March 8, 2026

My Simple Morning Routine for a Balanced Day

Over the past few years, I’ve really come to appreciate the power of a slow morning.

For a long time my schedule felt rushed; early alarms, jumping straight into work, and feeling like the day was already moving before I had a moment to catch up. But as life has shifted and I’ve found more balance, my mornings have become one of my favorite parts of the day.

Living near the coast in Wilmington has definitely influenced that. There’s something about starting the day slowly, getting outside, and easing into the morning that sets the tone for everything that follows.

My routine isn’t complicated, but it’s a rhythm that helps me feel grounded, energized, and ready for the day ahead.

Here’s what a typical morning looks like for me.

Waking Up Slowly

Most mornings I wake up between 7:00 and 7:30.

I’ve learned that I function so much better when I get enough sleep, so I try not to force super early mornings unless I have to. Getting a full night of sleep, at least 8-9 hours, makes a huge difference in how I feel throughout the day.

The first thing I do after getting up is make warm lemon water. It’s a simple habit I’ve had for a while, and it’s a nice way to hydrate before coffee.

Once I have that, it’s time for my favorite part of the morning.

Walking the Dogs

Every morning I take my dogs for a walk. We usually go for about 30 minutes, which ends up being around 1–2 miles depending on where we go.

Getting outside first thing in the morning always helps me feel more awake and clear-headed. It’s quiet, the air feels fresh, and it’s such a peaceful way to start the day.

Since moving to Wilmington, some mornings we’re lucky enough to walk on the beach, which honestly never gets old. Watching the sun come up over the water while the dogs run around is one of those small moments that makes me really grateful for where we live.

Coffee & Breakfast

After our walk, I come home and make coffee and breakfast.

Breakfast is something I’ve been trying to be more intentional about lately, especially focusing on getting enough protein. I usually aim for around 30 grams of protein in the morning because it helps keep me full and energized.

Some of my go-to breakfasts are simple things like Blender Protein Pancakes, Loaded Breakfast Biscuits, High Protein Gluten Free Bagels or other easy high-protein meals that don’t take long to make. More to come some high protein breakfast options soon!

I usually take my time with coffee and breakfast rather than rushing through it. Sitting down for a few minutes before the day gets busy makes a big difference in how the rest of the day feels.

Homemade Gluten-Free Everything Bagel Plated Image

Homemade Loaded Breakfast Biscuits finished product image

Starting Work

Most mornings I start work somewhere between 8:00 and 8:30.

My work days vary depending on what I’m focusing on — sometimes it’s content, sometimes blog writing, sometimes working on things related to Seventh Shore or other projects.

I like to use the early part of the morning to ease into work and get organized for the day.

Mid-Morning Movement

One thing that has become really important to me is moving my body regularly.

A few days a week I take a cycling class at Recess by Bevin Prince, which I absolutely love. The classes are such a fun mix of cardio and strength, and it’s always a great energy boost.

I usually work out mid-morning, sometime between 9:30 and 11:00, depending on the day.

On days I’m not at the studio, I still try to get movement in — whether that’s a longer loop walk, weight training, or something simple like home pilates that helps break up the day.