Mornings are not my favorite. I’m a night owl and I can stay up for hours at night. I definitely feel the most energetic and the most motivated at night! Because I stay up late each night, I had to find a way to make my mornings easier before heading to work. In this post, I share 13 nightly habits that have helped me have easier mornings.

I started incorporating a consistent nightly routine a few months ago to help me get out the door feeling organized and on time for work. I  started a nightly routine because in the mornings I used to hit snooze over and over and I would ended up with just a few minutes to get myself and daughter ready before work.  Below, I share 13 nightly habits that have helped me have easier mornings. If you don’t already practice these nightly habits in your nightly routine, you need to! Easier mornings get you to start the day smoothly by being organized and on time. No need to make decisions on outfit of the day, breakfast, lunch, and more in the morning when you do it the night before. These 13 nightly habits work great for morning persons, non-morning persons, students, parents, and even for those who work from home. Keep reading to start having easier mornings!

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1. Clean up

This means wipe down all surfaces in kitchen and bathroom and pick up toys and things from all rooms. By cleaning and picking up the night before, you don’t have to do any of it in the morning! Waking up to a clean home is a great feeling. I start with the kitchen each night and work from there. I start by washing dishes and cleaning the sink. I then wipe down the counters and kitchen table with a spray bottle that has equal parts of water and distilled vinegar. I like to, also, wipe down the bathroom sink and surfaces in bathroom with the same half water and half distilled vinegar cleaning solution.  After cleaning, I pick up all rooms and sweep the floors. I only vacuum twice a week.

 2. Evaluate day

Take a moment to review what you got done for the day and what wasn’t done. Take this moment to also reflect on your day and come up with ideas on how to improve yourself. Aim to thrive. Ask yourself: How did today go? What did you learn? How can tomorrow be better? 

3. Plan to-do list for tomorrow

There’s no better way than starting your morning with a plan for a the day. With a to-do list, you stay focused and organized on what needs to be done. I love using my Erin Condren Life Planner to plan for every day. This is also a great way to not procrastinate. If it’s written down to be done today, get it done and don’t worry about it later.

4. Pick out your outfit for the next day

Minimize your decisions in the morning by picking out your outfit for the next day. This includes your work clothes and work out clothes (if you exercise in the morning). Make sure to include everything that you will need in the morning such as clothes, socks, undergarments, accessories, work badge, coat, gloves, etc. For me, this step is fairly quick. I wear scrubs to work everyday. I make sure to put my keys in my jacket’s pocket the night before. By putting my keys in my jacket, there’s no way I’ll be forgetting my car keys inside the house.

5. Pack your lunch

For me, if I don’t pack my lunch the night before, I end up with no lunch in the morning (and needing to order from work) or just taking a can of soup to work because I have no motivation to pack a lunch in the morning. Since I’m vegetarian, I try to pack my lunch every single night. It’s easier to make more food for dinner to have leftovers for lunch the next day.  I use meal prep food containers from Amazon. In the morning, all you’ll have to do is grab your lunch and go without thinking about it if you pack it the night before.

6. Plan breakfast

I know many people who skip breakfast. I’m a true believer that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast is my favorite and I never skip it. I eat oatmeal with a side of fruit every morning! I leave a bowl, package of instant oatmeal, and a banana by the stove each night. By planning your breakfast, it will make it easier for you to eat breakfast!

7. Gather things you need by the door

I leave through my back door from the kitchen each morning, so I leave my daughter’s diaper bag, my purse, and our coats and shoes in the kitchen each night. While I’m gathering things the night before, I also look through the diaper bag and make sure it has enough diapers, wipes, extra clothes, etc. I suggest gathering all the things that you will need to take with you out the house by the door you exit. By doing this, you won’t forget anything in the morning because it will be in sight on your way out to work. Avoid needing to look for your keys, work badge or anything else last-minute.

8. Personal Hygiene

Take care of yourself. This goes without saying- remove makeup, shower, wash teeth, floss, apply lotion, apply moisturizer, put on Chapstick. I like to shower at night to go to bed feeling relaxed and not to have to worry about making time for it in the morning. I like to sleep every last-minute that I have, so showering at night works for me.

9. Check notifications

Okay, this habit you won’t see in others’ nightly habits. As a blogger, I work on my blog and respond to E-mails and comments at night because that’s the only time I have during the week when I’m working full-time outside the home. Then again, who doesn’t check their phone each night? Get through those E-mails, and get it done!

10. Unplug

This means disconnect from social media, and any bright screens. Get your eyes ready for bed.

11. Set alarm

This habit is pretty simple but very important.

12. Read

Unwind by reading a book. Try to avoid reading from a screen and choose a paperback copy. Reading everyday (not necessarily at night) is a powerful habit practiced by several of successful people. Reading can improve your vocabulary and expand your focus. I feel that by reading, my body and eyes get ready for bed and it also makes me feel relaxed.

13. Sleep earlier

Try to get 6-8 hours of sleep per night. As a night owl, this is something I struggle with and my toddler seems to be a night owl as well! (not good). Although, I can’t go to sleep until my toddler sleeps, I do try to aim to go to sleep at the latest at 11pm and wake up at 7:10am.

I hope this posts inspires you to brainstorm some nightly habits for you to incorporate in your life for easier mornings. What are your nightly habits? Leave a comment below.