My Morning Routine
From Wake Up to Work
Some people wake up ready to conquer the world at 5 a.m. I am not one of them. I recently had a great conversation with friend, client and owner of Alive & Well, Liz Swail - she brought home the impact that a intentional morning routine bring to our day and to our overall well being!
Cliché as it sounds, that’s why routines have been such a game-changer for me. They give me an easy, almost autopilot way to step into the day with a little more intention (even when discipline isn’t exactly my strong suit in that moment). Honestly, it’s how I keep my 11 a.m. self from being mad at my cozy 6 a.m. self.
Do I nail it every day? Definitely not. I’m more like 80–90% consistent in a good week — and I’m totally okay with that. Because it’s not about perfection, it’s about creating rhythms that carry me forward.
For years, I tried to match my husband Graeme’s routine. He’s a total get-up-and-goer — hands down the most productive morning person I’ve ever met. But I eventually realized I need slower mornings. My most productive time is late morning (thank you, Cloverleaf personality assessment, for confirming that!), so I’ve embraced a balance — being intentional and meeting my goals while still starting my day in a way that fuels my soul.
I’m also learning to celebrate and embrace Graeme’s strengths. In my constant practice of letting go of control, I’ve completely surrendered the kids’ morning routine to his way. Meanwhile, I take the lead in the evenings when I have the energy and presence to be more on top of activities. It’s been such a healthy rhythm for us.
As we kick off Graceful Living, the topic of morning routines felt like the right place to start — because there’s something so powerful about creating beauty in simple rhythms, and beginning the day in a way that keeps my heart present and alive, without comparison to how anyone else might be doing it.
So as you look through my routine, I hope it inspires you to live with intention and authenticity — and to find your own version of balance right from the beginning of the day. For some, that might look like conquering the world by 7 a.m. For others, it might mean embracing slower energy and savoring the sweetest, quietest moments of the morning. Either way, the gift is starting your day in a way that feels true to you — and supports the kind of healthy, sustainable living we’re all aiming for.
xo,
Christina
P.S. While putting this blog together, I connected with Debbie, our Purely Organized expert, and she opened my eyes to a few simple swaps I hadn’t even thought about. Things like choosing tea that doesn’t come in plastic tea bags, updating my yoga mat to one without PVC (polyvinyl chloride), and even switching out my razor for a better, non-toxic option. It reminded me that there’s always room to grow — and sometimes it’s the little changes that feel the most life-giving.
To learn more about our Purely Organized Service click here.
Wellness-First Morning
I usually wake between 5:00–6:00 a.m., depending on whether I have an early workout planned. If I need extra rest, I’ll let myself sleep until 6:30 — but I always try to decide that the night before so I can rise with my alarm instead of hitting snooze… because let’s be honest, my 6 a.m. self does not make good life choices.
The first 30 minutes are tech-free. No scrolling, no emails — just me, my sleepy brain, and the small rituals that actually help me start the day feeling like a human. I begin with:
Tongue scraping (don’t knock it until you try it!)
My Morning Wake-Up Drink
Here’s what goes in:
Juice of ½ a lemon 🍋
1 tsp honey
1 tsp chia seeds
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
½-inch fresh ginger
1 cup hot water
I prep everything the night before so it’s effortless — just pour the hot water in the morning. Otherwise I will most definitely skip! While sipping, I prep my green tea (just steeping an organic green tea bag for 5 minutes and then adding water and ice in a big Yeti cup) and matcha for later. If I skip this step, the day flies by and suddenly it’s 4 p.m., and I’ve missed the drinks that give me energy and focus. Honestly, I’m usually pretty upset with myself if I realize it’s 4pm and I missed my window for these yummy, energy giving drinks!
Quiet Time & Reflection
This is my sacred little corner of calm: 30–45 minutes of devotional reading and journaling. I make a cozy cup of English Breakfast Tea with almond MALK — my favorite clean plant milk (no gums which has REALLY helped relieve bloating!.
Whether I’m on a porch or at my little bistro table in our temporary space, I always have a soft lamp (this one is perfect for early light). It’s my chance to center my heart before the chaos of the day begins. I used to cut it short, but now I allow the full 45 minutes — because honestly, a centered heart is worth a slightly delayed inbox.
Movement & Energy
I rotate workouts so mornings don’t feel stale:
Sunday: Strength at the gym with Graeme
Monday: Evening hot yoga
Tuesday: Strength at the gym
Wednesday: Bootcamp with Graeme + maybe an evening walk with a friend
Thursday: Morning hot yoga
Friday: Long solo walk with a podcast
Saturday: Sauna + walk, yoga, or strength — whatever my mood says
Our sauna has been life-changing. It’s technically two-person, but let’s be real, “together” mostly means sweating silently side by side. Fits perfectly in our temporary condo, so no excuses.
Connection with My Girls
Twice a week, I carve out “tea time” with Addie and Nora. Middle school hit my heart hard this year — late dismissals, a million activities — sometimes I don’t see them until 6–9 p.m.! These short morning pauses are my favorite way to connect. Lately, we’ve been using the Braver, Stronger, Smarter workbook, though sometimes we just sit in silence and sip our tea.
Full disclosure: not every morning tea time is smooth. Some mornings are tears, struggles, and negotiating homework stress. But hey — middle school is not for the faint of heart!
Reset & Refresh
This is where my routines — what we call “zones” at Graceful Spaces — really shine. Without them, things like oil pulling or dry brushing get skipped, and then the shower feels incomplete.
Dry brushing – wakes up circulation
Oil pulling – I’m obsessed with the mint flavor
Body wash – we decant from our large refill (less clutter, more self-care)
Shampoo + conditioner
Finish with a 1–2 minute cold rinse (I know it sounds crazy, but now I crave it!)
Gua Sha Facial & Lymphatic Prep
Before skincare, I do a gua sha facial to support lymphatic drainage and give a natural lift. I love it — my face feels amazing and I can see the difference. Don’t skip opening the lymph stimulation first (more on that and how to do a Gua Sha facial here)!
I’ll also do a lymphatic drainage with my facial cupping tool which is also my favorite! Primarily Pure has a great tool and great information on this process.
1) Dry Brush 2) Pulling Oil 3) Salt & Stone Body Wash
Skincare & Makeup
I keep makeup minimal but love Ilia’s clean line — it works beautifully and feels good on the skin.
Skincare:
Makeup:
Skin Tint (all over)
Mascara (I recently swapped to brown mascara at the advice of my friend over at Under the Oaks and I don’t see myself going back to black!)
1) Face Wash 2) Serum 3) Eye Brightening Cream 4) Eye Patches 5) Lotion 6) Concealer 7) Skin Tint 8) Complexion Stick 9) Setting Powder 10) Bronzer 11) Blush 12) Mascara 13) Product List
Morning Green Smoothie & Supplements
Graeme makes a glowing green smoothie every morning — one of our favorite rituals. I take supplements alongside it and will always follow with some sort of protein (Liz inspired me to keep prioritizing protein in the morning before caffeine!) . Inspired by Kimberly Snyder’s Glowing Green Smoothie, here’s our version that incorporates so much of the daily nutrients we need:
2–3 stalks celery
½ cucumber
1–2 cups spinach
1–2 leaves romaine
½ banana
½ apple
Juice of 1 lemon
½ avocado
Small knob fresh ginger
½ cup frozen raspberries
1 scoop AG1 (or similar greens powder)
1 tsp E3Live (because this has to stay frozen we thaw and then pour into an stainless steel ice cube tray to put back in the freezer and then just pop a cube into our smoothies)
½ tsp Camu Camu powder
Filtered water to blend (we’re using this in our condo right now for hot and cold filtered water)
1) AG1 Greens Powder 2) E3Live 3) Stainless Steel Ice Cube Tray 4) Camu Camu Powder 5) Water Filter Dispenser
Haircare & Bodycare
I wash my hair only three times a week and often air-dry on low-key days. I love my gua sha scalp brush for circulation and hair health. On styling days, I use my Dyson blow dryer and long wand curling iron.
Fun fact: until I was 37, I could never grow my hair past my shoulders. The Oribe hair oil helped SO much, but I don’t use it regularly because it’s not low-toxic. Now, less blow-drying + the scalp brush keeps my hair healthy.
In the last few years I made the leap to Natural deodorant and it was not as scary as I thought! Primary Pure has so much great information on how to choose your natural deodorant and how to make the swap.
Getting Dressed & Tidying Up
Once body and face feel refreshed, I get dressed. Then I make the bed, tidy spaces, and say goodbye to Graeme and the girls as they head out around 8 a.m.
Getting to My Desk
Smoothie finished, supplements taken, I move to my desk for focused work. I am a huge advocate of time-blocking my week and finding it really keeps the “Sunday scaries” at bay and helps me tackle realistic goals. I am learning it’s more than just adding “work time” into my calendar but going deeper to determine the focus of each work block and listing for myself what is realistic to get done in that time window. (More on that in a future post!)
Why It Matters
I really try to make sure my morning isn’t about perfection — it’s about intention. For me, the real gift isn’t just checking off a list — it’s starting the day as a heart that shows up fully, present and alive. When I do that, the rest of my day flows with more ease, more joy, and more space to truly engage with the people and moments I care about most.
From day one, Graceful Spaces has grown organically — every service we’ve created came from the same place: real needs in real life. Purely Organized and Sourced by Graceful Spaces are perfect examples — both rooted in a desire for healthier, simpler, more intentional living. That’s why when I share my morning routine or the low-toxic swaps we’ve made at home, it always comes with a “door open” — because you don’t have to figure it out alone. Our shop page highlights trusted low-toxic favorites, Sourced by GS can procure everything from pantry staples to beauty must-haves, and Purely Organized helps you choose and install low-toxic organizing products that fit your home. Ready to take the first step? Comment below or contact us — we’d love to help you start your own rhythm.
P.S. Little details set the tone for my mornings — and the right products make a huge difference so I do share a few affiliate links to the pieces I truly love, but more than anything, I hope this inspires you to create a morning space that feels calm, grounding, and completely your own, products or no products.