My Favorite Morning Routine Tools (Even After a Rough Night With the Kids)
I wake up at 4:45 a.m. — not because I’m a morning person, but because it’s the only time I get to myself.
By 6:30, my son is awake. By 7:15, I’m out the door if I’m headed into the office. Between prompting him to get dressed, brushing my teeth in a hurry, and mentally running through the day, my mornings could feel like total chaos.
But they don’t — at least not always — because I’ve carved out this quiet ritual that happens before the rest of the house stirs.
My routine isn’t glamorous. It’s 90% habit and 10% survival. But this little window of time gives me the emotional reset I need to meet the day with more patience, clarity, and energy — especially when parenting a neurodivergent teen.
Here are the tools I use every morning to stretch, ground, caffeinate, and recenter — even after a night of broken sleep or big feelings.
🧘♀️ 1. 10-Minute Morning Yoga
Even if my kid’s bouncing off the walls, I roll out my mat. Ten minutes of movement grounds me more than scrolling ever could.
What I use:
🧺 Fitvids Yoga Mat
🧱 Overmont Cork Yoga Blocks and Strap
💆♀️ 2. Myofascial Release for Tension
Before coffee, I roll out my shoulders, hips, or jaw (depending on where the stress lives that day). These little massage balls have saved my neck — literally.
What I use:
🔵 Massage Ball Set for Deep Tissue Release
☕ 3. Coffee That Feels Like a Ritual
It’s more than caffeine — it’s the five minutes where I get to pause. I sip slowly, breathe deeply, and give myself a moment.
What I use:
☕ Bodum French Press Coffee Maker
🌱 Organic Traditions Focus Fuel Mushroom Coffee
📓 4. Journaling + Brain Dumping
Some mornings I write gratitude and affirmations. Others, I vent. Either way, journaling clears the mental clutter so I’m not snapping over spilled cereal.
What I use:
📘 Good Days Start With Gratitude Journal
🖊️ Smooth Writing Gel Pens
📚 5. Read Something That Grows Me
Every morning, I read a few pages of a non-fiction book — always something personal growth–related. Parenting can feel like you’re pouring from an empty cup, and this small habit helps refill mine with new perspectives, better habits, and the reminder that I’m still learning, too.
What I use:
📖 Current Read: Atomic Habits by James Clear
✨ I’ll be adding a full list of my favorite reads to the blog soon — stay tuned for my personal development book page!
🔴 6. Red Light Therapy
It feels like magic on tired skin and sore muscles — and it helps wake up my body gently (especially when the sun’s not out yet).
What I use:
💡 Red Light Therapy Belt
🧘♂️ 7. Meditation (Even if My Brain’s Loud)
I use a guided app or just sit with my hand on my heart. It’s not always peaceful — but it’s always worth it.
What I use:
📱 Smiling Mind App – Free & Teen-Friendly Too
🧘 Florensi Meditation Cushion for Better Posture
🌍 8. Spanish Lessons on Duolingo
This one's just for me — a little spark of learning that has nothing to do with parenting. It makes me feel proud, even on tough days.
What I use:
📱 [Duolingo App – Free & Easy]
Why It Matters
I don’t do all of this perfectly every morning. But even one or two pieces make a difference. Self-care isn’t always spa days — sometimes, it’s stretching on your mat while the laundry piles up, or breathing deeply while someone yells from the other room.
It’s not about fixing the chaos. It’s about making space for yourself in it.
💬 What’s in your morning routine? I’d love to hear — especially the little things that make a big difference.
👇 Share in the comments!