What time do you wake up in the morning and how do you wake up?
Between 7:30-8 with an alarm.
What’s on your bedside table?
Phone, Aquaphor for my lips, a big glass of water, Hum sleep support tablets.
Do you prepare for your mornings the night before? If so, how?
I usually check my calendar the night before to see what I have going on the next day, but I usually plan my week on Sunday nights. I write down in my notebook high-level priorities for the week, both work and personal, and then a detailed to-do list. This eliminates the “Sunday Scaries” and keeps me on track during the week. I love the feeling of crossing things off my to-do list, so I prefer a physical notebook over apps.
What are your skincare/body care rituals?
I have dry skin, so I only wash my face with cleanser once per day, usually at night. At night, I use an oil-based cleanser, and then apply a night cream. I like Tatcha’s Dewy Skin Night Concentrate and Cocokind’s Resurfacing Sleep Mask best. In the morning, I rinse my face with water in the shower, and when I get out, I give my face a few spritzes of Cocokind’s Rosewater Toner, put on some Skinceuticals Vitamin CE Ferulic serum, and lastly finish off with a tinted SPF.
What does your morning routine flow look like?
Every day looks a little different and I like it that way. I always make coffee first thing in the morning, and either drink the first cup in bed or on my couch while scrolling through emails. A lot of our partners and manufacturers are on the east coast, so I usually have a few important emails to take care of first thing in the morning. After my second cup of coffee, I hop in the shower, make a quick breakfast, and start my day, usually getting to the office around 10 am. I’m a night owl and do my best work in the afternoon, so I intentionally create space for myself in the mornings.
When do you kick off your workday? And do you have any starting-work rituals?
I go through my inbox first thing in the morning, and usually get to the office between 10-10:30AM
How does your morning routine change on the weekends?
My boyfriend and I both love sleeping in on the weekends. I love not setting an alarm, and letting the sun wake me up.
What does your mindset look like at the beginning of the day? Do you have any tips or tools for getting in a good mindset?
I wake up with a positive mindset most mornings, but with the heaviness of what is going on in the world right now, I sometimes get in a funk. I’m really fortunate to have full flexibility over my schedule, and also to live 2 blocks from the beach in Santa Monica. So on the mornings where I wake up with a negative mindset, the best way for me to turn it around is with a walk on the beach. The other morning, I did an hour-long walk on the beach and came back totally energized. There’s something about being outside in nature that always puts me back in a good mindset.
What’s non-negotiable vs. what does an extra-luxurious morning look like?
My only non-negotiable is coffee. I look forward to it every morning. I love the ritual of making it—measuring and grinding the beans, waiting for it to brew. I would never buy a Keurig or Nespresso machine because I love the process too much! An extra-luxurious morning is sleeping in, drinking coffee in bed, and maybe making pancakes or eggs and bacon.
What would you like to improve with your mornings?
I would like to train myself to not grab my phone first thing in the morning. It’s so hard not to! My boyfriend and I have discussed creating a no phones in bed policy. The first step was putting my phone on do not disturb mode until 9 AM. Baby steps!
What’s your #1 recommendation to others who struggle with mornings?
Welcome to the club! I am not a morning person and have always hated waking up early. I used to force myself to wake up at 6:30 AM and work out because I thought that’s what you were supposed to do. I only stopped doing that this year, and now I work out in the evenings. That extra hour or two of sleep makes such a difference in my mood and energy levels. Just listen to your body and don’t feel pressured to be a “morning person” if you’re not!