My Morning Routine: Finding Calm Before the School Bell Rings
By Maren — Home cook energy. Not chef energy. Let's make something good with what you've got. ·
The Pre-School Chaos is Real
If you’ve ever tried to grade a stack of seventh-grade essays, feed a sourdough starter, and find a matching pair of socks all before 7:00 AM, you know exactly what my mornings look like. Being a middle school teacher is a beautiful, chaotic, loud, and rewarding gig, but it doesn’t exactly lend itself to those peaceful, candle-lit “morning routine” videos you see on social media.
I’m Maren, and my mornings aren’t about five-step skincare routines or hour-long meditations. They’re about setting myself up to survive—and hopefully thrive—until the final bell. Over the years, I’ve learned that a solid morning routine isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating small, reliable anchors that keep you from drifting away when life gets hectic.
The First Anchor: Gary and the Coffee Ritual
My day doesn’t officially start until I’ve checked on Gary. Yes, my sourdough starter. There’s something grounding about the smell of that bubbling flour and water. It reminds me of my grandmother’s kitchen back in the day—no fancy equipment, just patience and a bit of instinct.
While Gary is waking up, I’m waiting on the coffee. I don’t have a high-tech machine. I use a simple pour-over because it forces me to stand still for three minutes. Those three minutes are my “me time.” No phone, no emails, just the sound of the water hitting the grounds. If you’re rushing through your coffee, try to find one thing you do every morning that requires you to stop and watch the process. It’s the closest thing to meditation I can manage, and honestly? It’s enough.
Breakfast That Actually Sustains You
Being a teacher means I don’t get a lunch break that lasts longer than twenty minutes, and half of that is usually spent helping a student or photocopying a worksheet. If I don't eat something substantial in the morning, I’m a hangry mess by 10:00 AM.
I’m not a fan of the “chef energy” breakfast—I don’t want to be poaching eggs or making complicated smoothies before work. I’m all about “home cook energy.” My go-to is usually a quick savory toast. I’ll take a slice of whatever sourdough I baked over the weekend, toast it in the cast iron skillet (Grandma’s favorite, obviously), and top it with whatever is in the fridge. Sometimes that’s a smear of ricotta, some sliced cucumber, and a sprinkle of flaky salt. Sometimes it’s just butter and a fried egg. The key here is using what you have. Don’t overthink it; just get some protein and fiber in your system so you’re not reaching for the office vending machine by mid-morning.
The "Three-Thing" Rule
When I’m looking at my to-do list for the day—which is usually a mile long—I get overwhelmed. I’ve started a “Three-Thing” rule for my mornings. Before I leave the house, I pick three things that must happen today. Not ten things. Three.
Maybe it’s: 1. Respond to that one parent email. 2. Grade the vocab quizzes. 3. Defrost something for dinner so I don’t order takeout later.
Everything else is a bonus. If I finish my three things, the day is a success. If I don’t get to the laundry or the floor-sweeping, that’s okay. Giving myself permission to leave things undone is a lesson I’m still learning, but it’s made my mornings so much lighter.
Preparing the Evening Before (Because Tomorrow Maren Deserves Help)
I’ve realized that a good morning routine actually starts the night before. I call it “future-proofing.” I’ll check the weather, lay out my clothes (even the comfy stuff for when I get home), and make sure the dishwasher is empty.
When I wake up, the kitchen isn't a disaster zone. There’s no “I’ll deal with this later” energy waiting for me. Walking into a tidy kitchen—even if it’s just the counters wiped down—is like a gift from last night’s version of me. It’s the ultimate act of caregiving for yourself.
Why We Need These Small Rituals
Look, I know your morning might look different. Maybe you have little ones running around, or a commute that makes you want to pull your hair out. The point of sharing this isn't to tell you to copy my schedule. It’s to encourage you to find your own “anchors.”
Maybe your anchor is listening to one specific song while you brush your teeth. Maybe it’s taking five minutes to water your plants. Maybe it’s just sitting on your porch for a second to breathe in the Minneapolis air. Whatever it is, make it yours. Feeding yourself—both physically and mentally—is the most important thing you’ll do all day.
So, what’s one thing you do in the morning that feels like a little hug for your brain? I’d love to hear it. Drop a comment below or shoot me a message. Let’s talk about how you’re making your mornings work for you, even when things get messy.
Talk soon,
Maren