How do I even start?

"Oh my gosh, Tiffany, I love everything you do, but honestly it’s a bit intimidating and don’t even know where to start."

I hear this all the time. And honestly, I get it. I’ve been told I have a resting serious face (RBF), and my demeanor can come off as intimidating. But once you get to know me, you'll see that I genuinely just want to help. So let me answer some of the questions I get most often about the routines, manifestations, and systems I live by.

Just keep in mind: this didn’t happen overnight. I’ve been on this journey for over a decade. It’s taken years to shape these habits in a way that works for me. My hope is to share what I’ve learned so you can take what resonates and leave the rest. If even one thing I share helps you in some small way, then I’ve done my job.

I want to create a morning routine, but I have no idea where to start

Let’s keep it simple. A good morning routine is about carving out time to show up for YOU. Will it go perfectly every day? Absolutely not. Life happens. So I recommend having an A, B, and C version of your routine, allowing you to adapt without guilt.

Step 1: Decide what you want.

Don’t add something just because it’s on someone else’s list. If you had an hour to yourself each morning, what would you want to do? What won’t get done unless you do it first thing?

For me, I don’t always want to do half the things on my list, but I do them because they help me be my best self, for my kids, my job, my husband, and most importantly, for me.

Let’s say your ideal list includes:

• Exercise

• Meditation

• Journaling

• Reading for 20 minutes

• Affirmations

• Working on your side hustle

• Walking the dog(s)

• Writing

If you’ve never had a morning routine before, trying to do all of these from day one will likely set you up for failure. Instead, give yourself room to succeed.

Pick just ONE thing.

Start by waking up 20 minutes earlier and doing that one thing. Do it (mostly) every day for 30 days. That’s it. It might feel slow, but trust me, solid habits built slowly will outlast a rushed attempt at perfection.

After 30 days, add a second activity. Then another 30 days later, add a third. Keep going until you’ve found a rhythm that fits your life. If it takes eight months to build your routine, so be it. You’re making it yours.

And if the hardest part is simply waking up earlier, then start there. Even if you spend that extra time just sitting in silence, you’re taking a step in the right direction.

How I journal to manifest

Journaling doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t need a fancy notebook or elaborate prompts. Here’s a simple format I follow:

1. Write the date.

2. Create a "Grateful" section and list 3–5 things you're thankful for.

3. Create a "Made happen" section. Write your goals as if they’ve already happened.

For example:

• Instead of: "I want to save $1,000."

• Write: "I am grateful and happy that I saved $1,000."

Or:

• Instead of: "I want to exercise regularly."

• Write: "I am so proud of myself for consistently showing up and exercising 30 minutes a day, five days a week for the past six weeks."

It’s about stepping into the version of you who’s already done the thing. Want a template for this - here you go!

I want to get things done, but I always end up doing other stuff

This usually comes down to one core challenge: believing that you are worth showing up for.

When you're used to being the breadwinner, the caregiver, or the one everyone depends on, doing something just for you can feel selfish.

But here’s a reframe: whatever it is you want to do, you’re doing it for you so you can show up better for everyone else.

• That 30-minute workout? It boosts your mood so you can be more present.

• That quiet reading time? It helps lower your stress so you're more patient.

And for productivity? Time blocking has been a game-changer for me. It helps me take back control of my day. I have a post explaining how I use it, and there’s a demo on my Instagram and TikTok (check the main menu for links).

If you already understand the concept and just want a layout, I have a free version with a few formats. Or for more options, there’s a $5 version (use code WTLBBLOG20 for 20% off). It works great digitally with GoodNotes or Notability, or you can print it.

You’ve got this. Start small, show up consistently, and give yourself grace along the way.