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Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

November 21, 2015

So, You Want to Be a Morning Person? 3 Ways I Make Mornings Rock

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I used to hate mornings…then I discovered some simple ways to make mornings my favorite! Here are 3 of my favorite ways to “Take Back Morning” and make them rock!

How I Learned to Love Mornings on dineanddish.net

An alternate title for this post could easily be “I Hated Mornings But Now I Love Them”.

I love mornings… in fact, the early morning hours are easily my favorite time of day. It didn’t used to be this way…even as a child I never really slept in, but I was definitely not a rise and shine and have a smile on my face kind of kid. As an adult I would get up when my alarm went off, but grumble through my morning routine, wishing I could just crawl back under the covers.

Don’t get me wrong… I’m still not a happy, cheerful morning person (I prefer to speak to no one during the first couple hours of the day) but I love the quiet and stillness of the morning so much, it is worth it to me to get up and get my day started.

Have you wished you were a morning person? Here are 3 key things I’ve done to become a morning person… maybe they’ll help you too!

Coffee on Princess Cruise

Wake Up Earlier Than You Have To

I became a morning person once I finally realized the benefits I received when I implemented new things in the morning. The hardest part of becoming a morning person was learning to wake up earlier than I have to.

I’ve spent a good part of my life sleeping until I absolutely had to wake up, then spent the remainder of the morning rushing around in a hurried hot mess state, not feeling relaxed and calm at all, yelling at everyone in sight, etc. Basically, I was starting off my day in the worst way possible.

Now, I wake up at 4:15am on gym days and 5am on non-gym days. My kids get up at 6:15, so this gives me at least an hour of time to not feel rushed and to ease into my morning. My goal in the morning is to:

  1. Be showered and somewhat ready for the day by the time my kids get out of bed.
  2. Have my exercise over and done with so I don’t have it hanging over me all day.
  3. To have some time to do something for me…something that I love and that makes me happy…to set the overall tone for my day going forward.

Morning Sunrise

I even wake up earlier now when we are on vacation. When I was recently on a Princess Cruise, my friend and I would wake up earlier than we had to so we could enjoy a delicious breakfast on the balcony, have some time to read, watch the sunrise, and ease into our morning. It was so lovely!

I’ve had to alter some things, especially about my nights, to make these changes work. I have to be very, very disciplined about going to bed on time. If I stay up until midnight then wake up at 5, that’s not going to do much good for my well being. I am now typically in bed by 9pm, which was a HUGE adjustment for me, but one that has been incredibly worth it.

I recommend easing into your morning by waking up earlier than you have to. It’ll take some time to get used to, but once you do, the benefits of having that quality time with yourself are so worth it!

Spend Your Morning Time Doing Something You Love

I love my morning time because I spend it being completely selfish and doing things I love. If I have something to look forward to in the morning (like a quiet house and me time) it makes rolling out of bed earlier so worth it. Most likely, if I skip my early mornings and sleep in, I’ll miss the opportunity for reflection and happy time in the morning. I call my morning “me time” my “Early Morning Happy Hour”.

Some of the things I enjoy doing in the morning are:

  1. Journaling/Writing – I love these journal prompts from Life Captured Inc.
  2. Coloring – Adult coloring is all the rage! I have this adult coloring book and love it.
  3. Reading – Anytime I can sit down with a cup of coffee and read is a happy time. Here’s what I’m currently reading.
  4. Participate in self reflection – I’m currently working through The Desire Map and loving it!
  5. Listening to music, watching the sunrise, and drinking my coffee. I’m loving this Amazon Prime station for early mornings!
  6. Read the newspaper or a magazine
  7. Plan Your Day – I’ve recently gotten into Bullet Journaling in a Midori Traveler’s Notebook (LOVE!) It’s creative and productive!

Eat Breakfast

 My entire life I’ve been a horrible breakfast eater. I’m just one of those people who isn’t hungry in the mornings, so I never felt the need to eat when I wasn’t hungry (well unless it’s cake or chocolate…I can eat that any time of day).

Well, I can tell you that my entire life I’ve been missing out and wrong. It’s amazing the energy, focus and overall mental clarity a good breakfast in the morning gives me. It’s actually really nice now to be able to eat my breakfast in the silence of the early morning hours, before the rest of the family wakes up. I don’t have to share, I can eat what I want, and I can savor eating instead of shoving something down my throat as I rush out the door to the car.

If you want to become a morning person, I’m here to tell you that eating breakfast is key.

One Final Thought

This should probably be front and foremost in my suggestions but resist the urge to bring your phone and other electronics to your morning happy hour. You need to control what seeps into your brain in the morning, not Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. Aside from a picture or two (because I can’t resist that morning light) my phone stays off during my morning happy hour… and when I break my own rule, I really end up regretting it.

Are You Ready to Give It A Try?

If you desire to take back morning and start your days off on the right foot, give these tips a try! Remember, I wasn’t always a morning person, but now kind of wish I had been. I’m happier, my family is happier, and our household is much less chaotic because of my personal morning happy hour.

Let me know if you make the switch and if you have any tips of your own. I’d love to hear from you!

Disclosure: I was honored to be a guest aboard the Ruby Princess with Princess Cruise Lines. In addition, this blog post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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Filed Under: Happiness, Life, Previous Tagged With: happiness, happy hour, morning person, mornings, productivity, routine

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Beth Hornback says

    November 21, 2015 at 8:50 am

    This is so inspiring, Kristen! I have been getting up early, but to work. I do get a lot done during those quiet hours, and at this time of my life with little ones it is one of the only times I have for distraction-free work time. But I still love your approach to a morning happy hour, so I’m going to do some self-reflection as to how I can make that work. 🙂 Thanks for the ideas!

    • Kristen says

      November 21, 2015 at 2:52 pm

      I hear you… and have been exactly where you are for probably 10 of the past 13 years of parenting. Except I’d stay up until 2 in the morning to get my work done.
      I will tell you this though… once I started putting myself and my well being first over work and other things, everything else fell into place. You’ve gotta make time to take care of you 🙂 (I’m not saying you aren’t… I’m just saying that’s my experience!)

  2. Christin@SpicySouthernKitchen says

    November 21, 2015 at 9:01 am

    Totally love these great ideas for getting a wonderful start to the day! You’ve motivated me to make an earlier start to the day!

  3. Kim says

    November 22, 2015 at 5:57 am

    I write down inspiring comments that I keep by my bed that I read every morning. Comments like, “I’m going to have a great day”, or, Everything is going to go my way today, nothing can stop me”, really help my day get started off right!

  4. Jamie | The Kitchenarium says

    November 22, 2015 at 8:30 am

    These are such great suggestions. I *need* to become a morning person but hate the idea of getting up earlier than 6:15 just to have time to myself. I am such a night owl but I regret every late night “me time” because the kiddos never sleep in and I just end up being in an exhausted haze all day. You are such an inspiration to me Kristen. Having some one with four kiddos that is a few years more experienced (my oldest is soon to be 10) has been so wonderful. Your authenticity has helped to keep me a bit more balanced as I topple through life/motherhood. THANK YOU!

  5. Suzy@The Mediterranean Dish says

    November 22, 2015 at 11:58 am

    Great tips,! I never thought I would be a morning person, but I have been for a time now thanks to my husband. For years, he woke up at least one and a half hours before me…I would wake up and find him already dressed, had breakfast and enjoying his coffee and a book. I tried it, out of jealousy really…now I love my morning happy hour!

  6. Aggie @ Aggie's Kitchen says

    November 24, 2015 at 5:41 am

    I think you may have had a small hand in my love of early mornings – at least the embraing the early morning go to the gym routine. I will never forget your words – This can’t be sustainable (or something like that lol) – and how it became a routine after a week or so. Thank you for that!! Your morning happy hour is an inspiration. On the days I get up early (every morning) I either go to the gym, or work. But I think I need to give myself a break and give myself a real morning Happy Hour on the weekends…because I need to do all those things you mentioned (specifically the Desire Map which I have but haven’t opened). I used to love reading the newspaper too…I miss it! Love this post friend, and love you!

  7. Melissa says

    December 9, 2015 at 4:42 pm

    If I had my way, I’d get up about 7:30 or 8 every day, but my kids are regularly up by 6 a.m. Your post has given me inspiration to try to get up earlier than the kids and try to get a head start on the day.

    We shared this post on 1099 Mom.

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New ink inspired by a quote in my friend @andiemmitchell amazing memoir “It Was Me All Along”. 

I tend to be an all or nothing person and look at long term and get overwhelmed instead of just taking things one day at a time. I’ve said her quote to myself multiple times a day for years. Now I’ll have a permanent reminder. 

The full quote: “Can you do it today? Can you make it through today without bingeing? Just today, and tomorrow we’ll reconsider?”

I need to go back and get a couple missed spots filled in but I love it. Thanks Rob at @irezumitattookc 🎉

#typewriterfonttattoo #tattooinstagram #inspiringtattoos #quotetattoo #gentlereminder #wordstoinspire #wordstoremember #wordstoliveby
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My snow and mountain loving, free spirited, book reading, laugh inducing, amazing friend @mountainmamacooks wrote a cookbook. It’s beautiful and just so perfect! I’m sharing all about it on the blog today and I also gave her Crispy Kahlua French Toast recipe the double dip treatment.

Find the recipe and get a peek into her book over on Dine & Dish! (PS I miss you tons, Kelley!)

#apresallday #frenchtoastrecipe #brunchideas #cookbooks #mountainmama #skiingislife
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Here’s a fun fact I heard on the radio several years ago…October 5th is the most popular day to be born (9 months prior is New Years Eve-ish). 🎉 

Happy birthday to all my many many birthday twins out there! It’s the big 4-8 for me…although this past year as a Covid long hauler I feel like I’ve aged 20 years in the past 1. But things are looking up! I’m excited for the next 365 days of my life. I’m blessed and so thankful to still be here, chugging along.

This picture is from last week when @kellykdoyle and I were visiting colleges in Colorado. If I have any followers with ties to @coloradostateuniversity or @cuboulder I’d love to chat! 

#october5th #birthdaytwins #gardenofthegods #birthdayweek #coloradosprings
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I love being a parent of teens...but I miss the days of parenting kids who loved going to school, who didn't struggle with major anxiety, who loved their bodies, and were confident about how they looked. I miss pre-covid days where lunch wasn't distanced, kids had the opportunity to connect and socialize at school, where mask-wearing wasn't even a topic, let alone one that divides. 

The past 2 years have changed my kids. They have gained so many positive things, but they've also gained a new kind of anxiety that wasn't there before. And I hate it for them. They've seen first hand how long haul covid has changed our family. They've seen the selfishness of others in ways they haven't seen before. They've had to grow up faster, worry about things they shouldn't have to worry about, and learn the hard way how this world can really be. And it hurts my heart for them. 

I have a new senior, sophomore and 6th grader here at home. Missing my sophomore in college a ton. I hope the world is kind to them and they are kind to the world. I want nothing more than for them to be happy and to be surrounded by good people who love and accept them for who they are and who also push them to live a full, rich and happy life. I pray every day for them - and for your kids...and pray that we are all raising a generation of empathetic and kind changemakers.

#loveoneanother❤️ #parentingteens #momofteens #anxietyawareness #backtoschooloutfit #changemakers #parenthood_moments
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These two small business owners had a successful launch day for their new clothing and accessory brand, @impatient.us I’m so proud of my daughter @kellykdoyle & daughter from another mother, @kyleemdunn for making the time and financial commitment to launch their dream brand! They’ve done it all so independently and have navigated starting a small business way better than I could have at 17! Thanks to everyone who sent words of encouragement and showered them with support. It’s means so much! 

Follow their journey at @impatient.us and shop the link in their profile!

#smallbusinesslaunch #clothingbrands #teenentrepreneur #launchday #launchparty #teenbusiness #shopsmallbusinesses #proudmoment
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I was a “houseplant lady” before the pandemic, but I think since the pandemic I get to add the word “crazy” to that title. So. Many. Plants. I’m not mad about it!

This weekend @kctinygreenhouse I picked up this beautiful Monstera Peru as well as a bag of Jeff’s Jungle Mix. You know when a new to you potting mix has you super excited, you’ve crossed the line into la la land 😂 Swipe to see how pretty it is!

What pandemic hobby did you pick up?

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Yesterday we spent a few hours down in the West Bottoms visiting the grand opening of @kctinygreenhouse newest location . KC Plant fam, head there. Just trust me! Plants loved and cared for with the best good vibes, all ready to join your crazy plant person home. You’ll find goodies from local KC artisans as well, like @pigeoncandles 

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Happy birthday @ella.r.doyle 💕💕💕 We love you!
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I want to live in the big city, yet also want to live in the country. I want to live by the beach, yet also want to live in the mountains. I either need multiple lives or multiple homes! 

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I’m officially one step closer to reaching peak plant lady status! 🪴

I’m welcoming these plant cuttings from the Hello Kathy Plant Etsy Shop to my already booming collection. When I saw people rave about her “Mystery Box” of plant cuttings I knew I had to buy one. 2 things I love...mystery boxes and plants!

Now I need to figure out how to keep them alive. Any advice? 😃 🪴

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Hi, friend! I Thought I’d just say “hey” and check in and add some pretty flowers to your feed.

We’re over here dragging ourselves across the school finish line...so close to done physically, but over done, mentally. Can you relate?

My coaching business is going great, I’m working with some truly incredible, inspiring women right now which makes me so happy! I’ll be launching 2 new group coaching  classes (for women and entrepreneurs) in a few weeks so be sure to follow @rockyourhappy if you are interested in being updated on those!

Jacob comes home from college this week and my parents are coming to visit for a couple of weeks as well. And it’s almost my favorite time of the year, summer!! 

How are things going with you? What’s going good and making you happy? Or what do you need a hand or listening ear with? Touch base! I’ve missed you!

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Book Lovers Giveaway (read to the end)!!! ⬇️ ⬇️ 

Supporting my local independent bookstore @rainydaybooks looks a lot different than it used to these days. Temporarily gone are the days of lingering in store, browsing the shelves, walking out with an armful of books I didn’t expect to buy. The pandemic has made independent bookstores pivot in ways they’ve never had to before, but I’m so happy to say they are CRUSHING IT! And as we virtually celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, I wanted to share a way you too can help keep Independent bookstores afloat now (and in the future).

You know I’m a huge fan of @librofm , the absolute best audiobook alternative that gives money back to the independent bookstore of your choice with your audiobook purchases. Well, to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on 4/24, they are giving YOU a free audiobook! Here’s what you need to do…

Spend $15 or more at your bookstore between April 24th and 26th. Submit your receipt at libro.fm/ibd and Libro.fm will email you a link to your free audiobook by April 28th! Easy peasy, right?

Wait! There’s more! 🌟 I’d love to give one Dine & Dish follower the chance to win a 3 month @Librofm audiobook membership. To enter, simply tag your favorite independent bookstore here and tell me what you love the most about it! That’s it! Winner will be chosen at random on April 27th. Yay, books!

#indiebookstoreday #indiebookstore #bookstoreshoutout 
#booksbooksandmorebooks #bookgiveaway #audiobook #librofm #independentbookstore @indiebookstoreday
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Can’t believe we’re doing the college tour thing already with my second baby! 

So question for any of you who sent your kids to out of state schools or went to out of state schools...how did you do it? She wants to get the heck out of Kansas (I’d like to go with her!). We have money saved, she’ll most likely get a scholarship or two, she’s paying and has money saved as well...but even with that out of state tuition is a beast of an amount. So, did you just assume that student loans were going to be part of that life? And is that worth it to give your kids a shot at a new life outside of your home state? I wish I would have left Kansas for university, and have been here since I was born 😩. I want different for her if that’s what she wants but also just don’t have any experience with how people do out of state college! Any tips?

#collegetour #bestlifenow #outofstate #studentloans #junioryear #kansasstate #adviceneeded
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J is for...jam!
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My friend @wakschmale makes the best strawberry jam...and I completely forgot about a jar she gave me last year until this morning. Which then inspired me to make my favorite buttermilk biscuits. So so good. Are you a jam, honey, just butter or plain biscuit fan? I love biscuits allll the ways, except with gravy. I have super bad memories of biscuits and gravy growing up. 🤢
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I’m still slowly making my way through the alphabet for @kimklassen_innercircle a-z photo challenge. I’m bound and determined to finish. It may just take me a little longer than I originally anticipated 🤗.
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#homemadejam #eatcaptureshare #biscuitsandjam #homemadebiscuits #sundaybaking #easylikesundaymorning #foodphotograph #foodpics #slowsunday #breakfastathome #kimklassen_innercircle
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It took me 2 months to get this Crispy Chickpea Pantry Pasta recipe up on the blog. 🤦‍♀️But it’s there now! You can find the link in my Instagram profile.
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Also, just noticed Instagram took away the like count on posts. I kind of like that...what do you think?
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#pastarecipe #chickpeapasta #dinnerideas #dinnerrecipes #vegetarianrecipe #eatcaptureshare #slowblogging  #totallifechanges
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I is for Inspiration!
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The “long haul” effects of having Covid back in December are really presenting themselves lately. The continuous persistent headaches are taking a toll and the connection between the brain fog and word retrieval function of my brain has been extra challenging. I had no idea a couple months out, the cognitive effects would still be hanging around.
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With that said, when I get a burst of inspiration I’m grabbing on for dear life. I made our favorite chocolate chip cookies recipe yesterday and felt the desire to update the blog post photos from 2007! We make these cookies all the time, so I’m not sure why it’s taken me so many years to give that poor post some new photos.
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If you’re interested in the recipe you can find the link currently in my profile. Enjoy!!
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@kimklassen_innercircle #kimklassen_innercircle #chocolatechipcookie #cookiestagram #foodphotography #feedfeedbaking #plateofcookies #cookiephotography #eatcaptureshare #recipeoftheweek
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H is for...high!
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It was so strange being on a plane again. I’m so thankful I have the antibodies because the flights were full, which seemed wrong, but everyone around me did seem to keep their masks on, so that was good.
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I can’t wait until travel becomes a regular part of life again. I’ve missed it so much!
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 @kimklassen_innercircle @southwestair @windowswap #cloudphotography #cloudsofinstagram #flightview #iflyswa #imisstravelling #skylove #planepics #myviewtoday #beautifulviews
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G is for...oh so grateful!

I flew to South Texas yesterday to visit my parents whom I haven’t seen in 2 years. They live around 17 hours away from us. We typical get to see each other a few times a year but with the pandemic and other health issues it just wasn’t able to happen and I’ve missed them soooo much.

Grateful to have had COVID last month. Although it was not at all fun, it gave me the antibodies to make this trip possible. My dad is having surgery tomorrow so I’m helping with my mom so my dad can recover without having to worry about her.

Kansas is enjoying frigid temperatures and snow. I picked a great week to head south.
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#palmtrees🌴 #palmtreesfordays #blueskiesandsunshine #wintersun #texasskies #kimklassen_innercircle @kimklassen_innercircle #silverlining
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F is for...food photography.
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This time of year especially, food photography (and I guess all photography actually) is a tug of war with time and light. I had planned on making and photographing a delicious pasta recipe, but my grocery delivery ran a couple of hours late because of snowstorm. So, at the eleventh hour I decided to make a cake...that took over an hour to bake and I had about 90 minutes of natural light left...leaving me with about 30 minutes of ok light to work with.
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Anyway, this wouldn't work for a client shoot because the cake, although delicious, didn't turn out looking so great. But it will work great for today's F photo for the @kimklassen_innercircle A-Z photo project:) Lemon Citrus Yogurt Cake from this weeks @cabotcheese newsletter. So good!
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#eatcake #eatcaptureshare #eatcakebehappy #lemoncake #cakecakecakecake #foodiegram #yahoofood #dessertsofinstagram #sweettooth #kimklassen_innercircle #fisforfood
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