17 Things to Do At Night to Make Your Morning Easier

Do you scramble every morning to get out the door? Do you feel like you start each day 10 steps behind? There’s just not enough time in the morning to get every last thing done. The key to smooth and easy days, is starting the night before. Here are 17 simple ways to make life easier for tomorrow.

1. Do a 5 minute clean-up

Anything you pick up now, doesn’t need picked up tomorrow. If your house is anything like mine, this is the only time you can rely on a space to remain clean for longer than 10 seconds.

2. Start the dishwasher

There is nothing more deflating than starting your day with a sinkful of dirty dishes. Take care of them now.

3. Check the weather

Don’t scramble for the kids’ snowboots, or miss out on a beautiful spring day, when a little foreknowledge goes a long way.

4. Check tomorrow’s schedule

This is so obvious, yet often overlooked. Check the schedule now, before the day sneaks up on you.

5. Lay out your clothes

Your clothes, the kids’, maybe even your spouse’s if you’re into that. It will save you valuable decision-making brain power tomorrow morning.

6. Pack your diaper bag, purse, or kids’ backpacks

I spent the entire second year of my child’s life lugging around an enormous diaper bag, nary a diaper to be seen. Check it mamas, check it.

7. Set up an invitation to play

Give your littles something to do, instead of clinging to your legs while you scramble eggs. This doesn’t have to be complicated. Just a rarely-seen toy, or a collection of odds and ends to explore on the coffee table.

8. Check tomorrow’s meal plan

Make sure you have all the ingredients, and there aren’t any last-minute changes.

9. Thaw a crockpot meal in the fridge

Frozen crockpot meals are the ultimate kitchen time-savers. For inspiration, follow me on Pinterest.

10. Pack lunches

Enough said.

 

11. Set up for breakfast

Maybe you go all-in and whip up some overnight oats. Maybe you just put the cereal bowls out on the kitchen table. Either way you’re streamlining your morning.

12. Braindump

Braindumps are one of my favorite ways to destress at the end of the day. Don’t worry about making a neat, cohesive list. Just take the swirling thoughts rushing around your mind, and let them rest on paper.

13. Write down your 2-3 highest priorities for the next day

Plan ahead, and attack these items with the highest importance. If you end up with a to-do list as long as your arm, you don’t know what prioritize means.

14. Nightly Examen {Ignatian Spirituality}

1. Become aware of God’s presence.
2. Review the day with gratitude.
3. Pay attention to your emotions.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it.
5. Look toward tomorrow.

15. Thank your spouse

Everybody appreciates a little gratitude. It only takes a tiny amount of effort on your part. A small, specific “thank you!” can end the night on a high note.

16. Charge your phone {and leave it alone}

Seriously. I need to take my own advice here too. But that little blue light can ruin the biggest day, by keeping you up all night. It’s not worth it! One more cat photo, one more anxiety-inducing headline, one more Facebook scroll won’t replace lost sleep.

17. Get to bed on time

Oh, she saved the hardest for last! But getting your sleep is the single best thing you can do for the next day. It’s the cornerstone habit for an easier morning.

If you need more help planning your evening. Or for help sticking to your oh-so-beautiful-on-paper routine. I cannot recommend this eCourse enough! Crystal Paine is the consummate overachiever. In “Make Over Your Evenings” she breaks it all down for you. You can view the first video of the course by clicking the banner below.