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How waking up early made me a better person

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Let me start by saying that I am not a morning person. I’m guilty of hitting the snooze button too many times and often rushing out the door in the morning. Last month, I started a new job with an earlier start time, and honestly, it gave me a lot of anxiety. I had to be out the door by 8 am to get to work on time, which meant a much earlier alarm. After a week of an early alarm, I noticed I started to wake up 10 minutes before my alarm went off, and I was well rested. My first thought was ew, I don’t like this. But the more I woke up early, the more I started to enjoy my mornings more. I didn’t feel as tired in the morning and enjoyed my new morning routine.

I’m not ready to have a full day of activities before 9 am like some people. I’m not going to the gym or meditating while journaling. Not there yet. I’ll make a cup of coffee, head upstairs to my bedroom, sit at my vanity, and slowly get ready. I still pack my lunch and pick out my outfit the night before. This allows me to have a morning to myself, and I’m not rushing.

I found that when the first thing I think of when I wake up is work, it sets a negative tone for the day. I’ve really enjoyed spending the morning doing things for myself instead. Actually enjoying a cup of coffee, running or unloading the dishwasher while waiting for my coffee to brew, watering the flowers, etc.

Even on weekends, I’m waking up with the sun, and as much as I want to roll over and sleep late, I don’t. I’ll get out of bed and make my way to the kitchen to make coffee before I go sit in the backyard with a book or bring a notebook to make a list of things to do for the day. I try to get as much done in the morning so I can spend my afternoons doing fun things.

Having that extra time in the morning during the work week, my weekends aren’t as filled with household chores because I try to get one thing done a day to keep up with it. I can get a lot more done in the day by waking up an extra hour earlier, leaving more time for fun things.

Now, when my early alarm goes off, I actually enjoy getting out of bed because I know that I will have some me time before I even think about work.

Maybe those morning people had the right idea after all?

Friday Favorites 5.8

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Here are a few of my favorite things this week….

Watching 

  • I love LA
  • Hacks 
  • Splitsville
  • Materialists 
  • Wuthering Heights

Cooking

  • Veggie burgers
  • Pasta with fresh basil and cherry tomatoes 
  • Taco bowls 
  • Dubliner cheese and apple slices for an afternoon snack

Loving 

  • 9:30 pm bedtime 
  • Pants that fit. It’s not the end of the world to buy a size bigger. 
  • A fun drink to enjoy outside after work. Sometimes it’s a glass of wine, but most of the time it’s a Diet Coke 
  • The lilac bush we planted last year is BLOOMING
  • I told myself I didn’t need it, but when my husband brought one home… now I understand why everyone loves this water bottle
  • Bought the book, Game On, since I have a long drive coming up

My Recent Evening Routine for Spring

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Going to work when it’s nice out makes getting out of bed even harder! Recently, I’ve been trying to make the most out of my evenings when it’s light out later, and it’s still warm outside. I love the warmer months because I feel like we get so much more out of our days with the extra hours of daylight. Here are some of the things in my evening routine that bring me joy!

As soon as I get home, I immediately change out of my work clothes into comfy clothes – but not pajamas!

I don’t like putting on pajamas because I’m not ready to end my night. So I’ll throw on some workout clothes or comfortable clothes instead.

Go to the gym

We are very lucky, and a new gym has opened within walking distance of our house. So now it makes going to the gym after work easier to fit into our schedules. After the gym, we like to grab dinner or maybe stop by the grocery store on our way back to the house.

Sit in the yard and
enjoy a book

After staring at a screen or socializing all day, I love to sit in the yard with a book and enjoy the silence!

Make dinner

Cooking dinner is honestly my happy place! I like to put on a show on the iPad to play in the background as I prep and cook. During the Spring and Summer months, it’s easier to cook with fresh veggies, and I love using them when I cook from scratch. It’s nice to be able to make something for yourself at the end of the day.

Out to eat on a weeknight

On those really nice days that the last place I want to be is home, I love to go out to eat during the week. Extra bonus points if they have outdoor dining!

Open the windows

If you don’t have the time or the space to enjoy some quiet time downstairs, open your windows and let your house BREATHE!

Skincare

Doesn’t matter what time of year it is, I need to commit a few minutes every night to my skin.

Keep your bedroom clean

It takes a few extra minutes to tidy up every day, but I swear I’m a much happier person waking up and going to bed with a cleaner bedroom.

Friday Favorites 4.17

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We had an unexpected heat wave this week, so I spent as much time as I could outside. I’m in my second week at my new job, and I’m really loving it. Jake was looking at me weirdly the other night, and when I asked him why he was staring, he commented that my face looks really different now that I am in a less stressful job. And it’s true. I can tell my body is less stressed, and I’ve been enjoying waking up earlier in the morning. I also need to find a new hobby now that I get out of work earlier and have a few hours to myself in the evening. This weekend, I am excited to relax outside, bake, and read a new book. Hope you have a great weekend and get to enjoy this warm weather!

  • I’m back to wearing “work clothes,” so I’m slowly rebuilding that part of my closet. I’ve been wearing these $35 comfortable work pants and need to get them in more colors!
  • Adding this bag to my wish list for Spring and Summer.
  • I’ve been taking this vitamin pack for a few months now, and I love that it has every pill in a pouch.
  • I’ve had my eye on this yellow sweatshirt and finally hit check out.
  • This setting spray keeps my makeup where it should be (on my face) and not completely melted off by the time I get into the office.
  • NYX gifted me these new lipsticks, and they have been fun to use!

Recently went to Ulta and picked up a few things I needed to restock on.

  • Finished reading Brimstone. Not one of my favorites, but happy I was able to push through and read it.
  • Listening to Crescent City while I commute to work since I finished rereading ACOTAR to get ready for the next book.
  • I got the Plated Prisoner series for Christmas, and I started it this week. I understand the hype about the series after almost reading the first book in one night…

Friday Favorites 3.13

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Spring was here for a few days, and I enjoyed every second of it knowing it was going to go back to cold with a chance of snow. On Monday night, we went to a new gym within walking distance of our house. It was hard to walk past the sign outside of a restaurant promoting margaritas on the patio and keep on walking! It felt like everyone was out walking and enjoying the 60-degree weather! I got home from work on Tuesday and changed into leggings and sneakers to run around the neighborhood. I wanted to enjoy every second of this weather! Jake’s birthday was on Wednesday, and even though we were both exhausted, I made us go out to celebrate. All he wanted for his birthday was cheesecake, so I had to make it happen! After work, we walked to the Cheesecake Factory for a late dinner – one of the reasons I love living in the city. But us out to dinner at 9 pm on a weeknight? Who are we???

LOVING

Loving this new collection from Amanda Jones Vaughan for Spring!

I started using these whitening strips, and I love that they dissolve?? so cool and convenient!

On one of my trips to the grocery store, I had to get a case of Diet Coke Cherry because they were out of Diet Coke. Tragic, I know! Turns out it’s amazing?

My most-worn sweatshirt is now available in this beautiful yellow, so I immediately added it to my cart!

WATCHING

Outlander

High Potential

Stumble

READING

In celebration of the SJM news, I am rereading Crescent City.

Brimstone is taking me longer to read but I blame my exhaustion at the end of the night making it hard to keep my eyes open!

How I Am Surviving Hibernation Season

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Once the cold settles in, I stop fighting it. The days get shorter, the air gets quieter, and suddenly staying home feels less like a choice and more like a season of its own. I’m not leaving the house anytime soon on the weekends — and honestly, I’m okay with that.

This is how I’m surviving hibernation season.

Hot baths, always
A hot bath has become my reset button. Steaming water, dim lights, maybe a candle flickering nearby. It’s the easiest way to warm up and slow down at the same time. No rush, no agenda — just existing for a little while.

Lotion, head to toe
Cold weather demands softness. Taking the extra minute to lotion my hands, arms, and legs feels grounding, almost meditative. It’s a small ritual, but it reminds me to take care of myself in ways I usually skip.

Living in pajamas
If I don’t have to change out of pajamas, I won’t. Cozy sets, oversized knits, anything that feels like a hug. Getting dressed for hibernation season means choosing comfort over productivity — and that’s enough.

Candles on repeat
Candles are non-negotiable. Morning, afternoon, night. Soft scents, warm light, a slower atmosphere. They make staying in feel intentional instead of accidental.

Other ways I’m leaning into staying home
– Making warm drinks just because
– Rewatching comfort shows without guilt
– Letting my evenings be quiet
– Saying no more often
– Creating a home that feels calm and lived in

Hibernation season isn’t about doing less — it’s about doing what feels right. Resting more. Moving slower. Letting the cold weather be an excuse to turn inward.

If the world feels loud, staying home can be its own kind of peace 🤍