BY SARAH SCHEMBRI
Instagram: Sarah.schemb
I am not a morning person. It takes a pint of tea, a warm shower and a whole hour to pass before I can construct a proper sentence without sounding like I am being tortured. It took my teenage years, arguing with my mother to wake me up gently, and tweaks to my routine when I started living on my own, to figure out how I can look and feel refreshed every single morning without a lot of effort.
If you are like me, and you want to channel effortless style before seven in the morning, if you want to feel your creativity flow in your veins and you want to feel inspired to take on another day to achieve your goals, then here are ten things you should do every night, so you can feel incredible every morning.
LAY OUT YOUR CLOTHES
Looking elegant and stylish every day is challenging if you are rushing and you spend half of the time scratching your head and deciding what you are going to wear. I found that laying out the clothes for the next morning, together with the shoes and accessories, is a no-brainer to looking sophisticated and stylish every single morning. Here’s a tip for you, check the weather so that you will prepare the right clothes.
TAKE OFF YOUR MAKEUP
I’m not going to lecture you about the benefits for your skin that come with removing your makeup before bed. All I know is that when I clean my face and moisturize, the next morning my face always looks refreshed and healthy, even if I am sleep deprived.
BATH AND LOTION
There is something soothing and luxurious about taking a bath before bed and using lotion all over your body. This may not be something you can do every night but making time for this ritual is ideal as it feels so good to unwind in that warmth and then smell like lavender, Argan oil or any other luxurious lotion that you love. I literally sleep like a baby whenever I take a bath.
READ SOMETHING INSPIRING
Whether you need tips on how to deal with work issues or you simply want to ignite your creativity, reading something inspiring before bed can help you do this, so you can have a better grasp on things the next day. I usually read a good book, although lately, I have come across Madeliene Rose’s stories which are so dreamy and these days, I like to end my day by reading one of them.
WATCH COMEDY
When my eyes are too worn to read anything, I turn to comedy and watch something that will make me laugh out loud. Whether it is an episode of Modern Family or a comedy sketch, making time to laugh before bed is a way of knowing the day has ended well – no matter how frustrated, stressed or angry I felt at times. Besides, going to sleep in a bad mood will probably mean a worse mood in the morning.
WEAR SOMETHING SOFT AND DELICATE
My days are often spent in heels, wearing tight midi skirts and blouses and sitting in a chair for most of the day, so when night comes around, I like to wear something that soothes my body. Whether that means cozy knits in winter or silk camisole shirts in summer, soft, delicate fabrics will help make the night more pleasant.
BROWSE THROUGH YOUR DAY
Not phone browsing, no. Actually, you should put your phone away and go through your day to figure out what you liked doing and what caused you stress. Understand if you can change up your routine or do things differently, so you can be less stressed and have better days.
BE GRATEFUL
Tying in with the previous point, you might want to acknowledge one thing you are grateful for before you fall asleep. Even in the worst times, when everything is going bad, being grateful for the smallest things will help you to confront the challenges of the coming day.
WATCH THE STARS
I don’t know about you, but I have a small window in my bedroom and when I am lying in bed I can see the same three stars if the sky is clear. No matter if I am having the best days of my life or the worst, whenever I gaze at the stars, I always remember that there is something bigger than me, the thought of which somehow, always helps me keep my feelings and thoughts in check.
FALL ASLEEP TO THE SOUNDS OF THE NIGHT
I used to fall asleep with the TV on but I learned that I felt more at peace and I had less chaotic thoughts when I slept to the sounds of the night. Whether you hear birds chirping, cars passing or the sound of people talking, sleeping to the sounds of the night is comforting, knowing you are in bed, still and at peace, while life is passing by.
