If you’re anything like me, you’re always searching for the perfect morning routine. As a busy, single working mum of twins, that routine can be hard to refine and even harder to stay consistent with. Especially when the kids are little. Back in the baby and toddler stages, my only routine was survival. I was never one of those mums who had it all together.
Some days are better than others and honestly, if I manage to nail my morning routine even once in a week – that’s a win for me.
I work full-time and my twins are now in secondary school. Although they’re older, life hasn’t slowed down at all. Between hobbies, travel, friendships, family gatherings, work commitments, school schedules and everything in between, juggling it all requires real intention.
Life is never completely straightforward and there will always be setbacks – which is exactly why having an achievable routine matters.
So, I’m sharing what my mornings look like – from the moment I wake up to when I start work. Hopefully, it gives you a little inspiration to build (and stick to) your own routine.
6:15am–6:30am: Wake Up
(5:30am if I’m planning Pilates)
When I wake up, I like to “open” the house. That means drawing the curtains, switching on soft lighting if it’s still dark, feeding the cat and bunny and making a cup of herbal tea.
I’ll sit quietly with my tea for around 10 minutes just gently waking up and mentally running through what needs to be done. If it’s a busier morning with lots of school or work tasks, I’ll check the notes on my phone. I love the feeling of ticking things off as I go.
My go-to morning tea is Twinings Glow – I’ve been drinking it for over three years now. I genuinely love both the flavour and the benefits.
Key benefits of Twinings Glow:
- Supports skin and hair (contains biotin)
- Helps boost hydration and radiance with aloe vera
- Provides antioxidants from green tea
- Very low in calories (around 2 kcal per 200ml)
- A light strawberry and cucumber flavour that feels fresh and uplifting
I recently quit coffee (again!). The last time I stopped, I managed over four years without it – but fell back into the habit during the Covid days. Looking back, I loved how my skin looked and how I felt overall, so I’m ready to get back to that.
I’ve also been on a weight loss journey. I’ve always been naturally slim, but pregnancy with twins changed things – as expected. I lost the baby weight gradually over 18 months through consistent exercise, mainly HIIT workouts from home and got back to a size 8/10 – which felt amazing.
I’ll be sharing more insights on weight loss over 40 soon.
6:30am–7:15am: Kitchen Routine
This is when I head into the kitchen – emptying the dishwasher and preparing the girls’ lunches. They’re not fans of school meals, so I still make them bento-style lunches. It gives me peace of mind knowing they’re eating something healthy, although I do give them some allowance in case they want something from the canteen.
Once that’s done, I prepare my collagen drink and protein shake.
I use Feel Vegan Collagen every morning to support my skin, hair and nails. I’m lucky that my family has good genes – we tend to age well – but as I head further into my forties, I’m happy to take a little extra help. I chose Feel because I’ve seen results before and I love that they offer a vegan option.
Key benefits of Feel Vegan Collagen:
- Improves skin hydration, elasticity and suppleness
- Clinically shown to reduce wrinkles over time
- Supports joints and reduces stiffness
- Boosts the body’s natural collagen production
- Strengthens hair and nails
- Highly absorbable, plant-based and allergen-free
- Ethical, cruelty-free and sustainable
I truly believe good skin starts from within. Skincare products are great, but they work best alongside what you’re putting into your body – not as a replacement.
For breakfast, I have a Free Soul vegan protein shake. I’ve tried so many over the years, but I always come back to this one. I’ve used Free Soul since it first launched and even worked with them on my previous lifestyle blog. It’s a brand I genuinely love.
The shake is light (not overly thick), packed with nutrients and tastes amazing.
Key benefits of Free Soul Vegan Protein:
- High-quality plant-based protein (pea and hemp)
- Supports hormonal balance and overall wellbeing
- Helps boost energy levels
- Rich in nutrients like iron and magnesium
- Supports healthy hair, skin and nails
- Dairy-free, gluten-free and easy to digest
- Helps with satiety and weight management
7:15am–7:45am: Getting Ready
The girls usually wake up between 6:45 and 7:15, which works well for us. The earlier they’re up, the smoother things go – especially on busy school or office days.
I like them to wake up gently, without stress and have time to enjoy their breakfast. I offer different options where I can, but sometimes it’s simply what’s available in the fridge or cupboards.
While they’re eating, I get myself ready. What that looks like depends on the day ahead. If I’m heading into the office, it’s a full get-ready routine. If I’m working from home (which is most days), it’s a quick face wash and getting dressed – usually into something comfortable but presentable for the school run.
I’ll also use this time to do a quick tidy – fold blankets, make beds and make sure everyone has what they need for the day.
8:10am: Post School Run Reset
I’m usually back from the school run around this time, which gives me about 40 minutes before starting work. Previously, I would log straight on – but recently, I’ve become more intentional about protecting this time for myself.
If everything’s running smoothly, this is where I really habit stack. I’ll grab my Shark CryoGlow Mask, hop on the treadmill and put on a short session, usually 6–8 minutes with the mask, while doing a quick Duolingo lesson on my phone. Once that’s done, I’ll walk for a few more minutes, then jump into a quick bath or shower.
By around 8:50/8:55, I’m ready to log on—and that’s my morning routine complete.
In that time, I’ve nourished my body, moved a little, sorted the kids, kept on top of the house, done some skincare and even squeezed in a bit of learning. And somehow, in between all of that, I also run this blog.
Using notes throughout the day really helps me capture ideas, draft posts and slowly refine them into something I can share with you, my lovely readers.
