Call me crazy, but I love nothing more than waking up early. Weekend or not, I prefer slow mornings in which I can give myself the time to get ready for the day ahead while feeling calm and level-headed. My working weekday morning routines aren’t too different; simply a condensed version of this routine here. I find it’s better to begin the day with a calm mindset than to scurry around like a headless chicken.
Some weekends I might fancy waking up naturally. Some weekends I want to to take things slower. However, generally, I love sticking to a routine on the weekends I plan on working my way through a to-do list.
So, to the routine. They say your morning routine starts the night before. You want to wake up early? Go to bed early. I plan on writing up a night-time routine at some point. If anything, it will simply unveil my inner-80-year-old woman; tucked up in bed by 9 pm with a book.
An Early Rise
Even though the weekends are when I don’t have to be anywhere, I don’t sleep them away. At least, not anymore. I tend to wake up around 5:30-6 am, depending on what time I end up going to sleep. My internal alarm usually rouses me 10 minutes before the irritating beeping plays, so waking up is never an issue.
I’m a morning person through and through. I relish in the quietness of the early-hours with nothing but the sound of the odd car outside. I’ve also found that I’m 10x more productive in the morning and love to get stuff done without delay.
I try to avoid checking my phone upon waking up, but I’ll admit that it’s a habit I’m still working on. The first thing I’ll do is drink some water. I have a 500ml bottle beside my bed to gulp down to quickly re-hydrate. I’ll then go through the general morning stuff: brushing my teeth, washing my face, moisturising. My go-to moisturiser atm is the Garnier Natural Green Tea Moisturiser which I don’t have one bad thing to say about.
I’ll then make my bed – this is a must. An untidy bed is an untidy mind.
Morning Workout
I’ve always preferred working out in the morning. Last year, I’d to the gym early in the mornings before it was packed and get it out of the way. Now, I start my day with either an at home HIIT workout or some yoga.
Over the past couple of months, I’ve been following along Adriene’s Yoga Challenges. Her easy directions and guidance on mindful practices have become a staple part of my morning routine. I tailor the intensity based on how I’m feeling that day. Some days I want to challenge myself; many practices target the core or test your balance. Other mornings I wake up wanting something light to simply stretch and get my blood flowing.
Working out in the morning always makes me feel ready to tackle the day. Yoga, in particular, has been incredible in terms of clearing away any niggling thoughts nesting in the back of my mind. I started out with the intention of it aiding my anxiety and I’ve found it helps immensely. Overall, working out in the morning is an easy way of incorporating fitness into your every-day life and leaves little room for excuses.
I’ll then hop in the shower, washing my hair every other day.
Eat the Frog
This is a really simple idea that you can put into practice to achieve more, day in day out. Hands up if after writing out your to-do list, you go straight for the smaller tasks because they’re easier, less intimidating and quicker. Guilty. Instead, now I eat the frog.
This entails starting the day with the biggest and most anxiety-inducing task. It’s the task I’m most likely going to procrastinate doing, but, it’s the one that usually leads to the most significant result. By working on this dreaded task first, I’ve started my day productively and already accomplished a small victory. This provides me with a boost motivation to keep ticking off the rest of the tasks which seem like a walk in the park in comparison. Although difficult, I try to just get it done. It’s a habit I’m still finding my stride with, but it works wonders for my mind, productivity and my overall mood. So, I either tackle some lesson planning or if I’m up to date with work, I might write some blog post ideas, book reviews or finish some uni work. It changes every day.
The Best Time of the Day
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, breakfast isn’t only the most important, but also the best time of day. Don’t argue with me on this. If you follow my Instagram, you will know that all I pretty much share are my messy breakfast creations and that I have the biggest sweet tooth.
Part of the reason I wake up early, regardless of whether it’s the weekend or not, is to ensure I have the time to make a delicious healthy breakfast. My breakfasts have transformed a lot from the bowl of bran flakes or slice of toast it used to be a couple of years ago. Now, I go to bed looking forward to rustling up a stack of pancakes, a portion of french toast, tucking into a loaded sweet potato, or, my favourite, a trusty bowl of porridge. Peanut butter and chocolate are always added in the equation somewhere along the line. Who says you can’t have chocolate in the morning?
Porridge is my go-to. It’s warm, filling, and if you have a sweet tooth like me, you can easily fool yourself into thinking you’re having dessert for breakfast. If you’re looking to spruce up your usual bland recipe, I shared a few tips on making the Perfect Porridge here.
The weekends, in particular, are the best time to indulge. There’s no better time make yourself some pancakes and kick off your day with a hearty meal.
Get Ready
Depending on what my plans are for the day, I’ll do my hair and makeup. If I’m planning on spending the day in the flat, I’ll stick to the basics. Otherwise, I’ll apply my makeup while streaming some Netflix or YouTube in the background. No matter what my plans are for the day, feeling at least slightly presentable makes me less likely to binge-watch Netflix in my pjs all day.
Reviewing my To-Do List and Starting the Day
I always write my to-do list the night before. So, after being dressed and ready, I’ll review my tasks and get to work. Again, not every weekend is like this. Obviously, there are days when I have plans or simply intend on doing nothing but drink tea and read a book in bed. However, in general, I’m the kind of person who loves being busy. I love the sense of achievement of ticking even the most mundane tasks off my list and I ensure that there’s downtime or self-care interests incorporated throughout the day.
What does your weekend morning routine look like? Be sure to let me know if you’d like to hear my night-time routine!
Thanks for reading,
Evie.
♥
Lucy says
Porridge is my go-to breakfast of choice too, I love the stuff! Usually I just pop some Nutella in and I’m good to go, but I love how you present yours and maybe I’ll try some peanut butter/banana!
Lucy | Forever September
eviejayne says
So good right?! I’m forever experimenting with new porridge combinations. I added mashed sweet potato to my baked porridge the other day and I can’t decide whether it was strange or pure genius haha. Thanks for reading! x
Souhaila says
I love waking up early on weekends too,I have plenty of time to do all the things I couldn’t do on weekdays and do everything on a slower pace.
Your breakfast looks so delicious,I like to treat myself to a croissant or make pancakes on Saturdays.
Todaysouhaila.blogspot.com
eviejayne says
Exactly! An entire day to get through the tasks you couldn’t get through during the week. I feel as if pancakes on the weekend are a must! Thanks for reading x
Audrey says
I like to wake up the same time on the weekend as the weekday as well! A lot of my friends like sleeping in over the weekend to make up for lost sleep during the weekday, but I love waking up at the same time and feeling like I have “extra” time to enjoy the morning since I don’t have to rush off to run errands. Plus, I imagine that it feels harder to get back into the weekday if you sleep in over the weekend, but if you maintain the same sleeping habit throughout the week, ideally it’d feel a little more seamless!
Honestly, breakfast is such great motivation to wake up in the morning <3 Sometimes I just really crave a bowl of Frosted Flakes or honey nut cheerios. Sometimes I like making a fancy toast. Sometimes I have instant oatmeal. Or overnight oats. Occasionally pancakes. Maybe pull out frozen tater tots from the fridge. I love seeing your breakfasts on your Instagram! They all look so hearty and fancy even though I know that they're probably very simple to make! -Audrey | Brunch at Audrey’s
eviejayne says
Yeah exactly! Waking up at the same time on the weekends means it’s not as difficult to wake up early for work during the week! Oh you’re making me hungry again thinking about breakfasts haha. Thank you so much! They’re always super simple, I just love playing with different toppings and flavours etc. Thanks for reading! x
glowsteady says
Oh wow we could not be more different. I’m such an evening person! I can get up and moving if I really have to but it’s never my first choice. Frequently found sat up working at 2am, early starts are far from my favourite. But I’m also a fan of the slower morning so we have a slight issue there. I think it’s great that you can get up at that time of day even on a weekend. I LOVE your breakfast posts, I nearly started drooling when I saw those pancakes! x
Sophie
http://www.glowsteady.co.uk
eviejayne says
Haha I honestly sometimes wish I was an evening person, I’m always knackered by 10pm on the weekends! Thank you so much! Feel like pancakes are a MUST on the weekend, thanks for reading! x
ellieslondon says
I have to say I love my weekend morning routine just the same – although granted my weekend is not always Saturday and Sunday. I too am more productive in the morning time too and over the last year I have made myself a morning person (it is possible!) I spent so many years with my most productive hours being between 1am and 3! I like to cook a good breakfast too on my days off – and usually tend to get down to some writing not long after waking up. I have a day off tomorrow and I can’t wait!
Aki! says
Those pancakes look divine. I’d love to have something like that on a weekday morning!
7% Solution</
Ellaine says
Hi Evie! I missed visiting your blog! Now I have more time. And as always, your food photog are still lovely as before!!! Makes me want to eat!! BTW, you really are a good doer of productive things. I now see myself as a lazy mom. Hahaha!!
Ellaine | Sunday Chic
eviejayne says
Thank you so much! Haha don’t worry, not every day is quite so productive! x
Lauren says
I love this routine! I really want to start waking up earlier because there already aren’t enough hours in my day! Plus I always feel like I don’t have time for a good filling breakfast so tend to go small or skip altogether, something I really need to change. Love this post!
eviejayne says
Waking up early can be a difficult habit to get into, but so worth it! Breakfasts are honestly the highlight of my day sometimes haha, thank you!
Nancy says
I love that you incorporate a morning workout during the weekends! Weekends are usually my rest days, hehe. It is good that you tackle your to-do list! We get so limited time during the weekends. Love your breakfast by the way! Thanks for sharing your routine!
Nancy ♥ exquisitely.me
eviejayne says
I love tackling the tasks which I don’t get around to during the week! Thank you!
Luke Heywood says
Yass I love porridge!
I love finding out how other people spend their weekends.
Great post!
Luke | http://www.lukeheywoodstyle.co.uk
eviejayne says
So good! Thank you!
Amie. (@acurvyvegan) says
Saturday morning pancakes in my house! They’re my favourite!
lucymarytaylor says
You’re bloody good at waking up so early on weekends! I barely make it out of bed before 10am! I’m more of a productive person on weekday rather than weekends, I make my weekends a time to be lazy and just chill! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
eviejayne says
I find that work consumes my whole week so the weekend is the perfect time to do everything I couldn’t get around to! But I do enjoy a chill weekend x
Lindsey says
I’m feeling so inspired now! I’ve just pretty much had a wasted day today and I’m really regretting it, but reading this is making me want to plan things for next weekend. I’m also a morning person, although I’ve been struggling with exhaustion lately so been trying to get a bit of extra sleep at the weekend, but would definitely much rather get up and go. Great post.
eviejayne says
Sleep should always be a priority! As long as I go to bed early enough, I can wake up early and tackle the to-do list. Not every day is so productive though haha. Thank you!
Ray says
Oh I eat the frog too! lol It feels great when you accomplish the most exhausting or daunting task of the day, everything else on your list seems easy.
And I also love to wake up early in the morning! I love those calm hours, and the feeling that I have a full day ahead to do everything I need to do. Although, sometimes, as I currently work from home, it gets hard to motivate myself to wake up early, so I tend to sleep in late, but I try my best to not make a habit out of it.
eviejayne says
Exactly! It’s never easy getting started, but it always feels amazing once it’s done! I’d probably be the same if I were to work from home, that’s why I ensure to write a list of tasks the night before so I know exactly what I need to wake up and do. Thanks for reading!
Melissa says
I’m a morning person too! I crash at night so getting up before everyone else and “eating the frog” is the only way to have a productive day in my world. The gym though has been the biggest game changer for me in the early hours. If I can do that before anyone else wakes up I feel accomplished…even if the rest of the day goes downhill. ? So glad that there are others out there up and at it before the sun.
Michelle says
I like that you start the day with the hardest task. I need to start doing that. Otherwise I just keep putting it off until it doesn’t get done at all! Great post!
poutineandprada says
I’m not much of a morning person. I sleep in a bit and then spend at least an hour drinking coffee and reading:)
Miss Katie says
Your routine is amazing! I really wish that I could wake up early and make it a habit. I love my sleep. When I sleep in it slows the whole day down, though. Before you know it, half the day is gone!
Jen Dollente says
I love this post! I need to train myself to be an early riser! ?
https://jendbibliophile.wordpress.com
eviejayne says
Haha it’s definitely a struggle at first, but so worth it!
Julia says
I wish I had some kind of natural inclination to wake up early. Especially 5.30-6am! I really am a night owl and as much as I want to wake up early so I can get loads done, I just stay up too late and then end up sleeping in on weekends.
Julia // The Sunday Mode
eviejayne says
Haha waking up early isn’t for everyone! Sometimes I wish I could be a night owl because I’m always exhausted by 9pm! Thanks for reading x
nimabi says
Thank you very much for sharing, I learned a lot from your article. Very cool. Thanks. nimabi
binance bonus za prijavo says
Can you be more specific about the content of your article? After reading it, I still have some doubts. Hope you can help me. https://www.binance.info/sl/join?ref=W0BCQMF1
odpri racun na binance says
Your point of view caught my eye and was very interesting. Thanks. I have a question for you. https://www.binance.info/sl/join?ref=YY80CKRN
binance signup says
Thank you for your sharing. I am worried that I lack creative ideas. It is your article that makes me full of hope. Thank you. But, I have a question, can you help me?