When we recently refreshed our editor pages, I noticed that almost everyone filled in something about “quick rush stress” when asked about their morning ritual. Jet always knows how to find the snooze button, Peggy always stays in bed a quarter of an hour too long and the undersigned always arrives at the office with wet hair. The only one who really walks into the Amayzine offices completely groomed is May-Britt, and in the time she has done that, three small kids have also been dressed and taken to school – how she does it is a mystery. Look, getting up is something you either do or not (pun intended) and we can't make it more fun. But, we can make it easier, because today in the Explorer we discuss tips & tricks to save as much time as possible in the morning and thus be able to stay in bed as long as possible without stress as punishment.
Most time is lost by snoozing. All the books and scholars say it, snoozing is bad for humans. You think you need those extra minutes of sleep to wake up, but the opposite is true, it only makes you more tired. I myself am a professional snoozer and even set my alarm half an hour earlier for it, but actually, we shouldn't do that. Hopefully, you are wiser than I am: stop snoozing! Once you’ve climbed out of bed, it’s time for the shower and this is the first stop to gain many minutes. Everything you can do in the shower, do it. Brushing your teeth for example, saves you 5 minutes. You shouldn't wash your hair more than three times a week anyway, and if you are blessed with hair that doesn't necessarily need to be wet every morning, bundle it in a high bun on your head and keep it dry.
Look, getting up is something you either do or not and we can't make it more fun.
Then your clothes, this is where most time can be saved. Actually, you should prepare five outfits on Sunday for the whole week. If you know exactly what you are going to wear in the morning, you suddenly have oceans of time left for, oh let's say, breakfast? Painting your nails? Planning is therefore the key. Check the weather report and hang clothes ready by your closet. Much more fun too because then you can really wear nice outfits instead of hastily grabbing something from your closet, which means you look practically the same all week (as is the case for me most days of the week). You don't have the desire or time to iron, so hang wrinkled clothes on a hanger in the bathroom so that the steam from the shower makes the wrinkles disappear. No inspiration? Always take photos of yourself when you think you look nice. Save them in a folder called ’outfits‘ and look back in case of emergency. Or hang them on the inside of the closet door as stylist Kate Young advises. You could also hang some photos of celebrities that inspire you.
Last stop, make-up. It’s important to find out which parts of your standard make-up are strictly necessary. Foundation + powder + blush + eyebrows + mascara + eyeshadow + eyeliner + lipstick, in case of haste, it’s just not feasible. Opt for a day cream that combines with foundation, apply a little blush on your cheeks for some color, and give your lashes a small coat of mascara. Hair in a tight bun or ponytail and you’re done.
Finally, everyone always says that you shouldn't skip breakfast, so don't do that either. I have the luxury of always being able to have breakfast at the office (big bowls of fruit and yogurt), but for those who can't do that, you have to work differently. When I wasn't at Amayzine yet, I always found salvation in those small ready-to-eat yogurt cups with muesli from Albert Heijn, ideal for the train. For those who bike to work, an apple works just fine, or some kind of breakfast muesli bar. Nutrition experts will probably protest loudly now, but hey, I know nothing about nutrition, I'm just talking about how to get out the door as quickly as possible. Take these tips to heart and you will see, every morning you suddenly have oceans of time to hit snooze a few more times.
