I Will Own My Mornings, By Owning My Evenings.

0

Sweet EveningsAlas, I have returned. Some of you may remember my first post with DMB, nearly 7 months ago, titled I Will Own My Mornings, Even While I Constantly Fail. I vowed to not only continue to own my mornings, but to provide you with a few practical ideas on how you also could do so. Well, I am happy to report back, that I have conquered many months of ups and downs of morning ownership. I have had many mornings where I was lucky to make it out of my comfy pj pants, and other mornings where I have rocked it.  I have FINALLY found a niche in my mornings, and have become quite a 6am gym rat 4-5 x a week, something I never thought I would constantly conquer. But dont be fooled – sometimes the pillow still wins.

So, now I have returned, with a new mantra. You know, a somewhat ‘piggy back’ off of my morning ritual. Don’t be scared. I’m not going to suggest you now consider hosting breakfast buffets or mommy sleep overs, instead I want to address the night before. The dark before the sun. The evening ownership.

The reality of it is, we need to own our evenings (to some extent) in order to successfully own our mornings. 20 minutes.[quote] I’m challenging you to 20 minutes of evening ownership.[/quote] Perhaps, after you finish feeding the family and grab a few minutes of relaxation (if that even exists) simply set your timer for 20 minutes.  That’s right. Stop wondering why, just do it.  20 minutes now will save 20 minutes in the morning.  Think about it, so many times the evening gets a bad rap. So, let’s take those nightly blues and throw them to the curb – grant yourself 20 minutes of hard core evening prep to make your morning ownership, for the next day, a sweet successful moment of bliss! How can 20 minutes the night before set you up for even just a few moments of owning your morning? Here is my quick and dirty list – annddd go!

BREW IT – if you have the ability – fill up the coffee pot and set it to automatically brew. It takes literally 2 minutes. Try it. Take the few minutes you would have used to get your coffee going in the morning to now read a chapter in your book or devotional

COOK IT – crockpots and cutting boards do wonders. Take your 20 minutes and utilize one or both of these. If you know what you want to cook for dinner the next day, go ahead and prep it up. Cut your veggies/proteins and then bag them up, or better yet, throw them all in the crockpot for an overnight simmer. Dinner is done!

SET IT OUT –  something I swear by – setting out my clothes the night before. My alarm goes off at 5:15am so I can make it the gym before my ladies awake,  and oddly enough, sometimes it takes everything out of me to hunt down my gym attire while I am still half asleep. Sure, it should only take like 30 seconds, but if I can set it out the night before (otherwise known as throwing in a pile in the corner of my bedroom) then why not!

PACK IT – are you the lunch packer for the family?  If you don’t already, do it the night prior (ok, stop groaning) . and then use those 20 minutes for yourself the next morning. Brilliant! Take 20 minutes to sit in peaceful quiet instead of cutting the apples and figuring out who will eat what and who will be on a PB and J strike that day.  The tone of your morning can set you up for the rest of your day (not that I am speaking from experience or anything).

I don’t want to fill your brain with too many evening ownership ideas, but rather provide you with a few simple ways you can (almost) guarantee that you WILL own your morning, by owning your evening. There are so many other ways, methods, views – but I keep it simple, sister. That’s how I roll. Check out this article about the 7 Ways to Make The Most of your Evenings for some other ideas.

Now, I’m off to assist my eldest in making a magic clip doll house out of a fed ex box, while simultaneously filling the dishwasher, and taking the beef out to defrost for tomorrow’s chili. You see – 20 minutes – done! BOOM!

 

How do you own YOUR mornings!? Please share your strategies below! 

Previous articleNature Preschool Opening Fall of 2016 | Learning Tree Farm
Next articleThe Leadership Lie – Life with a Tiny Tyrant
Stephanie
Hiya Mamas! I'm Stephanie, mother of 2 little ladies, wife to a 6'4 IT guy, occupational therapist, small health business owner, Sinclair adjunct faculty member, avid UD flyer fan, and a contributor for this awesomely lovely blog! Welcome! After growing up in Beavercreek, I received my BA in Psychology and my Master of Occupational Therapy, both from Chatham College in Pittsburgh, PA. In essence, Im a city lover and a farm-girl all wrapped up in one. Against everything I could possibly control (insert - 'wanted to move far away') , I moved back to Ohio after grad school, started working as an OT, met my husband, and will never leave. Nope. Im 937 for life. I love roasted broccoli, smoothees, and sparkling water, with a side of dark roast coffee and almond milk creamer. My 'me time' consists of HIIT training, long walks, exploring local, trying new foods, and following a strict 'flip flops until the first snow' rule. I have either been pregnant or breastfeeding non stop since 2011 - so ask me anything about either one of those topics and I am sure I can give you some sort of (comical) insight. My heart is with serving others, and I have had the opportunity to serve on mission trips to Montana twice, and on occupational therapy mission trips to Guatemala twice. I am hoping when the littles get older (not that I am in a rush - stop growing already!) I can give more time to local organizations in need of volunteers. We love our new church, our new neighborhood park, and our new home, all which we acquired in the past year. Happy blog reading my friends!