I've always referred to myself as a morning person but realistically, this is wildly, wildly untrue. Yes I wake up every day at a time that should be illegal (latest 6am), but that's simply because I have to. Because if I didn't, the umpteen emails and posts and photos and deadlines would never be completed in time and Oh bye lie ins, I hope you're doing really well, it was nice knowing ya when I was a teen!
But over the years of dragging myself out of bed - and hating on my alarm clock more than Taylor Swift hated Kanye in 2009 - I've learned a few little tips and tricks to make mornings easier and I just thought that a gal pal better share that knowledge for anyone else out there that's not much of a morning person. Because in all honesty, once I'm awake and raring to go, mornings are my absolute favourite time and there's nothing better than a positive morning to kick off the day.
For me it all stems from having things to look forward to, being productive, maybe even learning a new skill or two on the way, but always waking up to a new experience and a positive, fresh outlook, so here are a few new things I'm trying for a "Let's do this" kind of day!
Coffee. Oh Man there is no point in even trying to wake me up if there isn't a coffee in sight within 10 minutes of opening my eyes. You only have to follow me on instagram to know that coffee comes pretty high up on my "love you boo" list and my new favourite which I now refuse to deviate from (yes I have become a coffee snob #sorrynotsorry) is NESCAFÉ, specifically NESCAFÉ Azera Intenso which omg is the dreamiest coffee ever. It is so smooth and rich and creamy and incredibly full of flavour and I now can't imagine ever going back. And what's even better is that NESCAFÉ have released a beautiful NESCAFÉ Azera By Design 2017 limited edition range which is so pretty (and has definitely helped the coffee become my new favourite because who doesn't want to drink coffee from the most gorgeous printed tins?). They have 9 different tins, all of which are so much fun and definitely add a sassy little edition to your kitchen worktop.
The NESCAFÉ Azera By Design designs are all crafted around positivity (which I adore) and the prints you'll see throughout this post (sassy oyster card holder, notebook, yoga mat etc.) were all designed by students at the University for Creative Arts and embody positivity. I love all of this because positivity is the key to a successful morning/day/task etc. but that aside, look at how cute the prints are!! [insert heart eye'd emojis here].
Another thing I've started doing is to have a little to do list/brainstorming session and I've realised now that I really am of those people that feels so much more prepared for my working day ahead once I've written out everything that I need to do, and yes it's old school to use a notepad and pen but I am a secret granny at heart. But it's not just the standard to do's that I've started to note down, I've now started to brainstorm what new experience I can do that morning or day and how to put it into fruition. Nothing beats that rush or feeling of content and satisfaction once you've tried something new so I would definitely recommend planning ahead as it's one of my favourite new ways to start the day with positivity. Plus, let's all appreciate just how satisfying it is when you get to tick off everything you've managed to do at the end of the day. If it's too early for you to be that productive, a good little doodle and colouring in session - don't knock it til you've tried it, there's a reason adult colouring books went crazy last year - is also another amazing new way to chill, zen out, and start the day with nothing to stress about other than what you fancy wearing. Plus I've started doing all of these things in my new snazzy yellow coffee bean notebook, NESCAFÉ Azera design fyi, because it's all colourful and fun and puts a big fat smile on my face.
Yes I am that easily pleased ;)
Now, not many exercise routines, classes, sports etc. can get me out of bed in the morning but in the theme of waking up to new experiences I decided to mix things up and try something new and sweet baby jesus, yoga with a view is going to start your morning off with a bang. I love sunrises - honestly I think sunrise and sunsets make me happier than Harry Potter - and I love that quiet, calm and still time of morning when nobody is around and the sun is starting to rise, so heading off to an amazing viewpoint in London - hey greenwich, you looking really pretty today - to get some downward dogs* in was one of my favourite new experiences and definitely convinced me to try something new as often as I can.
*I am the definition of all the gear and no idea but God loves a trier right?
My yoga mat is another NESCAFÉ Azera design and I think we can all agree that it's the prettiest yoga mat ever. I actually had 2 people approach me to ask me where it was from, who knew I was a secret yoga mat influencer ;)
The next new thing I decided to try is now a new personal fave, learning a language on your commute. Hands up who hates the tube/trains/general public transport more than anything? Yep, I see you all raising your hands... but recently I've been listening to Duolingo, an app to teach you a language and I've become obsessed with it. I've been dabbling in some Spanish and even though I can still just about say hello - because I have the memory of a fish - it just feels so good to do something productive but most importantly, I end up focusing so much on what sexy, sassy, spanish words are being said that I completely zone out and forget that I'm on a packed train, probably with an armpit in my face. Plus it means I get to parade around my phone case and oyster card which I think might be my favourite Azera design yet. Simple but bright and colourful and always puts me in a good mood (even with said armpit in face).
Last but not least, the final thing I decided to try is to make the most of my morning and indulge my inner tourist. My meetings are always based in central London or sometimes in trendy ole Shoreditch so I decided to jump off the tube a stop or two early and grab a cliche tourist snap (forcing an innocent passerby into taking a photo for me. Lol) and I absolutely loved it! Plus I managed to get an extra few steps in and for a gal that likes to sit on her butt drinking coffee all day with a cake - because the two are just the perfect pairing amiright? - this is never a bad thing!
So that brings me to the end of my little tips and tricks to help you have a more positive morning and get the best out of your day. The NESCAFÉ Azera By Design ethos of waking up to new experiences really challenged me to push myself out of my comfort zone so I really hope it inspired you to try something new. I know you won't always have time for some of these things but putting aside an extra hour to do something new will always, always be worth it. And most importantly, there's always time for a morning coffee, especially those that come in tin's prettier than Beyonce.
I would love to know if you've got your hands on a NESCAFÉ, Azera by Design tin yet? What are your tips for making mornings easier? I always love hearing your thoughts :)
As always, thanks so much for reading!
xx
This post was sponsored by NESCAFÉ Azera. All thoughts, photos and extreme love of bloody good coffee, my own.
Labels: Lifestyle
