Time to Get Up!

I think most people would agree with me that mornings are SO DIFFICULT. Literally. I recently started a job that requires me to be up at 6 am Monday-Friday, even some Saturdays. Let me tell you, it hasn’t been easy at all adjusting to that.

Before anyone yells at me, yes I know there are people that wake up so much earlier than that. Though when you go from a part-time job of getting up at 8 at the earliest most days, early mornings are something to get adjusted to.

1. Make the bed as soon as you get up.

One thing I’ve started doing that I stand by, is making the bed every single morning. As soon as my boyfriend and I get out of bed, I start making it. This way, I’m not tempted to crawl back into it and fall back asleep. I know some people say making the bed in the morning is pointless, because we are just going to crawl right back into it at night for bedtime.

For me, that logic doesn’t work. My workspace is in my bedroom and I would rather not look at a disheveled bed all day. So besides the obvious reason that it keeps me up and moving, making my bed is also for vanity purposes. I like a clean room, what can I say?

2. LISTS LISTS LISTS

To-Do lists are my favorite thing to make. They keep me organized, they remind me of what I need to do for the day...and I love planner shopping.

You know back in elementary and middle school where all you wanted were the patterned and colored notebooks and folders, because you thought they made you cool and everyone would like you more for them? No? Just me? Okay, I digress.

Planners now have vastly improved from even 10 years ago when I was in middle school. Now, you can find planners that have the ability to plan out every single second of your day, along with what you're eating and your goals for the month. For me, a simple yearly planner with enough space to write down my daily tasks is good enough for me. As long as it has a cute pattern.

3. Google calendar, my savior.

Ahh, the good ole google calendar comes to everyone's rescue. I don't care to have fancy apps that alert me of appointments that are coming up or paymetns I have to make because I, sadly, am an adult and have to take care of those things now.

I prefer the google calendar, where I can, just like with the to-do lists, type out my schedule. With the calendar, you can set reminders and specifically, when you want it to remind you and how often. You can include a very specific title for the event, especially if you're me and can't remember little details.

Or most details for that matter, but that's a different post.

Basically, Google calendar has saved my life and I don't think I could ever repay it.

4. Break up tasks during the day

If we tried to do everything we need to do all at once, we would explode. That, my friends, is really dangerous. Not taking breaks and practicing self-care can lead to a word I am very familiar with...burnout.

Burnout, definition brought to you by the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "is the exhaustion of physical or emotional strength usually as a result of prolonged stress or frustration."

Personally, I like to know when I'm going to take my breaks at work so that I can set aside an exact amount of time to either re-fill my water bottle, grab a snack, or do some stretching.

My work from home job almost requires me to stretch every so often, because I'm sitting in a chair in one position for 9 hours of the day. I take advantage of my lunch break by eating and taking time to watch an episode of my favorite Netflix show, The Vampire Diaries. (Where are my TVD fans at?)

Taking time to take mental or physical breaks is extremely important in my daily routine. This not only helps me stay productive and motivated for the rest of the day, but it keeps my mind on task. In other words, my mind doesn't wander as often because I actively gave it a break.

PSA: I hope at least one person learned something or took away one tip out of my post today. These are things that have helped me, but in no way are guaranteed to help you as well. Thanks for reading. :)