I am a morning routine gal. Every morning I try to wake up as early as I can (which isn't always as early as I'd like), and I perform a series of tasks that are the same. Every. Day.

First thing's first - I pee. Not in my bed or anything. So I guess the first thing is I leave my bed. I won't pretend like sometimes the first thing isn't to check my phone. Sometimes, it is. I try not to, though. I try to always take a few sips of the water I leave on my bedside nightstand, and then I get up to pee. I find it funny how our bodies work like clocks in that way. The first sensation I feel upon waking is the need to pee.

After the morning ritual that never waivers, I make my bed. You've all read the internet tips and little book blurbs that say making your bed everyday is good for like the soul or something. Maybe it's the ego? It's good for something, I know that. Truthfully, the reason I do it is to prevent myself from getting back into it. I'm lucky enough (still live with my mom at 29 years old) to have a large enough bedroom to fit a couch, so on the mornings I feel I'm not ready to venture down the stairs, I'll move to the couch--this allows me further rest without the risk of falling back asleep. If i'm on a book kick, I'll read; and, if i'm not, i'll scroll. I'm literally just a girl.

After that, I go downstairs and press the brew button on the coffee pot I prepared the night before (omg, now I have to write about a nighttime routine... later, though). While that's brewing I open the blinds and prepare the watering can for the potted plants on the front and back porches.

Recently, like, in the last 6 months or so, I've really taken to the idea of homesteading. And, while true homesteading is a far-off dream for me (aye, but, as long as it takes, right?), I am currently lucky enough to have a yard large enough for a small garden. At the moment, I'm currently growing zucchini, crookneck squash, purple cherokee heirloom tomatoes, various different peppers, and a handful of different herbs. All of that is growing quite strong and I'm quite proud of myself. I've now been able to keep some cats and some fruits and veggies alive. Kids should be a breeze someday. ;)

I'll usually pour up my coffee with some perfectly frothed vanilla oatmilk and mosey on out to the garden with my coffee mug in one hand, my watering can in another, and some knock-off Target wellies on my feet. Taking care of my garden has become my favorite part of my morning routine because it is truly magical to watch the growth of the things you planted from seed in real time; i'm a proud squash momma.

Once all the kids are watered, and the oldest of our kitties has been let outside (she likes to sit on a chair on our shaded deck and soak up the fresh air. She also likes to take a shower under the basil plant after it's been watered - weirdo), I bring my laptop, planner, journal, and my bible-study guide outside to sit at our cute high-top table and chairs. I'm able to catch the morning breeze before it gets too hot, and pray over the morning all before my family has gotten up.

Now, would my life really be worse if I didn't do these things? Well, tbh, yeah. It would. And here's why: those daily tasks are my me-time. It's the couple uninterrupted hours in the early morning that I'm unbugged, unbothered, and fully focused on the things that I love. Not the obligations to my family, or to my job, or to the household chores (I personally categorize watering the plants into the hobbies realm). It's often times two full hours of getting to pretend I live by myself in the Scottish countryside (or as much like the Scottish countryside as middle Tennessee can possibly seem - hey, let a morning routine gal dream, okay?). And, on the days I need to sleep in, whether that's because I'm sick, feeling lazy, or simply had a later night at work the evening before, I wake up grumpy because I missed my opportunity for those uninterrupted hours. I wake up feeling like I missed out on my favorite part of the day. My whole day is often thrown off because I didn't get my slow morning to myself. And, if you're thinking to yourself, "wow, you must be pretty fragile if missing out on watering plants can ruin your whole day", to that I say, "yeah... I know".

Anyway, for those of you who don't have a morning routine, I 10/10 highly recommend. Maybe not my morning routine, but certainly construct one of your own filled with tasks that make you feel like you're waking up in the Scottish countryside or whatever it is that tickles your fancy. Watch firsthand what a couple of hours of whatever it is that makes you happy (and don't say sleep through it) can do for your mood on a daily basis. Watch what reliance on the the routine of the same tasks every morning can do for your brain and for your serotonin levels and thank me later.