The Morning Routine That Helps Me Feel Empowered to Take On the Day

Even if I have no plans besides working from home, putting a little extra effort into my outfit makes me feel more put-together and more confident. Picking out pieces of clothing that bring me joy — like my lavender corduroy shacket or my comfiest worn-in jeans — instead of just throwing on whatever pair of leggings I see first helps me start my day on a slightly brighter note. Every day's outfit doesn't have to be a full look, but it does have to make me feel good about myself.

While I don't miss commuting, I do miss the opportunity my commute gave me to read the news on my phone, sit with my thoughts for a few minutes, and generally prepare for the day. Now that I'm working from home, I like to take a half-hour walk every morning before work as a sort of mental commute. Going for a stroll not only gets me out of my apartment for a little while, it also wakes me up physically and mentally.

As much as I enjoy sleep, I've learned that snoozing my alarm until the last possible minute leaves me feeling stressed and overwhelmed. Instead, I like to give myself some extra time in the morning to do something I enjoy, like listen to a podcast. Whether I press play on a true-crime series or a political interview, learning something new is always fun for me — and lets me start the workday feeling calm, cool, and collected.

I'm a huge coffee-lover — seriously, sometimes I wake up thinking about my first cup of the day. I enjoy it so much that I like to spend some extra time making myself a coffee I'm really going to enjoy. Maybe that's a simple iced latte or a spicy mocha with a dash of cayenne pepper. Whatever my beverage du jour, it's sure to give my mood a little boost and help me start the day feeling content.