Inside: 6 lies you might be believing about a morning routine, and the truths that counter them. Ready to dig into these morning routine myths?

“Santa Claus isn’t real ya know.”

“What? No, he totally is!”

“No, he’s not. My mom told me.”

“Well my mom told me he is. And I believe her.”

But a few weeks later, sitting at our dining room table, she confirmed that Santa Clause was, indeed, made up. 

In my memory the thick floral curtain hung heavy on the windows, the lights were dim, and the air was thick. 

Whether that was the truth of the atmosphere or just how my mind has since described that ominous day, I’m not sure. 

But one thing I am sure of: I cried. I cried big ‘ole tears.  

“But what about that time he left a note by the tree! We asked you, and daddy, and grandma and y’all all said it wasn't you! So you lied then, too!”

“No, we didn’t. Granddaddy wrote that note.”

Sobs. 

I ran to my room. 

I so badly wanted to continue believing that Santa was out there. But mostly I felt betrayed and embarrassed that my friend had known the truth while I hadn’t. I had been gypped. 

And mama, I don’t want you to feel the same. 

Because while we talk about morning routines and the power of a few minutes alone before the kids wake up, I don’t want you to believe it’s something it’s not. 

So today let’s talk about 6 morning routine myths you might be believing, but shouldn’t be (because they just aren’t true!)

Morning Routine Myth #1: Having a morning routine gives you more hours in the day

Does organizing your stuff mean you have less stuff? 

Obviously the answer is no. So can I please be the one to break this to you? In the same way, waking up early doesn't give you more hours in the day. There are 24 hours in a day, and that’s not going to change. At least not anytime soon…

But just because organizing doesn't reduce the amount of stuff that you have doesn't mean it's not worth the effort. Because it helps you actually enjoy and use what you have when you know where it is, it’s easy to get to, and that old baseball mitt isn’t tumbling out of your closet every time you pull those accordion doors back. 

So if you don’t get more hours in the day, why wake up early? 

TRUTH:

While starting your day off early doesn’t increase the number of hours in the day, it does give you the space to start your day with intentionality and purpose. It can give the illusion of more hours because by the time the kids are awake, you’re ready to go - not still trudging in from the bedroom, scraping your slippers across the wooden floor as you fumble for your coffee and head towards the couch. 

Morning Routine Myth #2: You’ll get less sleep, but it’ll be worth it!

You won’t! I promise. In fact, according to Dr. Alex Dimitriu, founder of the Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine clinic, says that night owls often get less sleep than early birds!

While I love an early morning alone, I also love to sleep. And unless you’re prone to sleep 10-12 hours a night (and let’s be honest, we’re all moms here and none of us are getting that), early mornings do not automatically mean fewer hours of sleep. Because, guess what? You still get to choose your bedtime.

TRUTH:

While having an early morning routine doesn’t mean less sleep, it does mean more discipline. Ouch. Now that’s a hard word to hear these days for some reason. But it’s true. It means having the discipline to get to bed sooner, so that you can get the sleep you need and still have time alone to yourself in the morning. 

Morning Routine Myth #3: A morning routine will make you more joyful

It won’t? No. Because it’s not the fact of a morning routine that makes you “happier”. It’s what you do with your morning that makes all the difference. 

It’s like brushing your teeth. Does brushing your teeth prevent cavities? No, not necessarily. It’s all about how you brush your teeth, the frequency you brush, and what you’re putting into your mouth. 

There are a lot of factors that come into play when it comes to keeping your teeth and gums healthy. 

In the same way, having a morning routine doesn’t always mean you’ll be happier later. I have used an entire 1.5 hours to myself in the morning to watch YouTube videos, and guess what - it didn’t help my mood. 

But on the other hand, I’ve also had the perfect morning routine, did everything I wanted to, the kids woke up when I expected them to, and still I found myself in a bad mood. 

No, it’s not the fact of the morning routine that will make you happier - there are a lot of things that some into play with it comes to joy (mainly, do you know and follow Jesus Christ, the One who came down from heaven to live with us, and then take the blame for everything we ever have done or will do? All for love. Do you know Him? That is where joy comes from). 

TRUTH:

While a morning routine won’t automatically make you more joyful, it does provide quiet and solitude to allow you to choose your attitude, your perspective, and your focus for the day.

Morning Routine Myth #4: Your morning routine should be productive

FALSE! In fact, I would argue that morning routines should be  unproductive. Now  how does that sound? A totally unproductive hour everyday? Sounds good to me. And even if it doesn’t sound good to you, that’s OK. Just because it doesn’t sound good doesn't mean it’s not important. 

TRUTH:

Spending time in solitude, working on project or hobby that you love, and enjoying time in the Word of God and in prayer, may not feel productive in the moment, but it can sometimes be the absolute best use of your time - and lead to more productivity and joy later in the day. 

Morning Routine Myth #5: Mornings are for “morning people” (or at least for people without kids!)!

If it doesn't come naturally, don’t do it, right? 

Ha! If I only did the things that came naturally I’d be laying on the couch with a pint of Ben and Jerry’s binge watching Survivor. 

But, as fun as that sounds, it would eventually kill me. 

There are plenty of things we already do that don’t come naturally. And there are plenty of things in life we should do that don’t come naturally. 

We are sinners. And if we’re honest, all of our “natural” looks pretty ugly. 

TRUTH:

So while I won’t go as far to say that every single person out there should be waking up early, I will say that for a lot of you, it’s a very good idea. And you know what it takes? Some good, ‘ole fashioned discipline. And you can do it, mama 🙂

Morning Routine Myth #6: Your morning routine has to happen really early in the morning

Is it nice to have a morning routine hours before the kids wake up? Yes it is. But it doesn't have to be that way.

I talked to one mama, whose kids are in school, and she often does her morning routine after she takes her kids to their classes. She works from home, so this makes sense for her. 

And I love that! The whole idea of a morning routine is not to be rigid under a strict set of guidelines (though if you know me I do love having black and white rules to follow). It’s about being intentional with your day, with your attitude, with your relationship to Christ, with your life. 

TRUTH:

If waking up early, before the kids wake up, just does not work for you in this season, that’s totally fine! Figure out a different time in the day (preferably close to the beginning of it) where you get some quiet time. 

6 Morning Routine Truths (to counter these myths)

Santa Clause isn’t real.

As much as you want to believe he’s out there, he isn’t (and thankfully we don’t need a Santa, when we have a God who daily gives us good gifts). 

Just like  I don’t want you feeling like were tricked into believing something that isn’t real, I don’t want you believing anything about a morning routine that just ain't true. 

Instead, I want you to start believing these 6 truths about a morning routine:

1. A morning routine helps you to enjoy the finite hours we have in any given day
2. You can still get the same amount of sleep (and maybe more!)
3. A morning routine is what you make it
4. A morning routine should be unproductive 
5. Morning routines can be developed and enjoyed by anyone!
6. Your morning routine is for you, and you can design it how best works for you 

Wherever you are in your morning routine journey, remember this:

I’m rooting for you.