Want mornings that feel more peaceful and less rushed? These fall-inspired habits will help you start your day on the right foot—without sacrificing that warm cup of tea or coffee! 🍵😁
We all have areas in our lives where we want to get things done quickly or “get in the zone” faster. Routines are the effortless solution.
When we automate pieces of our lives with routines we:
- remove decision fatigue
- become more efficient
- we can relax into the rhythm of what’s ahead
I have routines for all areas of my life, one of my favorites is my morning routine. This piece of my day changes based on the season of the year and also the life season I am in.
Right now it is fall moving into winter and I have teens and a 10 year old that I am homeschooling. My morning routine reflects these informative pieces and yours should reflect what is unique to you.
If your routines feel stifling or restrictive it may be because they need a bit of adjustment for this season. Let’s look at this season and some changes that we might need to make.
In another post I shared my Morning Routine Basics 1 — so I will just do a quick overview of the basic pieces of my morning routine.
- self-care & ready for the day (shower, dressed, bed made)
- morning walk (3-4 days a week depending on my schedule)
- time to myself (hot tea, journaling, reading)
- breakfast with my kids
- household tasks (also pets and farm animals fed)
- prep for the day
I let each day have its own rhythm because no two are ever the same. Every week comes with its highs and lows, and I roll with whatever makes sense that day. I’ve got my “must-do” list, and then there’s the “it’d be great if I could squeeze this in” list. It keeps things flexible and calmer.
5 Reasons to Adjust Your Morning Routine for Fall/Winter:
- Shorter Days, Longer Nights
- The sun is sleeping in too—so embrace a slower morning!
- Give yourself time to wake up with the daylight (or lack of it).
- Immune System Boost
- Morning light can make all the difference for energy, so open those curtains early…or stand in the yard enjoying the sunlight.
- Cold weather means cold season, so build in time for a healthy breakfast, a glass of water, and maybe some extra Vitamin C.
- Weather Surprises
- Give yourself a few extra minutes to defrost both your car and your brain—make room for unexpected delays and save yourself from feeling frantic.
- Cozy Season is Here
- Fall is all about comfort—add some cozy touches to your mornings and start the day feeling snuggled, not scrambled.
- Swap your quick summer smoothie for a hot cup of tea or coffee and let yourself enjoy those extra moments.
- Purchase some baked goods that you can enjoy in the mornings — or bake them the night before.
- Holidays on the Horizon
- Adjust your routine to include a little holiday prep, so we can make space for joy…and maybe some Fall or Christmas music to set the tone! 🎄
Changing plans and redoing routines does not mean failure. We all have to pivot and do what is best for right now.
Include the senses:
smell / touch / taste / sound / sight / pacing
I recommend using your senses to embrace your routines in a new way. But don’t make it too complicated. I do not need piles of stuff to accomplish my routines well. I just need a few triggers for my senses to get in the mode of what I am doing.
- light a cinnamon candle
- use a nice lotion on your hands or a special face wash
- have tea or coffee ready to make (with fun mix ins)
- listen to a specific podcast, playlist, or morning audio devotional2
- have a soft blanket waiting for you at your kitchen chair
- pumpkin muffins or Grandma’s banana bread recipe3
- adjust the pacing to make the most of your time — Ex: I quickly brush my teeth, shower, and get dressed so that I have more time to linger when I am journaling.
When we include the senses we experience things on a deeper level. Our amazing brains are constantly checking for environmental input that changes how we react.
Add in one thing that would bring a smile to your face each morning.
“Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.” 4
Reflection Questions:
How do your mornings currently make you feel—rushed, calm, or somewhere in between?
What’s one small change you can make to start your day more intentionally this fall?
I’ve learned that starting my day on my own terms is a game-changer.
I need that quiet time to myself—just me, a shower, getting dressed, sipping some hot tea in a dark kitchen, listening to my Lectio 365, and journaling. If the day kicks off with someone needing something from me before I’ve even felt remotely human, things tend to go downhill fast. But when I take care of myself first, I’ve got so much more to give.
Adjusting your fall/winter morning routine will help you be the best version of yourself. It will prepare you for the day so you can make a positive impact on this hurting world. How can you prioritize your well-being in the first moments of your day, before giving your energy to others?
Take the time to write out some ideas and experiment with what works for you in this season. You are worth it and your mornings matter!
🍵You got this! – April
1 Morning Routine Basics– check out this most for more ideas in building morning routines
2 Lectio 365 is my favorite. They have daily prayers and devotions lead by pastors and leaders all over the world.
3 Here are my favorite breakfast recipes — simple and delicious
4 “Environment is the invisible hand that shapes human behavior.” – Atomic Habits by James Clear
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