How Our Founder Starts Her Day With Calm & Focus
What time do you wake up in the morning, and how do you wake up? (To an alarm, music, the sun, etc.)
I wake up at about 8:00am every morning. I have a Loftie alarm clock that wakes me up super gently with singing bowls.
How do you like your coffee (if you drink it)?
I discovered my perfect drink earlier this year, so I have a super specific answer for this one! For at-home coffee—I use a venti reusable Starbucks cup, fill it with ice, pour a double espresso Nespresso shot, fill it with unsweetened almond milk, and flavor it with Coffee Mate’s Peppermint Mocha creamer.
If I’m at a coffee shop, I usually go for a vanilla latte (hot or iced, depending on my mood; hot if I’m feeling cozy).
What's on your bedside table?
My Lofite alarm clock, a Himalayan salt lamp, Aquaphor lip repair, my Hydroflask (by my side 100% of the time), and my glasses.
Do you prepare for your mornings the night before? If so, how?
If I do prep for the mornings, I usually just clean my house. It’s always nice to come downstairs to a living room and kitchen that’s not a disaster. One less thing to think about in the morning!
What are your skincare/body care rituals?
I dry brush for circulation, ice roll my face to reduce puffiness using The Skinny Confidential Hot Mess Ice Roller (an investment, but game-changing), and I take freezing cold showers to wake myself up.
What does your morning routine flow look like? (Give as much detail as possible)
I wake up with my Loftie, meditate using the Core Meditation Trainer, get some movement in, and listen to a podcast while I get ready for the day. This is an ideal situation—a lot of the time, I frantically bolt out of bed, get ready, and leave. But even on the frantic days, I still listen to a podcast while bolting to get ready!
The podcasts I have on repeat are The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast, 6 Figure Influencer, and Entreprenista.
I classify it as a successful morning routine flow if I’ve taken time to center myself and think about nothing. A moment for myself before I start responding to the day.
When do you kick off your workday? And do you have any starting-work rituals?
I typically start working at about 10:00am. I’m not a morning person, so it takes me a minute to come alive and start being a boss. Post-coffee, I like to light a St. Brown & Co. candle as a transitional action—like, “Okay, now we’re in a work-flow.”
How does your morning routine change on the weekends?
My morning routine generally goes out the window on the weekends! If I don’t have anything scheduled on the weekends, I will usually let myself sleep in, spend time with my dog, and make a slow breakfast and enjoy the morning. I like to listen to music instead of a podcast or TV. And maybe even read a book for leisure!
What does your mindset look like at the beginning of the day? Do you have any tips or tools for getting in a good mindset?
If I take time for myself to slow down and don’t immediately start responding to the day in the morning, my mindset is calm and focused. To get in this headspace, I either meditate or take a freezing cold shower. I prioritize getting into this mindset if I know I have something important to take care of that day.
Sometimes, if there’s nothing critical happening, I let myself relax. I’m not at a point where I’m sharp and ready to go every single day, and I think that’s okay. But I do acknowledge when I’m “in the zone” and take full advantage of that headspace and crank out critical work.
What's non-negotiable vs. what does an extra-luxurious morning look like
Coffee and listening to a podcast are non-negotiables. Podcasts while I get ready allow my brain to focus on something while keeping my thoughts from wondering to my to-do list.
An extra luxe morning would probably be taking myself to a coffee shop to work. When I go to a coffee shop to work, I allow myself about 30 minutes to enjoy my coffee and avocado toast before diving into my tasks.
What would you like to improve with your mornings?
Not pressing the snooze button!
What's your #1 recommendation to others who struggle with mornings?
As a person who struggles with mornings, I’d say have something to look forward to. It always helps me get out of bed or press snooze a little less when I have something exciting on the agenda.
And not scheduling meetings too early. I personally don’t schedule anything earlier than 10:00am. I know myself and I know I want to show up as my best self! And that definitely won’t be at an 8:00am meeting.