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After the high energy—and high heat—of summer, I always love the gentle shift into fall. It feels like a deep breath inspired by the changing light and turning leaves that makes me feel grounded and calm. With the cozy vibes of a new season, I find myself returning to the AM rituals that feel nourishing—a calm morning routine that centers me before the world wakes up.
My morning routine is a rhythm I’ve been building for years. It started back in college when I was craving structure in the midst of so many life transitions, and out of those practical steps I found solace and comfort. Now, my morning routine is a daily return to myself, a compass for charting my progress on the things that matter most to me.
Here’s how I’m romanticizing my fall mornings this season—with a few favorite fall finds from our partner Target to make the practices feel beautiful and aligned.
A Soft Start: Sleep Score and Skincare
After waking, the first thing I always do is check my Oura Ring stats. I’ve been using it since Christmas (Adam and I gifted them to each other), and I love how it gives me insight into how I’ve slept—especially how much deep sleep and much REM sleep I got, and whether my body is fully recovered. It’s helped me get more in tune with what I actually need each day.
Skincare is next. I always do this first thing to wake me up and let all my products soak in while I do the rest of my morning routine. I keep my AM skincare quick and streamlined to keep me consistent. A gentle cleanser, Vitamin C serum, and good sunscreen are non-negotiables:
- The Purist Daily Gel Cleanser—gentle, refreshing, and perfect for a wake-up. This one is loaded with antioxidants to keep my skin hydrated.
- Weekend Glow Brightening Serum—a good vitamin C serum can work wonders, and this one evens out my skin while adding a dewy glow.
- Good Defense Daily Sunscreen—I’ll always layer on a moisturizing SPF so my skin feels “complete,” whether I end up putting on makeup or not.
Then I pull on some cozy loungewear. Wearing something soft and breathable is a mental signal that the day is beginning and it’s time to ease into it.
My Morning Coffee Ritual
From there, coffee. I love my coffee ritual so much I look forward to it the night before! Rather than viewing it as something I “need” to get going in the morning, I look at a cup of coffee as a treat to myself. Using a favorite mug or sprinkling a little cinnamon is a shift into creating mode. It’s such a sensory experience—from the smell of the beans to the milk as it froths, I try to be present for it. To ground and delight in how it all comes together without feeling rushed. Coffee lovers know: Nothing beats this simple joy.
Create a Calm Haven
I’m a huge believer that our surroundings shift our mental state, and I like to create an environment that feels like a cozy cocoon—a pocket of peace before the day officially begins. I light a candle and get set-up in the living room, either with some throw pillows or a yoga cushion on the floor. This gets me in a different head space than if I were sitting at my office desk or still in bed.
A Page a Day: Intentions, Prayer, and Creativity
With my AirPods in and a soothing playlist going, I launch into my journaling ritual. I either write longhand in a journal, or use the Evernote app and Apple Pencil so I can write, sketch, and type—all in one place. This makes it easy to revisit old entries to see how I’ve grown, mark answers that have come through, and even find newsletter inspiration.
My mornings always begin with prayer. For me, this looks like taking a few moments to feel God’s presence and let that stillness infuse how I want to move about the day. From there, I write what’s on my heart and set three daily guiding priorities. Sometimes they’re work-related, sometimes deeply personal—but these are the small, steady steps that move me closer to the life I’m creating.
Nourish from the Inside Out
Once I’ve spent that time connecting with myself mentally and spiritually, my body is ready for some nourishment. In the fall, I crave cozy breakfasts to start my day and a delicious bowl of protein oatmeal, regular or grain-free, is a go-to. I’ll elevate mine with added protein and chai spices, plus some coconut, pear, and walnuts for more texture. I love a one-bowl breakfast that can fuel me until lunchtime, and this one does the trick. This is also when I’ll remember to take any daily supplements I’m on, like my probiotic and a multivitamin.
Chai-Spiced Protein Oatmeal
- In a saucepan, combine 2 cups oats and 3 cups water. Add 2 chai tea bags. Bring it to a simmer over medium heat.
- While simmering, add diced pears and a scoop of pumpkin and stir.
- Cook for 5 min until it starts getting creamy. Whisk together 1 cup oat milk with 1 scoop protein powder, then stir into oatmeal.
- Divide into bowls, top with maple, walnuts, coconut and more oat milk if desired.
TL;DR: I’m not trying to do more this fall—the goal is to ensure my time is aligned with how I ultimately define success. Even though the fall can have its own hectic pacing, my morning routine helps me set priorities, rather than start the day in reactivity mode. I hope you can feel inspired to let your mornings feel the same.
For more of my entertaining, food, decor, and fashion faves, explore and shop my Target storefront.
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