guide to: loving your mornings

Today is the start of a new week and a new month and I couldn't be more relieved. March was nicknamed "Messy March" by me and my girls, and it feels so good to start a new month, which I've already nicknamed "Awesome April." I have positivity, strength, happiness and goal-setting on my mind.

"Treat every new month like a mini New Year's Celebration."

One of my New Year's resolutions was to learn how to enjoy my mornings. I am the first person to admit I am not a morning person. I use and abuse my snooze button on the reg. The first few months this year, I had a hard time committing to getting up earlier AND waking up in a good mood. But now that the sun is out early, I'm getting up earlier too and learning how to love my mornings. I'm trying the start of April as another chance to set goals and resolutions (just like New Year's) and I hope you do too.

1. Grocery shop for a killer breakfast you're excited about.

Getting out of bed is so much easier for me when I'm excited about the breakfast I'm going to make. When I shop for the week, I splurge on my breakfast items like Vital Farm's Pasture Raised eggs and Oatly oat milk because I love feeling great about the quality of the food I'm eating for my first meal. I love making omelets with sun-dried tomatoes and Parmesan cheese, with a homemade honey and oat milk latte from my super affordable and easy to use Mr. Coffee espresso maker from Target. When I wake up with visions of my yummy breakfast, it makes it so much easier to hop out of bed with the first alarm.

2. buy an alarm clock and move your phone away from your bed.

You've heard this one hundreds (if not thousands) of times, but I am living proof that it works. Move your phone away from your bed and buy that damn alarm clock! In January, I bought an old school alarm clock and set it up next to my bed. I moved my phone's charging station across the room to a spot where I have to physically get out of bed to look at my phone. Every night, I set my alarm and then set my phone to "Do Not Disturb." This has exceptionally improved my sleep quality and my ability to get out of bed only snoozing once... ok twice... 

3. Light Your Favorite Candle.

I learned this trick from my savoir and queen, Olivia Culpo. I love waking up and lighting my favorite candle of the moment. I love the soft light the flame gives off and find that my favorite scent can totally set my mood right. Lately, I've been lighting a favorite from TJ Maxx (also available here) Lemongrass and Coconut Milk by DW Candles. 

4. Turn on your favorite show or music.

I love getting out of bed and flipping on the Today Show while I make my latte and breakfast. It puts my mind at ease and somehow reminds me to focus on the moment I'm in. There's no point worrying about the meetings I have later that day, or the event I have to go to later that night because it will only ruin your day. Watching (or listening) to something that makes you feel good is a great way to start your day off on the right note. 

5. Make a To-Do List.

I love making to-do lists for the day, especially on the weekends. I find that writing down the tasks I want to accomplish for the day, clears the clutter from my brain and makes room for productive thinking. I have truly found that I can't get anything done unless it's on a to-do list, and nothing feels better for me than checking off the boxes when I've completed my task. 

6. Change up your commute.

I walk to work everyday and tend to stay on the same mindless path. At the beginning of the year, I decided to switch up my walking route 1-2 times a week and have learned that it puts me in a great mood. I love seeing different people, different buildings and even walking up and down different elevations. Working a 9-5 office job can feel very monotonous and this is one easy way to add some spice into your routine. 

What do you do to make your mornings more enjoyable? Let me know in the comments!