My Morning Routine

August 29, 2017

Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy's morning routine

I was never really a “morning person” until I began working for myself. Nowadays I look forward to each weekday morning as I thrive off of no two days being the same. One of the biggest challenges I face though? Setting “office hours.”

Since moving to Brooklyn I try to keep at least two full days where I stay in the neighborhood. I’ll work from a nearby coffee shop or stay at home but on these days, since I usually wake up at 7:30, I don’t want to dive into work the moment I wake up. So here’s a peek at what my morning routine looks like on my most typical work from home days.

Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy's morning routine

7:30AM: Wake up (using an old-school alarm clock! This has been game changing in spending less time on my phone.)

Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy's morning routine

7:35AM: I snooze for five minutes and then get out of bed and make my bed immediately. That is a new part of my morning routine now that I live in a studio apartment. I don’t want to stare at an unmade bed! Then I am promptly in the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. I’ve been using Nu Skin’s AP-24 whitening fluoride toothpaste for the past few weeks to reduce all the stains I get from my daily coffee. I loved it as soon as I got it for testing – the mint flavor tastes better than any other brightening or whitening toothpaste that I’ve tried in the past. Then, on days I’m not shooting or taking meetings, I try not to wear makeup. After I cleanse my face, I’ll apply a serum and a moisturizer with SPF.

7:45AM: I change out of PJs into either workout clothes if I’m going to a class that day or another casual outfit.

Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy's morning routine

8:00AM: Pour myself coffee. In the winter I use my Nespresso but all summer I’ve been using this cold brew pitcher that I’m now pretty obsessed with. I heard it’s one of the most purchased items on all of Amazon! I fill it up at night with coffee grounds and water and by the morning I have a pitcher of iced coffee. I’ll typically also prepare myself a yogurt with fruit and nuts or some avocado toast. Then I pop onto my couch, turn on The Today Show and usually post an Instagram.

Meghan Donovan of wit & whimsy's morning routine

9:00AM: I sit down at my desk and write my to-do list. I keep a running list of to-dos on my phone but for work-related items that are pressing, I like to have them written down. There’s something so satisfying about checking them off!

9:15AM: I tackle my inboxes. I’ll send emails I drafted the evening before, work on promoting that day’s wit & whimsy post and prep for any forthcoming conference calls or meetings.

And by that time my day is off and running! Do you guys have a morning routine? I heard a quote over the weekend that routines are a sign of ambition and I kind of loved thinking of my morning routine as a determined way to set out my day on the right foot!

P.S. what I’ve learned being self-employed and my nighttime rituals.

[Bekka Palmer Photography]

Thank you to Nu Skin for partnering on this post.

comments +

  1. Christina says:

    I’m sorry to see you supporting Nu Skin, which is a pyramid scheme. Emily Schuman took down her post advertising them a few months ago. I love hearing about people’s morning routines – I’m just sorry to see you use them as a sponsor.

    • Meghan says:

      Hi Christina – thanks for voicing your concern. I take all of my brand partnerships very seriously and always do research (and testing for beauty products!) before signing on with any companies. Yes Nu Skin products are sold through a network of salespeople but my experience this year and last working with them has led me to feel they do in fact align to industry guidelines for those who are both selling and purchasing their products. I appreciate you taking the time to provide feedback and will certainly take it into consideration in the future!

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