Happy Monday, friends! If you follow me on Snapchat and Instagram, you know how much I’m missing my cozy hotel room and beautiful chandelier at The Omni in Providence, Rhode Island now that I’m back at home. It was nice to spend a few days away again and take in a new city. I hadn’t been to Rhode Island in fifteen years — and I never made it to Providence before this trip. I’ll be sharing more later in the week about where to go for the perfect breakfast and what to do in the area, so stay tuned!
As I was reflecting on my trip (man, those few days went by fast) and all of the things I want to accomplish as we start the new week, something struck me. I’ve never been a morning person — I actually despise mornings. Why would I want to get up when my bed is so comfy? I’ve read a plethora of articles about how to train yourself to wake up earlier — and I’ve tried all of the tips. I justify my ‘I don’t do mornings’ stance by believing that there have to be people who are just not cut out for mornings. Perhaps I am one of those people. Nothing wrong with that.
But when I travel, I do manage to wake up early (well, “early” by my standards). The days feel longer, I feel more energized (maybe that’s just the additional cups of coffee I’m able to squeeze in), but most importantly, I can accomplish a lot more during my day. You may be reading this thinking, “Vanessa, I hope it didn’t take you long to make this realization.” No, thankfully it did not.
The incisive question here is this: how do you make every day feel like a vacation? What makes you excited to get out of bed, throw some clothes on, and start your day? The answer will be different for everyone. But I predict that when you can answer this question, mornings will look a whole lot different to you. Maybe instead of dreading what you have to do, you will start looking forward to what you can do with the day.
One way to do this that I’ve found helpful is to schedule something you enjoy first thing in the morning. It could be coffee with a friend before work, or a fitness class. By ensuring this is the first thing you do after you wake up, you’ll be more likely to want to get out of bed and get moving. For me, I enjoy starting my day off at a quaint coffee shop (but Starbucks will do just fine), while I sip my coffee and people-watch. My productivity level in the morning isn’t super high, so reading and commenting on other blogs is about all I can expect to accomplish in the early hours.
Whether your morning starts at 6 am or more like 9:30-ish, your outlook on the morning dictates your day. So when you’re tempted to hit snooze for the twentieth time and go back to sleep, take a deep breath, get up and tell yourself “you’ve got this!”
Are you a morning person? I’d love to hear what motivates you to get out of bed and start your day!
I used to not be a morning person (especially when I was in college) but now I find myself waking up earlier than I normally would have in the past so that I can start off my day productively. Plus I love being able to enjoy a cup of tea before heading into the office!
http://thecourtneydiaries.com
Thanks, Courtney! I’m glad there is still hope for me to become a morning person.
This is something interesting to reflect on.. I am a morning person but some days are totally harder than others.
Christina :: Simple and Delish
Those hard mornings for me always seem to fall on Monday. I’m glad you enjoyed the post, Christina!
Nice post! My motivation to get up each day is to make sure my children are organised and ready for school each day, Gemma x
http://www.jacquardflower.uk
Thanks, Gemma! That’s definitely a good reason to get out of bed in the morning.
I am all about this mantra. Great post!
~Samantha
http://goldcoastgirlblog.com
Thanks, Samantha! I’m glad you enjoyed the post.
I really need to just do the gym first thing when I wake up instead of checking emails.
Meghan | http://www.beyondbasicblog.com
That’s a good idea, Meghan! I’m guilty of checking emails and social media first thing in the morning, too.
I am definitely a morning person. I am up almost every day at 5:30. Having my coffee and reading blogs like yours makes a nice start to the day. 🙂 Love that first pic!
http://www.kathrineeldridge.com
I need you to rub off on me, Kathrine! I wish I could be up at 5:30 am — and be so productive. Hope your week is off to a good start!
Happy Monday! I am a morning person and I love to hear my music before going to work. That keeps me going. Have a nice day.
Xo, Christianne
http://simplychristianne.com
That sounds like a great way to start your day, Christianne! Thanks for sharing.
I’m definitely now a morning person! I love to sleep whenever I have time!! Hahaha
Daniel x
The Daniel Originals | Instagram: danielpoonvignez
New Post: The white cap and hoodie
I wish I could be a morning person, Daniel! I really love my sleep.
I’m a morning person in Spring/Summer, but opposite in winter!!
Yukova Blog
Spring and summer is a great time to be a morning person, Yukova! In the winter I just want to hibernate.
I should definitely dream more!
Happy Monday Doll! Kisses,
BLOG | TAISLANY
Glad you liked this mantra, Taislany!
This is such a great article, Vanessa! I mean, I’d consider myself somewhat of a morning person; I can’t sleep later than 9 am, no matter how much I’d like, unless my husband is off and sleeps in, then I can sleep a lot longer. I love the suggestion about scheduling something you love to do first thing in the morning. I agree, it really does make a difference in my willingness to get up. I wake up at 6 am and arrive to the gym by 6:45, although the gym is practically 10 minutes away, I basically sleep walk for about a good 20 minutes upon “waking up”, haha. Oh, and I love the photos you take at your hotel window when traveling, it’s become somewhat of a signature shot of yours, I really like it! I look forward to your posts this week about your stay in RI, I’ve never been! Thanks so much for sharing, I really enjoyed the read; you’re such a great writer! Have a wonderful Monday, beautiful!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
Thanks so much, Jalisa! I’m glad you enjoyed the post — and yes, my window shots are becoming somewhat of a signature of mine. Ever since I was a kid I’ve enjoyed sitting by windows and people-watching. It’s been fun to document similar shots all with different views while traveling. I wish I could make it to the gym in the morning, but I would probably have a Taylor Swift moment and fall off the treadmill! Hope your week is off to a great start!
I am also like that when I travel, I get up early to explore everything even if my body runs on coffee you just have to enjoy the trip!
My Vogue Style | http://www.myvoguestyle.com
Definitely! You can catch up on sleep when you get home.
I am horrible about starting my day, I really need to get better!
XO JNESS
JenessaSheffield.com
Me too, Jenessa! I love to snooze, but I am working on sticking to a morning routine.
Amazing post girl.! Thanks for sharing! Have a wonderful day!
Much love, Len
http://www.lenparent.com
Thanks, Len! So glad you enjoyed the post.
Very insightful, Vanessa! I find that when I wake up EARLIER so I’m able to eat breakfast at a leisurely pace, check in with social media and read world news I start my day in a more productive place. If I push waking up back in order to get more sleep I’m inevitably rushed and stressed out. No way to start a day!
I completely agree with you, Kasie! Starting off your day leisurely is much better than catching those few extra minutes of sleep (advice that I really should take as I reach to hit snooze one…more…time). Hope your week is off to a great start!
I love your photo at the top of this post, it reminds me of a painting with the shadow and light. A friend once told me to “live each day like you’re on holiday.” A cup of tea and a nice hot shower gets me going in the morning 🙂 Angharad x
http://www.welshandwonderful.com
That’s great advice, Angharad! I’m glad you liked the photo. Me sitting by the window has become kind of like a signature when I travel now. I have a similar shot from my last stay in NYC!
I’m excited to see more from your trip! Rhode Island seems so picturesque. And being a west coast girl, I’ve yet to explore that area at all!
Jamie
http://www.treatsandtrendsblog.com
Thanks, Jamie! A full recap will be on the blog Friday. Rhode Island is one of my favorite places to visit, and I really enjoyed my time in Providence.
Riding in the early morning! Nothing beats it!
So true, Elinor! When I had my last horse (an OTTB), I used to ride at 5:30 am — mainly in the winter when I was forced to ride in the indoor and wanted to beat the crowds. Aside from that, horse shows were the only other thing I would get up so early for!
such great advice x http://www.the-beautiful-things.com/
Thank you! I’m glad you found this post insightful.