The Morning Routine That’s Keeping Me Sane This Summer

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I’ve never been a 5 AM green juice kind of girl. If you are, I admire you — from a distance, while I’m still hanging on to my diet Sunkist and wondering if I brushed my hair. But this summer, something shifted. I realized I was starting each day in a chaotic, half-dressed spiral of emails, messy buns, and barely enough hydration to keep a cactus alive.

Not exactly the blueprint for success, right? So I decided to do something about it. Well, I decided to do one thing about it, then another, and then another. Now, it’s a routine!

This isn’t one of those blog posts where I pretend to have it all together. My mornings aren’t perfect. In fact, I don’t even attempt to keep all these in order anymore…I just try to work it all in. But they’ve gotten a whole lot better — and more peaceful — thanks to a few intentional changes I’ve made that are actually doable.

If you’ve been feeling the same kind of frazzled I was, maybe something here will help.

Step One: Business First (But Only Briefly)

I work from home running my Etsy shops and blog, and I’ve found that if I don’t knock out a few things first thing, they sit in the back of my brain like a buzzing fly. So as soon as I wake up, I grab some water (okay, sometimes it’s Diet Coke, Sunkist or a real Coke (eh hmm) … baby steps), and I check my business emails. I’ll answer any urgent messages and fulfill quick Etsy requests so I can mentally check that box and move on.

This only takes 15–20 minutes, but it helps clear the mental clutter before I step into the rest of my morning.

Step Two: A Peaceful Walk on the Prettiest Trail in Town

Next, I lace up my sneakers and head to our newly renovated local park. They really went all out this year — the walking trail now winds through a skate park, swimming pool, ball park, and soccer field, all surrounded by beautifully landscaped paths. It’s so peaceful. I try to go early enough so that I’m the only one there. It feels like my own private retreat in the middle of town.

I usually walk about 2,500–3,000 steps to begin with — nothing crazy, just enough to get my body moving and soak up some of that summer morning stillness. I listen to a podcast or an audiobook while I walk.

Right now, I’m planning to start Unwind by Neal Shusterman — my cousin swears I’ll love it. However, I did try another of his books — Scythe — that my cousin also recommended because I love dystopian thrillers, and I honestly couldn’t get through it. Idk, it got really boring during a part that I just couldn’t trudge through. Probably just me!

If you’re looking to start your own walking habit, don’t overthink it. It doesn’t have to be 10,000 steps or nothing. Even a quick stroll around the block with a good podcast can be a game-changer for your mental health.

A few years ago, I even started just walking around my house in short bursts. I am trying to do that again in addition to my morning walk becasue the steps really add up faster than you think.

Step Three: Water, Water, Water

Let’s talk about hydration. I don’t know what happened, but lately, I’ve been terrible at drinking enough water. Like, my body is 70% water and I’m somehow running on fumes. So I’ve made it a point to drink at least one full bottle between walking and yard work.

I won’t lie — it’s not glamorous. But staying hydrated has helped with my energy, mood, and even how snacky I feel in the afternoons. I try to sip on it all day. It’s a work in progress, but I’m getting better.

Step Four: Taming the Backyard Jungle

After my walk, I head straight to the backyard. I live on a fixer-upper property with a big ol’ yard that has never been landscaped. It’s wild out there — think weeds, uneven patches, and grass that grows like it’s trying to win a competition. Oh, and as you can see, a half-falling down fence!

Check back next year for after pics!

But instead of feeling overwhelmed, I’ve made peace with it. I spend just 20 to 30 minutes out there each morning doing something — whether it’s mowing a little, pulling weeds, or just tidying up. It gives me a little extra movement, a healthy dose of vitamin D, and this tiny sense of accomplishment that sets a good tone for the rest of the day.

I’m sure you already know why vitamin D is important, but there are 2 main reasons why I’m personally trying harder to get more of it in — getting sunlight in short bursts like this actually helps your body absorb calcium and boost your mood.

At 53, I’ve grown more concerned about bone loss, so I’m fighting to prevent it. Also, I kind of struggle with seasonal depression (but mine hits more in the summer!), so I like to stay on top of my mood as much as possible.

It’s one of those things that’s easy to overlook until you realize how much better you feel when you’re getting it regularly.

Step Five: Hair, Makeup, and Getting It Together

Somewhere between my walk and yard work — depending on how sweaty the Texas morning is — I make time to do my hair and makeup. This might sound small, but it’s been a huge mindset shift for me.

I work from home, so it’s tempting to stay in pajamas all day. But then I go to run errands and catch my reflection looking like I just crawled out of a donation bin. I set a goal this year to start looking (and feeling) more put together — not for anyone else, but because I feel better when I do.

It’s not about perfection. Some days I still throw on a ball cap and suglasses and call it good. But even taking ten minutes to throw on mascara and tame the frizz has helped me feel more in control and confident — even if I never leave the house.

AND btw…for my day-to-day makeup routine, I just use a little Bare Minerals, and typically only in spots I need it.

I’ve gotten more breakouts this year than ever, but when I use Bare Minerals powder instead of liquid or cream, my skin just looks better. I first realized this years ago when I used to go to bed with my makeup on (I know, I know!). When I wore liquid foundation, I would wake up with blemished or splotchy skin. But when I regularly slept with Bare Minerals on, my skin seemed to improve.

I’m not just saying that so you’ll use my affiliate link. You don’t even have to use it. Check for sales at Ulta if you prefer to shop in person.

I don’t have the science to back this up and I am DEFINITELY NOT a professional, so here is my official disclaimer: This isn’t medical advice — just what I’ve personally experienced. Always patch-test new products or check with your dermatologist if you’re unsure.

And my go-to brush is this kitten paw brush by BK Beauty. It was made for under eyes, but I use it for all my blemishes and red spots. I’ve tried a TON of concealer brushes and this one really is the best!

Why This Routine Works for Me (and Might Work for You Too)

There are a million morning routine checklists out there. Some swear by meditation, others swear by cold plunges or journaling. Me? I just needed something real — something flexible and simple enough to stick with on busy days.

And you know what? I actually started this morning routine by accident. Each step was added one at a time, sort of like habit stacking (well, exactly like that, actually). I never actually set out to start a “routine.” It just sort of fell into place.

Here’s what I’ve noticed:

• Getting outside early makes a huge difference in my energy and mood.
• Moving my body in short bursts (instead of one long workout) actually works better for me right now. It keeps me motivated throughout the day instead of dreading long workout sessions.
• A little makeup goes a long way in boosting self-confidence.
• Taking care of business first keeps my day from spiraling.

That’s it. Nothing revolutionary — just small, intentional actions that set the tone for a better day.

Thinking of Starting Your Own Morning Routine?

Start small. Pick one thing to try this week — maybe a 10-minute walk, a new skincare habit, or just making your bed. And if you need ideas, Pinterest is full of realistic morning routine inspo (and yes, a few that are completely over the top — but you do you).

The goal isn’t to be perfect. The goal is to feel more like yourself — calm, capable, and maybe even a little proud of how you showed up for yourself before noon.

PS: If you’ve read Unwind or have other audiobook recs, drop them in the comments. I’m always looking for new summer listens!