My 5:00 AM wake-up routine
The Sunday EDIT | No. 22
Good morning from my walking desk!
It's 5:45 AM, and I'm already up and at 'em. This year, I'm determined to make the most of my mornings. I've always been an early bird (5:30 AM is my usual wake-up time), but lately, I've fallen into the trap of scrolling on my phone and before I know it, it's 6:00 AM and I'm rushing to squeeze in all the "me time" I can before Leena wakes up around 6:45/7:00.
Ever tried showering with a toddler who insists you keep the shower door open? Yeah, not fun. My goal is to avoid those chilly morning moments, which means getting serious about how I spend my time. So, I've been setting my alarm for 5:00 AM and using Mel Robbins' 5 Second Rule to get myself out of bed, even when it feels like the coziest place on earth. (It's simple and really works: count down 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... blast off! Then, immediately do the thing you've been avoiding.)
If you’re curious what my ideal morning routine looks like now —
Here's the lowdown:
5:00 AM: Wake up, chug 20 ounces of water, brush my teeth, tongue scrape, splash water on my face, bathroom break, and throw on some comfy clothes.
5:15 AM: Quick calendar check to see what's on the agenda and jot down my top 3 priorities for the day (work or personal).
5:25 AM: This varies! Most days it’s a quick 20-30 minute Sculpt Society workout. Others it's journaling, stretching/foam rolling, or a walk on my treadmill while listening to a podcast.
6:00 AM: Time for a chill playlist, supplements, more water (sometimes with a squeeze of lemon), tidying up the kitchen, prepping for the day (lunch packing, smoothie ingredients).
6:30 AM: Shower time! I've found that if I don't shower before taking Leena to school, it just doesn’t happen until much later in the day. Plus, another goal this year is to get dressed in real clothes every day, and showering at noon doesn't exactly help with that.
6:50 AM: That first delicious sip of coffee — there’s something about enjoying it sans toddler that makes it taste so much better.
And there you have it – my whole morning routine before 7:00 AM.
Does it happen perfectly every day? Nope. Especially since I'm still getting used to this earlier wake-up time. But it gives me a framework and helps me make the most of my mornings.
That's the key to reaching our goals, right? Having the structure to consistently take action. This routine helps me feel less chaotic later in the day, which does wonders for my stress levels, hormones, digestion... and just generally makes me a happier person to be around.
I'm curious, how do YOU prioritize 'me time' in your day, even with a busy schedule? Any tips or tricks you've learned along the way?
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2025 INs & OUTs
I had a lot of fun creating a post about this on Instagram, but it felt incomplete. Plus I always wonder who actually sees it thanks to the algorithm.
2025 INs
5a wake-ups
6pm dinners
Prioritizing creativity
Nurturing connections (family, friends, networking)
Weekly sauna sessions
10 minutes of sunlight before 10am
Alcohol free weekends at least once a month
Shopping my closet before making a purchase
Styling my clothes, not just wearing them
Time blocking work tasks & using Asana more
Putting my phone out of reach after 8pm
Reading more (which putting my phone away should help enforce)
2025 OUTs
Plastics
Seed oils
Spontaneous, unnecessary purchases (especially from Amazon)
Obsessing over protein (yes, it’s important, but so are vegetables!)
Gluten (I’ve been eating more and my labs show I really shouldn’t be…)
Multi-tasking and busywork
Obsessing over social media posts & trending audio
The Mickey Mouse Christmas album that’s still on repeat daily on our drive to school (at least until December…)
Do any of these resonate with you too?
xx Erin
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