For summer, my list contained 10 tasks to complete before 10 am. In case you are wondering, I am waking up to an alarm at 6:30 on weekdays this summer.
My Summer 10 Before 10
- Pray, Ponder, and Gospel Study
- Exercise and Drink Water
- Shower, Hair and Make-up
- Make Bed
- Family Prayers
- Breakfast
- Start Laundry
- Unload Dishwasher
- Tidy Kitchen and Dining Room
- Plan Day
I feel like I can get a lot more done first thing in the morning when I don't have to reinvent the wheel every day. I also live most comfortably with a moderate amount of structure. Spontaneous summer fun is more likely to be fun when the kitchen is functionally clean and I feel ready to face the day.
Some mornings are definitely smoother than others. If we have a busy evening where dirty dishes get left out overnight instead of run through the dishwasher, it's going to take me a lot longer to get through steps 8 and 9. I have found this to be great incentive to do the dishes in the evening!
If we stay up late the night before, I know it will be much harder to get up at 6:30. Knowing I am getting up at my summer variation of "early," I purposefully choose not to be up late the night before, so I really believe I'm getting as much sleep as if I wasn't using a schedule.
