Have you ever gone through a period of time that was so much that when you do reach the metaphorical finish line, you look back and think: How did I even do that?

I just finished one of the most stressful, intense, fast-paced stretches of the year starting with the week after February break and through April 1st– and it was relentless until it wasn’t. 

My job demands were constant and the workload was incredible. Many of my coworkers commented that it was simply untenable or, more accurate, unsustainable. 

But somehow I kept everything at home working and moving– even with my late nights at work and running list of to-dos.

I woke up this morning at my usual 5am (body clock routine) and had a hot cup of coffee while sitting down (joy) in quiet (amazing) without having to make a single decision (priceless). 

As I reflected on the past 6 weeks, I had the thought: 

Thank God I stayed organized and on top of our bare-basic routines or this stretch would have been a dumpster fire. 

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What Actually Worked… 

The Weekend Reset (My Only Weekly Control Point)

By Sunday night, all of my girls’ uniforms, play clothes, pajamas, underwear, socks, and extracurricular outfits are packed in the 5 drawer system just outside the laundry room. 

This simple drawer system is what makes our entire week possible—these are the exact organizers I use:

• Drawer organizer
• Ziploc bags for play clothes (nothing fancy here!) 

I never have to hope that anything is clean or struggle to find items at 5am– I know exactly where they are and can practically sleepwalk through that part of my morning routine. This is the only reason our mornings don’t fall apart during busy seasons.

In my post Weekend Reset Routine for Busy Moms (Simple Drawer System), I describe the weekend reset that has absolutely saved my sanity.

Groceries + Amazon System

All weekly groceries ordered, picked up, emptied and organized, and prepped for the first half of the week–at least through Wednesday night (when I get home close to 7pm).

On weekends, I place one Amazon order for all subscriptions and family restock items that have been ordered from Amazon (hair products, items that need replacing, bulk snacks for the week). I try to keep Amazon purchases to one day a week so that I can keep track of spending and purchases. 

Childcare Schedule System

I create a weekly childcare schedule on a simple Google Doc and send it to my in-laws, parents, kids’ babysitter, and husband (literally our “village”) by Sunday night. This makes sure that the crazy schedule is accounted for and I never have to stress about childcare needs on a daily basis. 

This is especially helpful because I work SO many hours (compared to teachers without extracurriculars) and my husband works 2 jobs during busy seasons with lots of overtime and a rotating schedule. 

No two weeks ever look the same. I could not survive without a schedule. 

Many people have recommended digital calendar systems, but my Google chart is so routine and easy to share that I can’t imagine using another system. 

All paperwork for the week is processed and filed into my daughter’s folder and school bag. I have really made an effort to submit paperwork as soon as I can otherwise the deadlines sneak up on me. 

What my morning reflection made very clear was this:

All of these systems were working beautifully…

for everyone except me.

I had created routines that eliminated decision fatigue for my kids, my household, and our schedule—but I was still starting every day making dozens of decisions for myself before 6AM.

I need to create the exact same systems for me. 

This is my accountability post—hopefully it gives you ideas to try, but also pushes me to finally make these changes.

My Current 5AM Morning Routine

• Wake up at 5AM
• Shower (if I didn’t the night before)
• Make my daughter’s lunch + snacks
• Make my own meals (breakfast, lunch, sometimes dinner)
• Pack bags for school + aftercare
• Lay out the girls’ clothes
• Get myself ready
• Out the door by 6:45am

It works—but it’s a lot of decision-making before I even walk out the door.

And that’s exactly what I need to change.

What Isn’t Working

• Deciding what to eat at 5AM
• Digging through laundry piles for outfits
• Rushing my own routine
• Showing up already mentally drained

I had built systems to take care of everyone else—but none to take care of myself.

My Plan to Fix My Mornings (Simple Changes): 

1. Meal Prep for Me: This is the one change that will eliminate my 5AM decision fatigue completely. I’m going back to prepping my breakfasts and lunches on Sundays using these exact glass containers I use every week—nothing leaks, they stack perfectly, and I don’t use anything else anymore.

I also love these salad jars that keep everything fresh. They’re a few years old that I got as Weight Watchers reward, but I found a similar option in glass that I plan to purchase. 

My favorite veggie chopper makes the perfect chopped veggies every time– for salads that satisfy the eye and appetite!

Here’s exactly what this looks like in real life:

2. Weekend Laundry Reset for Me: Having a clean, ready-to-wear set of outfits will eliminate one of my biggest morning stress points. Many mornings I get to work and  wish I had spent some more time on my own appearance. 

2. No-Decision Mornings: If a decision can be made the night before, it will be! This also includes moving showering to my nighttime routine (which also needs an overhaul, but one thing at a time). 

2. Build in Time for Me: Schedule in my own time while I am looking at the family’s weekly calendar. As the weather gets nicer, I am going to plan a morning walk (even if just 10 minutes) when I wake up (with all of the time I will gain back from planning on the weekend). On nights that I am able, I plan to walk again after dinner with my daughters. On nights I am working late, it will be a non-negotiable to get fresh air and a walk in during the school day. I need and deserve some time. 

Simple Products That Make This Routine Work

These are the simple tools that make these systems actually work in real life:

• Drawer organizers (the system that keeps our mornings running)
• Meal prep containers (for prepped breakfasts + lunches)
• Salad containers (for quick grab-and-go meals)
• Veggie chopper (for picture-perfect salads in seconds)
• Comfortable sneakers for long days
• Water bottle I use every morning

Final Thoughts… 

I don’t need a completely new routine.

I just need to apply the same systems that already work for my family… to myself.

Because mornings don’t need more effort—they need fewer decisions.

And I’m ready to make that shift.