your day?
