The 3 Things I Do Every Morning—Even When Life Is Messy

When I first started waking up just 30 minutes earlier, I had no idea how much that little window of time would change everything. Over time, those 30 minutes turned into an hour… then sometimes two. But this didn’t happen overnight—it was years of slowly refining a morning routine that worked for me, in my real life, with kids, responsibilities, and unpredictability.

As a mom, routines have to be flexible. Some mornings I’d wake up at 5 a.m. like planned and go through my full routine. Other days, one of my kids would be sick, or I’d be up all night and 5 a.m. was simply not happening. There were mornings where my little one would wake up early and just want to cuddle—and there’s no way I was going to miss that. So I had to ask myself: what’s the minimum I can do to still start my day with intention?

That’s how I figured out my three non-negotiables. These are the things I try to do every single morning, no matter how tired, rushed, or thrown off I feel. Because even when everything else falls apart—these three things help me start from a place of calm and control.

First, I brush my teeth—and I use my non-dominant hand.

I got this idea from Mel Robbins and her “High Five Habit.” She talks about brushing your teeth with your opposite hand to wake up your brain and break out of autopilot. I tried it, and honestly? It works. It makes me more aware. It’s a weird little trick, but it helps me start my day feeling present and intentional.

Second, I make my bed.

Yes, I know—this one sounds basic. But making my bed every morning is one of the fastest ways I feel accomplished, even on days when everything else feels messy. There’s even a book called Make Your Bed, and for good reason. I’ve been doing it for so long now that it actually feels wrong to leave my room without doing it. It’s simple, it’s quick, and it’s grounding.

Third, I drink 16 oz of water.

After learning how dehydrated we get overnight—especially as we age—I made it a habit to drink water before anything else. But I knew I had to make it easy. So I started prepping my water the night before. I measure out 16 oz, leave it on my desk or by my sink, and that’s it. I even leave my probiotics right next to it now, so I can knock both things out with zero effort. That’s habit stacking in action.

These might seem like small things—and they are—but they’ve become mine. They are the anchors that remind me: before I show up as a mom, a wife, or a Senior Manager… I get to show up as me.

And that changed everything.

This morning time, even if it’s short, became sacred. It was how I learned to put myself first, even for just a few minutes. And it was the beginning of learning how to create a life I actually love.