Align Your Morning Routine With Your Energy Levels

This is for you if the thought of having an “It Girl” morning routine sounds like the most draining thing you could do in the morning.

6 am alarm. Shower. Green Smoothie. 45 minute workout. Journalling. Coffee. Side Hustle. Finally sit down to start your 9–5.

If just reading that gave you anxiety, it might be time to consider throwing away the “It Girl” morning routine and instead optimize your morning routine by energy levels.

Last winter, in an effort to be more productive and not fall into a seasonal depression slump, I attempted to implement the “It Girl” morning routine. What I quickly discovered was that when I managed to make it through the whole routine, I would need a nap after, the exact opposite effect this routine was supposed to have. I also realized I hated green smoothies. But I wasn’t ready to give up the notion of having an organized morning routine that would energize me and set me up for a productive day.

Enter — morning routines by energy levels. This morning routine concept relies on honoring your energy levels on any given day. It takes away the pressure of having to accomplish a multitude of tasks before heading in to work (or sitting down if you still WFH). Instead you create 3 separate morning routines.

Low Energy Morning Routine

This one is for the days where you’d rather stay in bed, but that just isn’t possible. To create the most effective low energy routine, think about what the bare minimum is that you need to do in the morning to make it through the day. Remember, this is what low energy means for you, not anyone else.

For me, I shower, brush my teeth and hair, apply under-eye concealer, make coffee and eat a pre-made breakfast item. I know that a shower and eating breakfast are non-negotiable items for me to feel ready for the day.

Medium Energy Morning Routine

This is for the days where you feel ready to take on the day, but you maybe want to snooze the alarm just once. Expand on your low energy routine here. Consider what extra tasks you want to accomplish, in addition to the bare necessities. This routine, I have found, has the most flexibility, as energy levels may increase or decrease as you go through it.

For myself, I add a 15 minute stretch and light yoga before my shower. If it’s a hair wash day, I add that in to my shower routine. I do a basic skin care routine, apply light makeup and then make coffee and choose between making a breakfast or a pre-made item, sit down with planner and write out my top 3 tasks for the day.

High Energy Morning Routine

This is your “It Girl” routine. You have the energy to take on the world and start the day with a burst of productivity. But again, a reminder that morning routines should serve you and your needs, not just be a series of motions you go through. Keep this in mind, especially when you’re making your high energy routine — what extra activities would actually benefit you? Do you want to drink a green smoothie and go for a run? Or would a longer shower followed by reading for 20 minutes feel much more aligned with your needs?

For myself, I add in a brisk 20 minute walk, followed by a shower, a more in-depth skin care routine. Then I brush my teeth, style my hair, apply a full face of makeup and make a fancier coffee using my stovetop coffee maker. After that I sit and sip the coffee while either reading or watching Youtube videos that align with my learning goal for the month. I’ll usually make a breakfast that involves multiple steps and while I eat, I’ll plan out my day and maybe journal a bit.

The first step to aligning your morning routine with your energy levels, is to write it all down. Either write down your ideal, high energy routine first and whittle down until you’ve reached your low energy routine, or start with low energy and build up to your high energy routine.

Then start to implement these routines. See what works, what doesn’t, what gets missed every time and then come back to your lists and re-asses.

Throughout the entire process I want to you remember that: Your morning routine is meant to serve you, you are not meant to serve your routine.