My (mostly weekday) Morning Routine

I am a person that runs on a repeated schedule. That is what I have learned keeps me motivated on focused on what I have to get done for the day, week, or month. It keeps my goals in check & I have honestly noticed it keeps me more energized and happy. (I wish I figured this out in college).

Now that I am student teaching, my days started much earlier than they used to at NIU. I usually have to be at school around 7, so in order to do my morning routine and get ready, I wake up around 5:30.

You’re probably thinking “ANNA YOU’RE INSANE. THIS CRAZY MORNING ROUTINE PROBABLY ISN’T EVEN WORTH IT!”

& to that, I will tell you “IT IS!”

This morning routine has seriously helped me get on the path to living my optimal life! I’m not just going to post some bullshit things on here just to post them. I seriously believe in the things I talk about on here.

The Routine

The absolute first thing I do when I wake up is NOT CHECK MY PHONE. I let myself wake-up and I tell myself “you will be kind and you will be forgiving”. I know, one of those sappy things I do, but if you read my post on Joy, you might get a little glimpse of what it does for me, and what doing something like that everyday could do for you.

I try and remember to diffuse some citrus or peppermint in my Young Living essential oil diffuser right when I get out of bed. This just makes the air smell yummy and the oils wake me up some more.

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_mini_80

Next, I wash my face. I have pretty bad acne, so I try to prioritze keeping that in line. Plus, it wakes me up before I do anything else.

Right now I am using the Murad Essential – C Cleaner . I got it in my Ipsy bag last month and have seriously been loving it. After that, I put some Garnier Skin Active Micellar Cleansing Water on a cotton pad and use that all over my face & neck, let that dry and use my CereVe moisturizor. After that for an extra wake up, I either spray the Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater or the Kopari Coconut Rose Toner on my face and it just is so refreshing and it helps my skin stay moisturized all day (I have embaressingly dry skin & these steps have really helped).

IMG_8234

Now that my skin is clean and I feel more awake, I get back into bed.

“What? You get back INTO bed? Anna, what the fuck?”

YES! I get back into bed and I have a couple options of what I do:

  • I read my self-help books I own like “You Are A Baddass”
  • I meditate (or pray – my meditiations usually end up in prayer, but that is just where my mind,body, and soul end up. Everyone is different!)
  • I sit or lay and think about my goals for the day
  • Honestly, I’m not gonna bullshit you, sometimes I end up taking another 10 minute nap since I’m so freaking tired

These things are just for me to get into the mindset of having a fulfilling, positive, and productive day. I have learned that in order to stay motivated, I personally NEED to do this. But like I said, everyone is different.

At first I felt so silly doing this. I felt like I was wasting my time honestly. Like I could just sleep in longer. But I promise you I am not messing around when I say, this helped my life in so many ways.

Next, I make my bed. (Thank you Eileen & George for teaching me the importance of such a small task).

If you ever have the time, go online and read some articles on how making your bed in the morning helps your day and yourself.

You can have the shittiest day ever and not get ANYTHING done, but when you get home, you will realize you did get something done, you made your bed.

I know, something so small and silly, but I promise if you read some articles on this, you will thank me .

*I usually check my phone after I make my bed*

I FINALLY GET TO MAKE COFFEE! *angels sing Hallelujah*

I make my coffee – right now I’m drinking the Veranda blonde roast from Starbucks made in a french press with a non-dairy milk every morning.

(buy pounds of coffee & make it at home instead of buying a cup every morning. It saves you so much $$$$) (or K-cups are good too, I still use them if I’m in a rush, but the quality of coffee isn’t as great)

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_mini_7e

I make my breakfast (or sometimes my mom is the saint that she is & makes it for me since we get up at the same time)

Right now, I’m either eating:

  • two scrambled eggs made in coconut oil, some hot sauce on top, half an avocado, and a handful of some kind of berry
  • Avocado toast made with some kind of bread filled with seeds and grains, topped with tomatoes,everything but the bagel seasoning from Trader Joe’s (get it & put it on everything & thank me later) and crushed red peppers and half of a banana

UNADJUSTEDNONRAW_mini_7f

I usually pack my lunch the night before, so I don’t have to worry about that.

Then I get dressed, do my hair and make-up, make another cup of coffee for my day (these middle schoolers make me crash by, like, 10 am) and I’m on my way!

That’s my morning routine! I mostly do it on weekdays because I have my consistent schedules and my weekends I either sleep in, or am on the go right away!

Like I said before, this is just something that I have found works for me. Everyone is different, but I wanted to share it because maybe someone would get inspired and try something like this for themselves!

Have a great Monday friends! & just as great of a week!

Currently 

Listening to: Rosalyn by Jordy Searcy

Reading: You Are a Baddass

Drinking: Coffee (what else is new?)

Looking forward to: Going to New Glarus with the girls this weekend!

Message or comment your thoughts and suggestions! Thanks for stopping in!

–TheBestSings

The Art of Starbucks

HAPPY FRIDAY FRIENDS! 

**PSA Starbucks is handing out a free reusable cup with any purchase of a holiday beverage today!**

I worked at Starbucks for two years while in college. The reason I left is becuase I started my student teaching semester & wanted to immerse myself into that experience!

Unfortunately, I won’t be going back! But it is a fortunate reason! I got a full time teaching job starting right after I graduate in December!

“Starbucks is expensive. Starbucks is overrated. Starbucks isn’t worth it.”

Those are just a couple of reasons people decide that they don’t like Starbucks. & that is totally fine! Everyone is entitled to their own opinions!

But here is what most people don’t think about when forming those opinions.

  • Starbucks quality of coffee is insane.

You have many opinions to choose from, whether we are talking a cup of coffee or an espresso beverage. Starbucks tries so hard to hand out the perfect cup of coffee. Yes, you can make your own at home for cheaper, but I am talking to the people that want a solid, expertly formulated cup of coffee that is a perfect example of what you should aim for.

  • Their VARIETY of coffee

Whether that is a blonde, medium, or dark roast. If we’re talking espresso, then signature or blonde. Back to the roasts. There are so many varieties you can choose from. There are your everyday roasts like Veranda (blonde), Pike (medium), or Sumatra (dark) or your Reserve roasts which select stores sell. And let me tell you, getting a cup of a reserve roast or buying grounds to make at home IS SO WORTH IT! Even a person that doesn’t drink coffee frequently can tell the difference!

  • They aim to satisfy any palette

Whether you like coffee, espresso, tea, cold brew, energy drinks, milkshakes, etc. STARBUCKS HAS IT ALL!

Mocha, hazelnut, vanilla bean, white chocolate, pumpkin, peppermint, chestnut praline, LITERALLY ANY FLAVOR YOU CAN THINK OF!

**if you ever need any drink recommendations, let me know because I LOVE when people ask me**

  • THE CUSTOMER COMES FIRST

This is definitely the most important one. From the first day I walked into Starbucks as a customer AND employee, I felt a sense of community and actual dedication to it’s customers. You have no idea how many drinks I have had to remake while barring. But I NEVER thought twice about it because the goal was to have a meaningful experience with my customer & I had been trained to WANT that person to walk out happy & satisfied with their beverage or food item. Starbucks cares, & it made me care about people.

  • On a selfish note, working at Starbucks has made me a better person & educator.

I got lucky & always had awesome co-workers. When all Starbucks shut down & we had a training after the incident in Pennsylvania, a HUGE topic was the idea of Starbucks being a “third place”

In life, people usually have two places that they are comfortable being in. They are their constant. For children, it would be home and school & for adults, it would be home &  work.

That’s where Starbucks comes in as the third place. The goal is for Starbucks is when you come in, you know people, you feel comfortable, & you are satisfied with your experience. That you get that familiar feeling of comfort.

This made me realize that I want to make people feel comfortable in every aspect of my life whether that is a one-on-one interaction or in my future classroom.

 

I could literally talk about Starbucks for hours!

Like I said, if you need drink recommendations, let me know!

If you’re considering applying to work at Starbucks, let me know!

If you just want to have a conversation, let me know!

 

Currently:

Listening to: Anthem Lights “Hymns” album

Drinking: a blonde chestnut praline latte with soy from Starbucks

Looking forward to: my brother is expecting his baby boy tomorrow!

 

Thanks for stopping in 🙂

Stay grateful & keep learning

IMG_8021

— TheBestSings