More Organized Mornings
Here are some great tips for more organized mornings. Are your mornings chaotic? Do you want them to move more smoothly? Here are some tips to help you do just that.
1. Plan ahead.
Develop the habit of preparing for the next day the evening before. That will not only give you a head start for the day, but will get your body in the habit of slowing down to fall asleep when you want it to. Realize you can’t work or play until you fall into bed exhausted. Exercise is great, but earlier in the day, not right before bed. Your mind and your body need to relax after the busy day to get a good night’s sleep, that’s a big plus toward an organized morning.
The length of time required to prepare will depend on family size, and what the next day holds for each person. Start with 30 minutes to an hour, making adjustments as necessary. Also note that planning is done by each family member mature enough to do it, not by Mom or Dad alone, though someone will have to take the lead.
2. Select tomorrow’s clothing.
Does work require a suit, business casual, or casual? Is this a tennis or golf day? Will someone volunteer at the food pantry? Will the children need school uniforms, or more sturdy clothes for a field trip? What about sport uniforms or dance outfits for after school?
Select clothing and set it out where each person dresses. Check for missing buttons, broken zippers, rips, or stains. Those problems are more easily corrected in the evening.
3. Prepare tomorrow’s food.
Prepare and refrigerate lunch boxes in the evening when time is more relaxed. Part or all of breakfast may be fixed at the same time. This minimizes cleanup: two meals, one cleanup.
In addition, set the table for breakfast. More time for breakfast means a more readily digested breakfast.
4. Collect tomorrow’s needed items.
What goes to work, reports or contracts? Put it all in the business case(s). What goes to school, homework, or projects? Put those in the book pack(s). Is anyone going to the doctor? Bag the patient’s prescriptions and over-the- counter medicines; remember to include all of them. Any questions for the doctor are written out and included with the medicines. Does anything need to be picked up? Make sure the ‘picker’ has the needed ticket or receipt. Does the tennis player have his racket, the golfer her golf bag, the canasta player his cards? Try to think all this through before going to bed.
Stage these things by the door. Set them in order as needed, and in tote bags or containers to keep everything together. For example, if Dad leaves first, his items will sit at the door. Those leaving next have their items behind Dad’s. If Mom leaves last, her things are at the end of the line. Each person’s pack is waiting for them as they leave. Everything is in order, nothing is left behind.
5. Wake up refreshed.
When the clock goes off, do not push the snooze alarm. If you got to bed early enough, that won’t be necessary. Even if you didn’t, don’t push the snooze alarm, and don’t jump out of bed immediately. Instead, do easy stretches, like a cat does. While stretching, think gratitude, be grateful for another day, for another chance to succeed and be happy. That way when you do get out of bed, you’ll feel great. Continue feeling great by remembering how you prepared the night before; there’s no need to rush this morning.
As you get up, make your bed. This takes little effort, yet gives lots of benefits. It makes the room neater; it keeps people from fussing, and it makes the bed feel oh so nice when you climb into it at night. If children are too young to make their own beds, let them ‘help’ until they can do it alone. The earlier they develop this habit, the easier it will be for them, and you.
Another stress reducer is staggering awakenings and bathroom times. Not everyone can crowd in there at once, so stagger times to allow those leaving first to get into the bathroom(s) first. Whoever guides the rest of the family, leads the way. Last ones out of the house are the last ones in the bathroom(s). Make the schedule so each person has the time they need. Unless you live alone, consideration for others is the key.
6. Eat a healthy breakfast.
Don’t forget breakfast. Everyone needs a little fuel for the morning’s activities. Even those with small appetites can have coffee, juice or milk, toast or fruit, a hard boiled egg, something so they won’t leave the house on an empty stomach.
Since most or all of it was prepared the night before, breakfast doesn’t have to be rushed. There’s even time to wash the dishes or put them in the dishwasher.
7. Ready, set, go!
Finally, make sure the first person home has keys to get in the house. Have the last one leaving make sure the door is locked while everyone is away. As each person goes out the door, encourage them to tell the rest still home that they love them. Being organized is great for relationships.
Result: The previous night’s preparation smoothed the morning routine. Organization replaced chaos. Each person had ample time to dress, enjoy breakfast, collect his or her things, and leave on time, relaxed and eager to meet the challenges of the day.
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