Christy Wright
Christy Wright is the founder of Business Boutique, helping equip women to make money doing what they love, and the author of a book of the same name. She currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with her two sons, Carter and Conley, and her husband, Matt.
What is your morning routine?
I have three morning routines depending on what time I wake up:
- I wake up at 4:15am to work out. I get ready, get some coffee, and head to the gym. I work out from about 5:00 to 6:00am, and then I come home and drink another cup of coffee before helping with my boys (getting them milk, changing their diapers, helping them go potty, etc.). Then I get in the shower and get ready for work.
- I wake up at 6:00am. Get coffee, help with the boys, shower, and get ready for work.
- I wake up to my son hitting me on the head with his Mickey Mouse stuffed animal and scramble the rest of the morning because I didn’t wake up before the kids to get a head start. That’s real life with little ones!
How long have you stuck with this routine so far?
I’ve stuck with this routine as long as I’ve had children, so three years.
How has your morning routine changed over recent years?
I want to add quiet time in the morning but haven’t done so yet. The reality is that I don’t get much sleep with a one-year-old and a three-year-old, so I usually prioritize sleeping a little longer. But I do think as they get older and life gets easier I will add some quiet time in.
What time do you go to sleep?
I go to sleep between 9:30-10:15pm.
Do you do anything before going to bed to make your morning easier?
I set out my workout clothes. When I set them out the night before, I usually go. When I don’t, I usually don’t. It’s amazing how much of a difference mentally that one step makes for me the next day.
Do you use an alarm to wake you up in the morning, and if so do you ever hit the snooze button?
I laughed out loud at this. Yes. Yes, I use an alarm and yes, I hit snooze… about thirty times. It’s a real problem. (Editor: If you have this same problem we recommend keeping your alarm outside your bedroom overnight. See our article on how to wake up (better) for more on this.)
How soon after waking up do you have breakfast, and what do you typically have?
I usually don’t eat breakfast because of the snooze button problem, but when I do, I eat Greek yogurt with blueberries and granola, or a bagel with cream cheese.
Do you have a morning workout routine?
Yes, I love to be active and exercise, running and lifting weights specifically. My favorite days are those that I work out.
Do you have a morning meditation routine?
I don’t unless I’m working out. Doing yoga and meditating is a part of that particular exercise.
Do you answer email first thing in the morning or leave it until later in the day?
I usually answer email later in the day.
Do you use any apps or products to enhance your sleep or morning routine?
I have the Bible app, and I read that (or my real Bible) before bed and usually before getting up, even if it’s quick. I have an app called Happy Scale that helped me lose baby weight after my second son. I use that to log my weight when I start getting off track from my goal range.
How soon do you check your phone in the morning?
I usually do that either when I sit down to have my coffee first thing or after a workout.
What are your most important tasks in the morning?
My most important tasks in the morning are getting my boys (and myself) ready for the day.
What and when is your first drink in the morning?
Coffee, first thing.
How does your partner fit into your morning routine?
Our morning routine is together. Other than alternating workout days, we wake up at the same time, have coffee together, get our boys ready together, and get ready to leave the house together. It’s definitely a team effort to get everything going for the day.
Do you also follow this routine on weekends, or do you change some steps?
We have little kids, so I feel like we may never sleep in again! It’s the same on the weekends except that we don’t get ready for work. We lounge around longer drinking coffee and watching cartoons with the boys.
On days you’re not settled in your home, are you able to adapt your routine to fit in with a different environment?
Yes! I travel a lot for my job, so I’m definitely able to adapt to fit whatever else I have going on those mornings.
What do you do if you fail to follow your morning routine, and how does this influence the rest of your day?
I don’t feel like my routine is that set because of having small kids and the fact that they can derail my plans. When we all get out of the house on time and are somewhat put together, it’s a success. My morning routine in five years will probably look a lot different because my kids will be in school, and it will certainly be more predictable with no diapers, sleep regressions, etc.
Anything else you would like to add?
I may not be a good example for your audience because I am not a very disciplined, structured person by nature. I am creative and spontaneous and like to fly by the seat of my pants. I have some habits that help me be effective and reach my goals, but I can’t say that I have a really consistent, impressive morning routine that someone should follow. I hope if nothing else, this was relatable for all the parents of little kids out there doing the best they can in this crazy season of life!
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