INSDIE: The 7 easy steps that will take you from night owl to early bird. You can become a morning person, mama!

Have you ever put an IKEA table together? 

Neither have I. But my sweet husband has. And I loved every minute of sitting in a chair with a glass of wine watching him do it 🙂

Even though I didn’t put the table together myself, I know that it doesn’t happen easily or flippantly. 

It takes patience and a guided step by step process.

Skipping one step -- deeming a seemingly small part of the process as unimportant -- can transform a 2 hour project into a 6 hour catastrophe. 

A word to the wise: if you ever find yourself constructing a piece of IKEA furniture...follow the instructions!

How waking up early is like putting an IKEA table together

Like putting together a build-it-yourself piece of furniture, beginning an early morning routine takes time, patience, a clear method, consistency, and a step-by-step process. 

And if you follow the steps, heed the instructions, and take it slow - you can transform yourself from a night owl into an early bird.

Disclaimer: this process works for the majority of us out there. However, I recently  realized that there are some biological conditions that make waking up early physically and biologically VERY difficult. If that is you, this process may need some tweaking.

But for the rest of you (and the majority of you), this step-by-step guide will help you start a sustainable early mom morning routine (and one that you actually love!)

7 simple steps from night owl to early bird

These steps are designed to be done in sequential order (remember that IKEA table?). If you follow these steps you will start to see transformation. It will take time, but it will happen.

So let’s get started!

Step 1. Exercise during the day

Are you already thinking about quitting?? Don’t. You got this mama!

Exercise is to sleep as ice-cream is to a sunny summer day in the backyard with friends. It sets the tone, enhances the experience, and makes it so much more enjoyable. 

If you can make staying fit a priority you will get better quality sleep, as well. 

Plus, regular daily exercise can help to lower stress levels and release built up tension. So if anxious thoughts are what keep you up at night (and prevent you from getting the sleep you need), get into the habit of moving your body intentionally throughout the day. 

If you don’t believe me, what's the harm in trying? 

Step 2. Don’t eat after 6 PM

A few weeks ago my husband and I were in bed watching a show and thoroughly enjoying staying up a bit later than normal. Against my better judgment (but totally in line with my impulsive tendencies), I hustled to the kitchen and sliced myself up some sausage, cheese, and a side of mayo + ketchup (I know I am not the only out there who secretly loves mayo + ketchup together!).

It was a fabulous, indulgent 10 PM snack. And I loved it. 

Until the next morning. I struggled to get out of bed, feeling sluggish, full, and unmotivated.

The time of the day that we eat affects how our body processes and digests food. When you eat right before bed your body is busy working to digest that food instead of resting and preparing for sleep like it should be. 

If you want to wake up early, eat an early dinner and don’t snack at night.

Step 3. Set your alarm, and put it out of reach

According to research, 100% of people who put their alarms across the room got out of bed to turn them off (that’s a real statistic right there!)

If you are serious about wanting to start an early morning routine, put your alarm clock well out of reach (like across the room and in another room altogether!). 

Step 4. Write down your morning goals before bed

A few years ago we were trying to get pregnant with child number two, and it wasn’t happening. After waiting 21 months to get pregnant the first time, I was feeling all the emotions that come with waiting and wanting. 

So I tried a different tactic, and experimented with eliminating refined sugars and refined grains from my diet. 

Now I am not one to put strict guidelines on my diet. And under normal circumstances there is no way I would have followed through with these new eating patterns (major sweet tooth here). 

But I had a new perspective with a goal: to see if my diet affected my fertility. Once I had that in mind, staying away from refined sugars and grains wasn’t a big deal. I had bigger fish to fry. 

Know why you want to wake up early, and write down what you plan to accomplish during (or because of) your new routine.

You are far more likely to keep the promise to yourself when you write it down.

Step 5. Read an inspiring quote right before bed

Marriage is a difficult thing when we are constantly looking to change the way our spouse does something or when we focus on all of their shortcomings (he’s got them, you’ve got them - we are all humans here!)

But I have found that when I put the focus of transformation on myself - when I change my mindset and look to see how I can better love and serve - marriage is much more enjoyable. 

Mindset is at least half the battle when it comes to waking up early - so start changing your perspective on getting up before the rest of your family. 

• You get to have some quiet time alone! 
• You get time to work on things that you love!
• You get to plan and prepare for your day!

Read a motivational quote to help you wake up earlybefore you go to sleep. It will transform your mindset from one that says “have to” into one that says “get to”. 

Step 6. Get to bed earlier

Not sure how? I’ve got some ideas for you:

Step 7. Be patient. Be consistent. 

Just like when you are piecing together a 132,000 part Ikea table, changing your habits will take patience and consistency. 

What has been a years-long (or maybe life-long) habit will not change overnight.

It will require being persistent (and getting back on track when you do go off course), and giving yourself time to change.

But you can do it! And you will do it. 

I believe in you.

Let go of what has been, and look toward what could be.

You can change your habits, however deep-rooted they may be. 

If you are motivated, diligent, and persistent you can transform your night owl tendencies into early bird patterns.

Following these 7 steps will get you there:

1. Exercise during the day
2. Don’t eat after 6PM
3. Set your alarm and put it across the room
4. Write your morning goals
5. Read an inspirational quote right before you go to sleep
6. Get to bed earlier
7. Be patient + consistent

I’m rooting for you!