Ever scroll Instagram/Tiktok and wonder how everyone else has a perfect morning routine but you? They are up at 5 am and have worked out, meditated, journaled, and completed their 12-step skincare routine, all before you roll out of bed.

Just because someone else’s routine “seems” perfect doesn’t mean it is practical. A practical morning routine can be more powerful than a perfect one because it’s easier to stick to and adapt to changing circumstances. It allows for flexibility and prioritization of tasks based on what’s most important for the day. If you were up all night with a crying baby, a little extra sleep would be more nourishing than a 5 am workout.

A goal of a perfect routine may lead to rigidity and stress if not followed precisely, often leading to you bailing on your morning routine altogether. In contrast, a practical routine can provide structure without causing unnecessary pressure. Ultimately, a practice that works for you and your lifestyle is the most beneficial.

I find laying out your routine into two categories, non-negotiables & hope to. Non-negotiables are the core habits we want to have. We tend to think we must do it all but overwhelming ourselves with a laundry list of non-negotiable is not a realistic way to make a change. Pick 4 or 5 non-negotiables and put the rest in the “hope to” pile.

This is what my list looks like ↓

I know on my days off + the days I start later, I will finish my entire routine, but the rest of the week, it’s my non-negotiables; anything else is just a bonus, and I don’t stress about it. And if I have extra time throughout the day, I can squeeze in things I didn’t get in the morning.

As our lives change, so do our priorities. What was a non-negotiable a few years ago may no longer be realistic. This means you must adjust your non-negotiables to reflect your life and keep building those core habits.