Commuting is bad enough already. And it’s made worse when you’re frustrated with how little time you have to get to the office. That feeling of rushing out the door to work in the morning? Not so fun.
So, what are you to do in a world where teleportation isn’t in line with the laws of physics? What do you do in the meantime, until we have shuttles that zoom us from homes to work? How do you make rushing out the door a thing of the past?
Don’t fret. The key lies in automating your morning routine so you don’t have to think about it all at all and you get out the door ASAP. The following tips will help you craft a quick morning routine that lets you get ready in the AM stress-free and with time to spare.
Here’s how to craft a quick morning routine.
The night before, prep what you’ll eat first thing in the morning
How big of a breakfast person you are is a matter of personal preference. But there’s no denying that preparing what you’ll eat the next day, especially first thing in the morning, will be a win.
Make for a quick morning routine by boiling your eggs the night before. Aim for overnight oats or prep some chia pudding and store it in the fridge for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
Load up the coffee machine at bedtime
While we’re on the topic of preparing meals, make sure to prepare your coffee as well. There’s something almost magical about waking up and just pushing a button and having it ready to go. If you’d like, you can also opt for a coffee machine with an automatic timer so that it starts brewing your cup of jo as the exact hour you want it each morning.
Lay out your clothes the night before
Do a mental run-through of what you’ll wear the night before. It can be as simple as thinking about it as you’re going to sleep. Hang your dress by the door. Have your jacket ready to go by the front door. Planning your outfit the night before will mean one less thing you have to think about when you’re groggy in the AM and squinting at the sunlight.
Perfect your minimalist morning beauty routine
Are you wasting time trying to do a liquid lipstick in the AM? While the beauty enthusiast in us might want a carefully-lined lip color or the sharpest eyeliner, it’s best to opt for the makeup look we can do in just a few, short minutes.
Think about the types of products you’re using, too. Are you using a moisturizer that takes just a tad too long to fully absorb? Could you opt for a day of dry shampoo in lieu of washing your hair each day?
Rely on the two-bag workweek system
No one likes rummaging through their workbag only to find that they left something at home. To avoid this, try relying on a single workbag during the week, along with a mini-bag with your key essentials.
This way, you can quickly swap out your essentials bag (with your wallet, your compact, lip balm, keys) during after hours or on the weekend without having to take things in and our of your workbag.
Set your morning alarm on repeat
Raise your hand if you’re part of the 7-alarm clock system. That is, you have multiple alarms set throughout the morning (in case you inadvertently sleep through the first three…or four). Avoid this by having one alarm set on repeat during the work-week.
And—key here—place it far away from your bed so you don’t keep hitting the snooze button. You’ll want to actually get out of bed to turn it off.
Do a weekly check-in on your metro card/gas tank
In order to have a quick morning routine, you also have to cut down on any unnecessary errands you could take care of at another time. That means making sure you have money on your metro card and gas in your car. You don’t want to be ready to go and suddenly realize you have to wait in line to refuel or add more to your card.
Have your umbrella and keys by the door
Optimize your entryway for a successful dash-out-the-door scenario. Have your umbrella by the door. Your workbag and your keys hanging on a hook by the door. Having what you need in a single location means less time spent rummaging through your closet, dresser or elsewhere.
Have a go-to emergency sweater or jacket
You know those days when it’s (unexpectedly) too cold and suddenly you’re running back up the stairs to dig through your closet to find something? Yeah—been there. Pick a color-neutral jacket or sweater and leave it by the front door or store it in your car. You’ll shave off a few minutes by being able to just grab it and go.
Remember, creating a quick morning routine comes down to planning ahead of time and having what you need at arm’s reach.
