10. I Built a Better Morning Routine — How I Start My Day with Purpose
- Brittany Miller
- May 22, 2023
- 16 min read
Updated: Nov 11
I want to share how I created a better morning routine that actually sticks, not the buzzy kind you read about in a bestseller and feel guilty for not doing.
If you’ve tried to build a better morning routine and felt frustrated, overwhelmed, or discouraged, I get it — I’ve been there. This post is my deep dive into the real, messy, and practical steps I’ve used to craft a sustainable, better morning routine that meshes with motherhood, entrepreneurship, and real life.
If we haven't met yet, I’m Brittany, an online marketing strategist for female entrepreneurs. I teach women how to make their entrepreneurial dreams a reality through smart, actionable marketing strategies that get them seen, loved, and paid. Whether you’re eager to DIY your way to success or hire professionals to help you along the way–my goal is to make sure you walk away with the clarity you need to see the results you desire and build a life you love.
Table of Contents
Why I Decided to Pursue a Better Morning Routine
Three years ago I felt lost in my own days. I was living in my parents’ house with two small children, and my mornings were a blur of chaotic wake-ups, scrambled breakfasts, and rescuing tiny humans who were not great sleepers. I had no time that felt “mine.” I felt like I had no identity beyond mom-ing and trying to keep up. That’s when a friend, Cheyenne — a life coach — suggested something simple: start small. I wanted a better morning routine, but I didn’t need a dramatic overhaul or to wake at 4 a.m. I needed tiny habits that would bring presence and a sense of self back to my mornings.
I was an all-or-nothing person then. My brain told me I had to suddenly become a fitness fanatic, read a dozen books a month, perfect my skincare routine, and have Pinterest-worthy breakfasts. That mindset didn’t work for me. Instead, the first seed of a better morning routine was making space for two minutes of intentional presence — noticing one thing I could see, taste, touch, and smell while waiting for the kettle to boil for tea. That small practice became the foundation of what I now call my better morning routine.
Start Small: The Single Best Tip I Learned
When people ask how to build a better morning routine, the first thing I say is this: start small and repeat. Don’t plan an hour of rituals if you can only reliably carve out five minutes. Habits compound. If you can take five mindful minutes for yourself daily, that’s better than a perfectionist attempt at a huge routine that collapses. That’s what my life coach taught me, and it changed everything.
Those first small minutes were simple: stretch for a minute while the kettle boiled and the toast popped, breathe deeply, notice the leafy aroma, and name one thing I was thankful for. Over time, I layered on more practices — a short workout, a bit of journaling, reading five to ten minutes — and those layers formed the better morning routine I maintain today. The key is that each added habit had to feel doable. If it didn’t feel doable, I removed it.
How My Morning Routine Evolved
My better morning routine didn’t appear overnight. It evolved. I started with two or three minutes, then moved to ten, to twenty, and to blocks of focused time. Life threw changes at me — new babies, nights up rocking a child, seasons where I was out of routine — and my morning routine flexed with those seasons. If you’re pursuing a better morning routine, expect it to change. What works for you when your kids are tiny may shift when they’re older or when your work evolves. Flexibility is part of the design.
From "Not a Morning Person" to Loving Morning Time
When I first started, I insisted I was not a morning person and that the 5 a.m. club was not for me. But I discovered I enjoy getting up an hour earlier than my kids. Having that hour lets me move my body, stretch, shower, and check one meaningful work task off my list. I became a better parent and business owner because I felt grounded before the day’s noise began. So a better morning routine doesn’t have to start at dawn — it has to start at a time that gives you calm and clarity before the household awakens.
What My Better Morning Routine Looks Like Today
Right now my mornings usually begin between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m. (some days I’m up earlier). On days I want to get more intentional, my alarm is 5:30 a.m. I ignore my phone at first — that’s a non-negotiable. I don’t scroll through messages or social media before I’ve done meaningful things for myself. Depending on how I feel, I either start with a short writing exercise or jump into a 20–30 minute workout. Let me break down the core elements of my better morning routine so you can borrow anything that fits.
1. Movement: My Morning Workout
Moving my body is a non-negotiable pillar of my better morning routine. I’m a BODi partner and coach, so fitness is part of my life and work. That said, I don’t need an hour-long gym session to feel accomplished. I use an online fitness platform that offers a variety of workouts — HIIT, cardio, dance, weights, prenatal/postnatal, yoga, and even short meditations. It’s perfect for a busy parent who needs flexibility. I typically choose a 20-minute HIIT or cardio session because it wakes me up, raises energy, and feels efficient. If I’m feeling dance-y, I do a dance class. If I want strength work, I pick a weights session. The important part: I pick something that feels good that morning and I keep it short enough to be realistic.
On days when I don’t exercise first thing, I still find a way to move — a quick stretch with a foam roller, a small yoga flow, or a brisk walk if the weather is doable. Movement anchors my morning and sets a tone of self-care that ripples through the day. If your goal is a better morning routine, movement is one ingredient that reliably makes the rest of the day feel better.
2. Gratitude: Good Days Start with Gratitude
After moving, I open my gratitude journal. I use a simple guided journal that prompts me to list three things I’m grateful for. Gratitude in the morning is one of the most powerful pieces of my better morning routine. It nudges my mind away from scarcity and complaint and toward noticing good things — even small, ordinary ones. When I do this daily, my overall mood improves and I notice opportunities I might otherwise miss.
Sometimes my gratitude entries are big: my partner showing up, a quiet morning. Sometimes they’re tiny: a warm mug in my hands, a song that came on that made me smile. This practice also helped shift my relationship; acknowledging the things my partner does well played a role in us reconnecting. Gratitude is not fluff — it’s a practical mindset exercise that consistently makes my days feel better.
3. Reading: Personal Development + Mind Nourishment
I carve 10–20 minutes each morning for reading. Books fuel my ideas, give me language for problems I’m solving, and remind me that growth is a daily practice. I read a mix of personal development, business strategy, parenting, and mindset books. Some favourites I rotate through: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work (great for relationship work), The High 5 Habit by Mel Robbins (wonderful for small daily wins), You Are a Badass (for mindset), and books on leadership and productivity.
Reading in the morning helps me be mentally sharp for decisions later in the day. If you’re designing a better morning routine, even five pages of reading every day compounds into real learning over months. It’s also a gentle way to build momentum — a tiny win that signals you’re investing in yourself.
4. Journaling: Brain Dumps, High-Fives, and Manifestation
Journaling is one of the most transformative practices in my better morning routine. I use a mix of structured prompts and free-form brain dumps. My tools are simple — sometimes a guided journal, sometimes a plain dollar-store notebook. The mix keeps it accessible and sustainable.
My journaling flow usually looks like this:
Note my current feeling in one word or short phrase (I feel...)
Write a "I deserve a high five because..." statement — this is from Mel Robbins' High 5 habit and it’s a brilliant way to be your own cheerleader
Do a brain dump — everything on my mind goes onto the page
Identify anything that needs to go into my planner so I don’t forget
Write five things I have (present-tense manifestation statements)
The "five things I have" is powerful because it forces me to write in present tense about what I want to attract. That simple framing helps me shift from wishing to living as if. Sometimes I write five things I already have; often I write things I’m manifesting in present tense: "I have a backyard oasis to relax in," "I have abundant time to enjoy my kids," or "I attract and receive money easily and effortlessly." Those statements are part visualization, part affirmation, and they keep me focused on the life I’m building.
5. Planner: Time Blocking and Priorities
Once I’ve journaled, I open my planner. I use a practical planner that blends long-term vision with daily execution. I check my calendar for appointments, time block my top priorities, and write down the three things I must accomplish that day. I also use it to map habits and note my weekly focus areas. This step turns morning clarity into actionable structure. Without it, my better morning routine would feel wishful and inefficient — journaling gives me ideas, the planner transforms them into realistic tasks.
How I Keep My Better Morning Routine Flexible
One of the biggest reasons routines fail is rigidity. I’ve found the better morning routine for me is flexible in order but consistent in purpose. Some days I’ll workout first, then journal. Other days I’ll sit quietly for ten minutes and write, then do a quick strength session. Sometimes a baby wakes in the night and my whole morning shifts — that’s okay. The purpose of my better morning routine is to build presence, move my body, and align my mind with intention; it’s not to impress anyone.
Flexibility also means allowing for different time investments. On weekends I might do a longer reading session or tackle a fun project; on weekdays with early meetings I'll compress the routine into 30–45 focused minutes. The goal of my morning routine is sustainable improvement, not perfection. If you need this one truth to build a routine, save this sentence: consistency beats intensity every time.
The Role of Technology in My Morning Routine
I intentionally minimize tech in the first part of my morning. Scrolling is a mood sink and decision stealer. I keep my phone face down and don’t check notifications until I’ve completed the core pieces of my routine. For workouts and guided meditations I use apps — but those are tools, not time-suckers. The key is to use technology purposefully: a workout app to guide movement, an audiobook app for walking, a simple meditation app for a five- or ten-minute guided practice when I need it. If your aim is a better morning routine, think about which apps support your goals and which one’s drain your willpower.
What I Stop Doing to Make Room for My Routine
Creating a productive and fulfilling morning routine often means saying "no" to other things. For me, that meant quitting the habit of starting my day with email. It meant letting go of unrealistic expectations, like making gourmet breakfasts every single day. It also meant asking for help — my partner, Grayson, often makes breakfast on mornings when I need uninterrupted time, and that support is part of the reason this routine works. I've also said no to staying up late binging TV shows. Going to bed at a reasonable hours gives me the energy to get up in the morning and start my days intentionally.
Boundaries are a big part of this. I set expectations with my family: mornings are my focus window, and unless there’s an emergency, I’ll check in after I’ve completed my top priorities. That boundary protects the energetic investment I make in myself and allows me to show up more present for everyone else.
On Days When It Doesn’t Go as Planned
I’m human. Some mornings I wake up tired, or a child needs extra attention, or I go to bed too late. On those days my ideal morning routine shrinks. Instead of a workout and reading and journaling, I might do a five-minute stretch and a two-minute gratitude. That’s fine. Tiny consistency beats grand failure. The point of a better morning routine is to create a default that brings you back toward balance, not to punish you for imperfect execution.
When I miss a morning practice, I don’t berate myself. I evaluate what happened: did I go to bed late? Did I overcommit yesterday? Is something else going on? Then I adjust. That compassionate approach keeps me returning to the routine instead of abandoning it after one setback.
Morning Rituals That Aren’t Currently in My Routine (But Might Be Yours)
I used to record a voice note of my written life manifesto and listen to it each morning. I recorded myself reading my ideal life in present tense — describing how I spend time with my kids, the house I live in, the projects I love. Hearing my voice remind me of that version of myself was deeply motivating. I stopped doing it when life shifted, but it’s a tool I recommend.
Other rituals people use: longer meditations, longer runs, cold showers, elaborate skincare, and extended journaling. None are universally required for a better morning routine. Pick what you can sustain and what fuels you. For me, a 20-minute workout, 10 minutes of reading, and a 10–15 minute journal/planner session is my sweet spot.
Meditation: When and Why I Use It
Meditation is powerful, but it didn’t fit well in my initial morning routine because it extended the time and I had a lot to get done. Now, I usually meditate in the afternoon when I need clarity or when a decision feels stuck. A ten-minute guided meditation helps me step back from the weeds and see a problem from a new angle. If you’re beginning a better morning routine, a two- or five-minute breathing exercise after waking can be enough to anchor your nervous system.
Examples: Sample Better Morning Routines You Can Borrow
Below are three sample routines you can adopt or adapt depending on your time and energy. Each is designed to be sustainable and oriented toward presence, movement, and focus.
Quick Reset — 15 Minutes (for busy mornings)
2 minutes: breathe and list one thing you’re grateful for
8 minutes: quick bodyweight workout or stretch routine
5 minutes: write a one-line intention and add one task to your planner
Balanced Start — 45 Minutes (my weekday favourite)
20 minutes: workout (HIIT or strength)
10 minutes: gratitude and brain dump journaling
10 minutes: reading one chapter or 10–15 pages
5 minutes: planner review and time blocking
Slow Weekend — 90 Minutes (expand and luxuriate)
30 minutes: longer movement — walk, run, or yoga
15 minutes: journaling — longer prompts, reflection, and ideas
15 minutes: reading or learning a new skill
10 minutes: oracle card pull
20 minutes: project work or planning for the week
How I Use Affirmations and Manifestation in My Morning Routine
I’m intentional with language. In my journal I write "I have..." statements in the present tense as an act of manifestation. I also record a list of affirmations in my planner. Saying or writing affirmations helps me shift mental narratives that get stuck in scarcity or comparison. Examples I use regularly: "I am worthy," "Money comes to me easily," "I am productive and calm," and "Time is abundant." These aren’t magical incantations; they’re mental scaffolding. They rewire my attention toward opportunities and resourcefulness rather than lack. If you want a better morning routine, add a short affirmation practice that feels authentic to you.
How My Morning Routine Helps My Business and Family
Doing my morning routine makes me a calmer partner and parent. When I take those first twenty to ninety minutes to move, reflect, and plan, I show up with more patience and focus. That clarity helps me make faster decisions for my business, choose the right priorities, and be more present with my kids. In short: a better morning routine improves the quality of my work and my relationships.
Most of my deep work and decision-making gets done earlier in the day because my clarity is at its highest in the morning. If I have big decisions or logistical problems, I tackle them first after my morning routine. That prioritization helps me move projects forward with less friction. For entrepreneurs, a better morning routine is not just self-care — it’s a performance strategy.
Practical Tools I Use
A guided workout app for short home workouts (20–30 min)
A gratitude journal for three daily gratitudes
A plain notebook for brain dumps and manifestation writing
A planner with daily and weekly layouts for priorities and time blocking
A simple meditation app for 5–10 minute guided practices
My Top 10 Tips for Building Your Own Better Morning Routine
Start small — two minutes of consistency beats a sporadic two-hour routine.
Choose one anchor habit (movement, journaling, or reading) and build around it.
Ignore your phone for the first 30–60 minutes of your morning.
Use a simple planner to turn morning clarity into action.
Be flexible. Adjust your routine when life seasons change.
Affirm in present tense and write "I have" statements that feel true.
Protect your morning time with boundaries and communicate them to your family.
Use apps as tools, not traps — pick workouts and meditations that are time-efficient.
When you miss a morning, be compassionate and return tomorrow.
Make it enjoyable — pick music, scents, or rituals that make you look forward to mornings.
How to Measure Progress Without Obsessing Over Perfection
Progress isn’t how many boxes you tick each morning. Progress is feeling more centered, clearer, and more effective. I measure progress by asking simple questions weekly: Am I more patient? Am I getting my priorities done? Do I feel like I’m showing up more intentionally for my family and clients? If the answer is yes more often than no, your better morning routine is working.
Common Roadblocks and How I Overcame Them
Here are some struggles I faced and practical fixes I used:
Not enough time: I shortened workouts and condensed journaling to essentials.
Guilt for taking time: I reframed my routine as fuel for my family and business.
Inconsistency: I removed high-friction elements and kept only what I enjoyed.
Technology distraction: I keep my phone out of sight and use apps only when they serve a specific purpose.
Perfectionism: I allowed for 80% effort and dropped the "all or nothing" mentality.
How to Adapt a Better Morning Routine if You Have Young Kids
Use naps and early waking windows strategically. I did many of my morning practices before the kids woke. When that wasn’t possible, I picked tiny pockets — five minutes here, 15 minutes there — and stitched them together. Let naps be your anchor for a morning read or a journaling session. Involve older kids in simple parts — making the bed together counts as movement and connection. The point is to find consistent small windows; consistency matters more than block length.
How to Know When It’s Time to Change Your Routine
Your morning routine should change when it stops serving you. Signs include dread, boredom, reduced results, or life changes (new baby, job change, etc.). That’s when I audit what I do: Which parts bring joy? Which parts feel like obligations? I keep what energizes me and remove what drags. Iteration is the secret to longevity.
Final Thoughts: Build a Better Morning Routine That Fits Your Life
A better morning routine is not about comparison or competition. It’s about building tiny practices that make you feel more alive, more focused, and more present. Start small. Protect your time. Celebrate little wins. Be flexible and compassionate with yourself. Over time, those small choices compound into a life that feels more aligned with your values and goals.
If you take one thing from this long guide, let it be this: consistency beats intensity. A five-minute habit every morning is more powerful than an unsustainable two-hour ritual you quit after two weeks. Design a better morning routine around what you actually will do, not what looks impressive on Instagram.
FAQs For Morning Routines
How do I start a better morning routine if I am not a morning person?
Start with two minutes of intentional presence — notice one thing you can see, one thing you can taste, and one thing you can touch. Gradually add one more habit, like a five-minute stretch or a short gratitude entry. The idea is to start small and build consistency rather than force an early wake-up that you can’t sustain.
What if I can’t exercise in the morning — can I still have a better morning routine?
Absolutely. Movement is a great anchor, but it’s not mandatory. A better morning routine can center on breathing, gratitude, journaling, reading, or planning. Pick the elements that give you energy and align with your goals.
How long should a better morning routine take?
There’s no one-size-fits-all. My routines range from 15 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the day. Consistency matters more than duration. If you can reliably do 15–30 minutes daily, you’ll see real benefits.
How do I keep my phone from derailing my morning routine?
Place your phone out of sight, turn off non-essential notifications, and make a rule to not check messages or social media until you complete your core morning practices. Use apps only as tools for guided workouts or meditations, not as portals to distraction.
What should I journal about in the morning?
I recommend a combination of a mood check-in ("I feel..."), a "I deserve a high five because..." statement for encouragement, a brain dump to clear your mind, and five present-tense "I have..." statements to focus on manifestation. Adjust the prompts to what helps you most.
How do I stay consistent with my better morning routine during life changes?
Accept that the routine will need to adapt and intentionally scale it down rather than ditch it. Keep one micro-habit (two minutes of gratitude, a five-minute walk, one journal sentence) and build from there when you can. Compassion and flexibility are key.
Can a better morning routine really improve my productivity?
Yes. The combination of movement, mental clarity through journaling, and planning makes decision-making easier and helps prioritize deep work. When I follow my morning routine, I complete my top priorities faster and with less stress.
Want to Try It with Me?
If you’re curious about building a better morning routine but don’t know where to start, pick one small habit today and commit to it for seven days. Maybe it’s five minutes of stretching, writing one gratitude, or reading a single page. After seven days, add another small habit. Layering small wins is how I built my better morning routine, and it’s how most of my clients and friends get sustainable results. I’d love to hear what you choose — send me a message on Instagram at Brittany Miller Socials and tell me what small habit you started. We can celebrate together.
Thanks for reading. Here’s to mornings that feel like a gift and to building a better morning routine that actually fits your life.
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00:00 Intro
1:00 Backstory
4:00 Working with a life coach
8:50 Routine start
13:10 Reflections/books
16:15 Secret project
17:35 Reading
19:15 Journaling
25:00 Planner
27:40 Grayson is home
29:00 Summary
30:00 Affirmations
33:00 Meditation
34:50 Wrap up
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