Happiness Project for March: Peaceful Mornings

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If you know me at all, you know if there is one thing I hate, it's mornings.  I've never understood morning people and never will - you people scare me.  However, I do say "hello" to people when I walk into work now and will even crack a smile at them now and then.

So for you to fully understand what my Happiness Project goal is for March, I think it's best I describe my typical workday morning for you:

1. Blackberry alarm goes off at 6:40 a.m.
2. I reflex like a ninja without even so much as a removal of my sleep mask to hit snooze until around 7:20 a.m.
3. Stumble out of bed to the bathroom, sleep mask on forehead.
4. Look at myself in mirror and think yikes, that's not good.  You're looking pretty haggard.
5. Tie hair up, wash face and brush teeth.
6. Scramble for an outfit, sometimes digging a cardigan or cami out from dirty laundry pile.  I'm being honest here. 
7. Hope I find my standard pair of black pumps by the front door.  If they aren't there, I'm in trouble because I don't have time to play black pump scavenger hunt. 
8. Throw hair into messy bun or add mousse to wear wavy.  Spritz perfume and throw on whatever jewlery I can find on my bathroom counter that matches.
9. Grab cell off bed, throw into my purse sitting by my front door, find keys and run out at 7:40 a.m.
10. Notice there was no time for make-up?  That's because I do that on my drive to work at red lights.  Not safe at all and I fully recognize that.  Hence, why my goal this month is a peaceful morning.

"Technically" I should get to work at about 7:45 so I have time to get a cup of our less than mediocre office coffee, fill up my water bottle, open Outlook and get situated.  Realistically, I'm usually sitting down at my desk at 8 a.m. or 8:05 a.m.  This has to stop.  The make-up in the car definitely has to stop.  I want to feel calm on my drive my to work and ready to start my day when I walk in.

This month my goal is to have a peaceful morning, and in order to achieve said goal, I'm going to implement the following changes:

1. Go to bed earlier.  I normally don't fall asleep until at least midnight because I'm too busy playing on Blogger or watching my DVRd Oprah episode.  I'm implementing a strict bed time of 10:30 p.m.  with TV and lap top off by 11 p.m.  Ugh, that's going to be so hard. 
2. Do not hit snooze more than twice.  This means feet on floor and sleep mask off by 7 a.m.
3. Pick out my outfit the night before.  I can't tell you how much time I waste in the mornings deciding what to wear and then finding outfit pieces. 
4. Out the door by 7:30 a.m.  I hate feeling so rushed on my drive to work. 

There you have it, my happiness project goal for the month of March.  If you recall for January I cleaned my closet and February I worked on my fitness.  I'm still going to continue with Fitness Fridays since I do need to keep myself accountable and this is the best way for me to do it. 

I'll keep you updated on my progress toward a peaceful morning throughout the month of March.  Wish me luck!  And if you have any morning routine tips that work for you, I welcome them.  I need all the help I can get.