My Slow Morning Routine as a South Florida Mom
The Morning I Stopped Fighting My Mornings
A few years ago, I became convinced that successful people must wake up before everyone else.
I tried the 4 a.m. wakeups. I tried squeezing in work before the kids woke up. I tried fitting in a workout, answering emails, drinking my coffee, and getting a head start on the day before the sun even came up.
The problem was that my kids were early risers too.
Instead of feeling productive, I found myself feeling exhausted. I was constantly rushing from one thing to the next, trying to fit more into my mornings than they were ever meant to hold.
Around the same time, I started experiencing significant anxiety and stress. Looking back now, I think my body was telling me what my mind wasn't ready to admit. The pace I was trying to maintain simply wasn't sustainable.
So I made a change.
Instead of trying to build my mornings around productivity, I started building them around the season of life I'm actually in.
Today, my mornings are slower, simpler, and intentionally centered around my family.
And honestly, I've never been happier.
My Morning Ritual
Before the boys wake up, I make myself something warm to drink and enjoy a few quiet moments while the house is still asleep.
For years, that was coffee.
But I eventually realized that coffee first thing in the morning wasn't always helping my anxiety. If I was already feeling stressed or one of the boys woke up in a mood, adding caffeine to the mix wasn't doing me any favors.
That's when I started drinking MUD/WTR instead.
What surprised me most wasn't the lower caffeine.
It was realizing that what I loved most about my mornings had very little to do with caffeine at all. It was the ritual.
The warmth of the mug in my hands. The quiet of the patio before the neighborhood wakes up.The few moments of stillness before the beautiful chaos of motherhood begins.
I've always loved slow mornings. Motherhood just forced me to become more intentional about creating them.
As my cup starts getting low, I usually hear bedroom doors opening and little footsteps coming down the hallway.
And just like that, our day begins.And if you’re interested in trying out MUD/WTR you can get $10 off your first order or 20% off your first subscription order using my link!
We Start the Day Outside
One thing that rarely changes in our house is that we try to get outside early. Whether my oldest is in preschool or home for the summer, our mornings tend to follow the same rhythm.
After breakfast and getting ready for the day, we head outside before South Florida turns into a sauna. Some days we walk. Some days we run. Some days we load up the bike trailer. Most days we eventually end up at a park.
Movement early in the day helps everyone. I feel more energized, the boys get some fresh air, and we all seem a little happier afterward.
There's something special about being outside while the sidewalks are still shaded, the air is still manageable, and the world feels a little quieter. I get a chance to move my body and clear my head. It's become one of my favorite parts of motherhood.
Over the years, we've accumulated a few pieces of gear that have made these adventures easier, and I genuinely use them constantly.
Jogging Stroller → UPPAbaby Ridge V2 (genuinely hoping I have littles if they ever introduce a double stroller in this version!)
Double Jogging Stroller → Thule Urban Glide 3 Double
Bike Trailer → Thule Coaster XT 2 Seater
We have loved our Thule Coaster!
This bike trailer is relatively affordable and has been perfect for our suburban rides around the neighborhood!
Movement Looks Different These Days
If you had asked me ten years ago what fitness would look like in my thirties, I probably would have given a very different answer. As a former college athlete, I've always had a bit of an all-or-nothing personality when it comes to exercise. If I couldn't do a full workout, I often felt like it wasn't worth doing at all. Motherhood has challenged that mindset.
My favorite walks and runs will always be by a body of water.
Not only are the views great, but the wind offer the water is just so refreshing on a hot, summer day! And the UPPAbaby Ridge has given us so many miles. The best thing is, they’re not air filled tires so we never have to worry about them going flat!
This past year brought a lot of stress. Between raising two young boys, running a business, financial pressures, and everyday life, I found myself carrying more anxiety than I realized.
On Mother's Day, my husband asked me what I wanted to do. Without hesitation, I told him I wanted to go for a run by myself. No interruptions. No responsibilities. Just me and the pavement.
When I got back, I felt like a completely different person. My stress levels had dropped. My mind felt clearer. My body felt lighter. I've been running consistently ever since.
Nothing crazy impressive.No marathons.No fancy training plans. Just interval running and showing up consistently.. And honestly, that's enough for this season.
I'll share more of my fitness journey in a future post, but one of the biggest lessons I've learned recently is that movement doesn't have to be extreme to be meaningful. Just a decent pair of running shoes and my watch to help me track my intervals screen-free.
Sometimes a thirty-minute run is exactly what your mind and body need.
My Morning Routine Isn't Perfect
Of course, not every morning looks like this. Sometimes someone wakes up cranky. Sometimes Florida decides to give us a thunderstorm at 9 a.m. Sometimes nobody wants to cooperate. Sometimes my morning ritual is interrupted by early morning wake-ups... And that's life with young kids.
But this rhythm has given us something I spent years trying to find... Space. Space to enjoy our mornings. Space to move slower. Space to appreciate this season before it passes by.
What I'm Learning About Slow Mornings
This simple routine has helped me create the slower mornings I've always wanted. Ironically, the answer wasn't waking up earlier, doing more, or becoming more productive.
It was doing less.
It was realizing that fulfillment isn't found in checking another box or squeezing one more task into the day. It's found in the little things that were already right in front of me.
A quiet cup in the morning. A walk with my boys. A run through the neighborhood. Fresh flowers blooming in the garden. The sound of birds before the Florida heat arrives.
These days, that's more than enough.