Before quarantine happened, my morning routine was a blur. I was just rushing to shower, get dressed, and leave the house so I won't be late for my work. I didn't even eat breakfast because I was the type who liked to savor every bite of my meal—I couldn't afford that during weekday mornings.
It became a totally different scenario when the quarantine period started, and I began working from home. At first, I found a hard time adjusting. I woke up minutes before I needed to time in at work, and I usually felt grumpy every morning.
I didn't want my mornings to stay that way for the rest of 2020. I knew I had to do something. a friend who has been working from home for years told me that having a routine helped him create structure and mentally ready to work. I binge-watched a.m. routines on YouTube and took notes of the stuff I could do.
Thoughts about the uncertainty were always in my head: It's hard to believe that you'll have a good day ahead when you live in a world that is facing a global pandemic. "Starting your day right" sounded like an impossible task. It took a lot of trial and error before I found the habits that really helped me avoid having "sumpong" in the morning.
Here's a glimpse of my quarantine morning routine:
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I *try* to get good sleep the night before.
This item technically affected bedtime, but it had a great impact on how I start my day. One of the changes I made to uplift my mood every day was getting blackout curtains for my room. I slept earlier, better, and I never wake up with the sunlight piercing through my eyes. 11/10 it was life-changing.
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I do a quick workout.
LOL, I know. Very YouTuber! I have no plans of getting quarantoned, but I didn't want to be sedentary. I squeeze in a 10 to 15-minute workout to wake up my body and mind.
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In case you're curious, here's one of my fave workouts:
10 min Resistance Band Booty At Home Workout -
I listen to a podcast.
It is said that the brain is the most productive during mornings, so I listen to podcast episodes that will help enrich my mind. I always go for The Life Coach by Brooke Castillo or The Lavendaire Lifestyle. I play these while I shower.
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I change into ~*work clothes*~.
Wearing nice clothing helps me to be more mentally present. I found that when I dress up, I accomplish things faster and there's a lesser chance that I'll feel sluggish or lazy. I usually go for a day dress that's super comfy.
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I never forget my skincare regimen.
I rarely wear makeup, so I make sure to pay attention to my skin. I apply a hydrating toner (that also works as a serum) and a mattifying moisturizer. This two-step a.m. routine keeps my complexion glowing and healthy without taking so much of my time.
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I never skip sunscreen.
I have to admit that there are days when I'm too tamad to do my skincare, but I always make sure to apply sunscreen, even if I'm indoors. The UV rays still go through the windows, and gadget screens produce blue light that damages the skin. I go for lightweight formulas so my face won't feel sticky or greasy.
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I drink coffee!
I'm one of those who like the taste of coffee in the morning—I don't need it to function or wake me up. A current favorite is this one from Hello Glow. It aids in digestion and it has collagen that helps switch on my skin's natural radiance.
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My routine now is more relaxed and intentional. Every step has a purpose, and I am mentally and emotionally present as I do it. There days when I skip some steps (except the sunscreen part, applying SPF is so important for me!), but I've been pretty much consistent. Having a routine provides structure to start my day right. I'm proud to say that I can be productive, even while at home.
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