Wake Up With Me
Happy Spring Readers!
Today, I wanted to bring you an updated morning routine, as the last one was written over the summer at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Recently, most of my days are spent in front of screens: my final semester of college will be held entirely online and, when I’m not in class, I relax by indulging in Netflix binge-watching or lengthy FaceTime catchup sessions with my friends in Los Angeles (if you’re reading this, thank you for making this semester survivable). My spring semester schedule consists of 4 classes that just happen to fall at the beginning and the end of each day. That’s right folks! I only have morning and evening classes. If you’re interested in following some of my most recent non-lifestyle writing, check out the Nature section of my blog, in which I will be uploading weekly reflections of the world around me for one of my classes. Click here to read more!
This semester has forced me to reevaluate how I use my time. When I created the schedule last November, I valued having time to work and study in between classes so that by the end of the day, all I would have to worry about is how I would like to spend the rest of my evening. Looking back, I failed to consider how having long pauses between two classes five times a week would impact my desire to actually attend classes and stay driven enough to complete all my work outside of Zoom sessions. So I turned to Etsy in hopes of finding an amazing planner that could help keep me on top of everything (and look aesthetic while I did it). I found this one by With White Space Co. Using the everyday hourly schedule featured in the planner, I took the time to write out a realistic morning schedule that I could stick to! And now, dear readers, I’m sharing it with you below! As always, thank you for checking out my blog, and happy reading.
WAKING UP
My mornings begin around 8:00 on weekdays. Even though I do set the alarm to go off at that time, I’m usually awake long before then thanks to the sun shining into my room.
Next, I like to take a couple of gulps from my water bottle that I leave right next to my bed to start my day off in a healthy way. I’m doing my absolute best to be more on top of my water intake.
After pulling up my blinds and cracking the window, my cat joins me in doing some light stretches that I learned in the beginner’s yoga class I am taking this semester. It’s been a great way to wake myself up!
Before heading downstairs for breakfast, I take the time to spritz my plant babies. I have been spending a lot of my free time learning about plants, and it’s finally paying off. They’re happy and healthy :).
If I have the extra time, I dedicate at least 10 minutes to picking up my room: the bed gets made, the side table gets decluttered, and clothes are picked up.
Nécessaire’s The Body Lotion is my newest quarantine discovery! I love how thick it is (without being sticky). Also, there’s no grey sheen if you’re have a darker skin tone like mine. Try it out and see for yourself :)
Hygiene/Skin Care
This is when I go through the basics: I brush my teeth, wash my face, apply oil/sheen to my hair, and check out my skin. If there are any problem areas, I determine how I would like to approach my skincare.
I’ve been trying to keep my skincare simple for my mornings! On most days, after splashing my face with cold water, I follow up with Glossier’s Milky Jelly Cleanser and Priming Moisturizer.
On the days that I shower in the morning before my classes (rather than at night right before bed), I use Nécessaire’s Body Wash and Scrub in the Eucalyptus scent and then slather on their Body Lotion.
Breakfast
By now it’s 9:00. The first thing I do when I get to the kitchen is to make a cup of black tea. My favorite is Tazo’s Breakfast in Paris which tastes like a classic Earl Grey with a hint of infused Lavender.
For breakfast, I love making oatmeal and filling it with all of my favorite things: bananas, cinnamon, honey, and a sprinkle of flaxseed. Because I’m usually the only one eating at this time, I like to scroll a little bit through my phone and see what I’ve missed.
When I’m pressed for time, I take my breakfast upstairs to my office space to look over my schedule for the day and begin reading and responding to emails. This may also be when I start planning my day in full.
Breakfast can also serve as my quiet time where I enter a space of self-reflection and allow myself to just b r e a t h e…
That’s it! I hope my morning routine provides some inspiration for anyone who’s struggling to get into the swing of things (or is just interested in seeing what someone else does to get their day started). As always, thank you so much for taking the time to read and I hope you enjoyed!
With love,
Maya.