How I have better mornings

I feel energized and motivated by the potential that this new day holds.

With Sundays being so good, Monday can feel like a dreadful alarm, waking me up before I'm ready, and well, usually includes an alarm waking me up before I'm ready. While I don't look forward to weekday mornings, I've been trying to make changes to improve them. Here is what has been working:

The first thing I do to have a better morning is to get up earlier. I know it's hard, and occasionally I fail, but giving myself the time to be able to get ready without being in a frantic rush makes my morning better. Having time to eat breakfast is important. Studies show!

The second thing which made a big difference for me was Sean getting up with me. The months when I got up and got ready while he snoozed away made me (unfairly) resent him. We have opposite schedules, but when he obliged my request to get up with me it improved my mood a great deal, and not just because he's making me lattés while I do my hair. We have breakfast together, get to share a few quiet moments in the morning, and then he can go back to bed as soon as I leave.

Commutes can be a pain. 22 minutes without traffic is generally 30 in the morning, but on some unfortunate days, can be stretched to an hour. Which brings me to the third way I make my mornings better; keeping myself from fixating on how slowly I'm going by having something good to listen to. I love the NPR One app. There is so much great content, including podcasts like Radiolab and a new favorite, "How I Built This". If I'd rather listen to music and I'm bored of my Spotify playlists, Radio Paradise is usually on point, and commercial free.

I'm not going to tell you that I have my outfits planned out, because I never do, even though it would probably make for a better morning. Planning out lunch is also really great, and I'd highly recommend that.

What do you do to have better mornings?

      

The Rundown
Sweater Dress Target c/o Swap similar
Brown Leather Jacket c/o Wallis similar
Over the Knee Boots Marc Fisher
Springbok Clutch Oliveve c/o Shopbop
Hammered Pendant Necklace Avon similar
Beaded Bracelet Alex & Ani
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Cloudy Agate Bracelet J.Crew
Stacked Rings Gorjana via TJMaxx similar
Sunglasses "Meteor" Ray-Ban c/o TJMaxx

Linking up with Pink Sole's How I Fall

and

Oh To Be A Muse's Lookbook Linkup
and
By Lauren M's Mix it Monday

Onward

I accept who I am now, and look forward to becoming even better.

Every so often I have to remind myself that this blog is still very much a hobby for me, and that most days, I don't have any obligation to post, other than the obligation I put on myself. I'm not saying that's a bad thing, I like my commitment to the blog, and I appreciate everyone who comes to read it. But there will still be some nights when I don't have the drive to make sure a post is scheduled for the next morning - nights when I just want to sit on the couch with a bowl of popcorn and watch "This Is Us" and not stress over a post title - still always the hardest!

I know I want to make changes this year, and I want them to stick, I want to be able to enjoy more and dread less, because why put up with a life full of dread at all? A thought that keeps nagging at me is, 'could I blog full time?' Yet I'm at a loss at how to bridge that gap. If you've made the leap, I'd love to hear about it.

        

The Rundown

Floral Blouse Old Navy similar

Black Merino Cardigan Gap similar
Yoga Jeans Second Denim via Coco & Vera's Giveaway
Green Suede Flats "Adana" Banana Republic
Snakeskin Box Bag c/o Vintanthromodern similar 
Blue Teardrop Necklace c/o A Jewelry Crush
Beaded Bracelet Alex & Ani
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Signature Spade Ring Kate Spade similar
Gold Wrap Ring gift from Meg similar
Sunglasses "Glasgow" Ottoto c/o GlassesUSA

Linking up with Jeans and a Teacup's Flashback Friday (last time I wore this blouse)

Tortoise Aviators

I accept all gifts graciously and with deep gratitude.

Eyewear is one of my favorite accessories, there are so many shapes and styles to flatter and hide behind. I was delighted when GlassesUSA.com invited me to try out a pair of glasses from their house collection. Aviators feel like one of the tricker shapes when it comes to my face, and so they might not want to be a pair I'd order online, however I felt confident in doing so after using GlassesUSA.com's virtual try on feature, and they fact that they have a no hassle free return policy makes it completely worry free.

When I was in high school there was one class where I was assigned a seat in the back and had trouble reading the board. I got my eyes checked and came home with the ugliest pair of glasses, which my parents spent upwards of $300 on. I wore them for that class and that class alone, and haven't gotten my eyes checked since. I know I can't live in denial of not needing glasses forever, though it's amazing how much the internet has changed the landscape of prescription lenses. Companies like GlassesUSA.com offer frames including perscription lenses for as little as $48, which is simply remarkable, and makes the idea of addressing my myopia a little less intimidating; for my wallet anyway.

        

The Rundown
 Grey Cable Knit Sweater Gap similar
White Jeans Old Navy
Over the Knee Boots "Atilla" Ivanka Trump similar
Suede Bag Shop in Italy similar
Grey Fur Pom Amazon
Grey Wool Hat Forever 21 similar 
Bling Earrings c/o JoJo Loves You
Watch "Classic Sheffield" c/o Daniel Wellington
Beaded Bracelet Alex & Ani
Gold Bracelets The Cavernous Jewelry Box
Gold Wrap Ring gift from Meg similar
Sunglasses "Glasgow" Ottoto c/o GlassesUSA

Classy Yet Trendy's Trendy Wednesday
and
Shopping My Closet's Style Me Wednesday

This post is sponsored by GlassesUSA.com, thanks for supporting the brands who support Chic on the Cheap!