One of my favourite magazine features is a regular single page in US health magazine Self called Up & Out in which a woman – often with a health-related job – shares her morning routine and the things that get her up and out the door in the morning. I love that it’s a little bit nosy and a lot inspiring. It got me thinking about my morning routine, which I pledged to improve last year (here if you missed it).

When I wrote that post I was working mostly from home. Things have changed and I’m currently working in an office in North London around three days a week, which comes with a commute of around an hour door to door each way. I aim to do an exercise class around three mornings a week (it doesn’t always work out like that of course!) either on my way to the office or early enough that I can be up and out and back home and at my desk ready for a 9am start on days when I’m working from home.

My routine really depends on whether I have an early exercise class and if I’m coming back home afterwards or whether I’m heading on to the office. Regardless I usually wake up before my alarm (sometimes WAY before). I try not to check my phone before all else and the strategy that’s working for me was inspired by a yoga class I went to earlier this summer. The teacher asked us to pick a card from this Art of Attention deck and use the words on the card as a focus for the class. When I spotted the cards for sale at a yoga studio a couple of days later I treated myself to a deck, it seemed like fate. Shortly after waking I reach for the pack and draw a card, taking note of the words and maybe even throwing down the yoga pose in the picture. Then I check my phone.

If I know I’ve got to be out of the door to go to a class and then on to the office I shower the night before, if not next I’ll jump in the shower, using a zesty shower gel to wake me up. Then I’ll make myself a coffee in a cafetiere (it feels more of a treat that way). The coffee is non-negotiable. If I have more time I’ll make a juice – I’m currently favouring some combination of apple, carrot, cucumber, pear, romaine lettuce and ginger.

After cleansing and moisurising, I do my make up which is a quick routine of BB cream, mascara and a slick of colour on my lips. I’m trying very hard to get into the routine of packing my work and gym bags the night before, which makes for a much smoother start to the day. If I haven’t the next however long I’ve got will be spent running around gathering keys, purse, phone, headphones, exercise kit and whatever else I need for the day. Weirdly on days when I don’t have an exercise class and have more time to get ready I find myself running late. I have no idea why, can anyone explain?!

What gets you up and out the door? Do share below.

{Shop The Post}