As a mom, athlete, and someone who thrives on a good routine, I’ve learned that structure is my superpower — and also one of the first things to go when summer hits.
With school wrapping up and long, unscheduled days ahead, I’m both excited and a little nervous. No more kid-free mornings, but lots of spontaneous camping trips, river days, cabin weekends, and slow mornings on the back porch. We live for summer — but it’s also a season where my usual rhythm can easily unravel.
In case other parents are feeling all the feels as summer break approaches, I wanted to share my short and sweet morning routine that I thrive on during these unpredictable and amazing months. It’s not a rigid, long, color-coded checklist kind of thing. It’s just a few core habits — simple, consistent, and powerful — that help me feel grounded and strong, no matter what the day holds. Use it as your own or as an inspiration. Either way, start small, and know that you can add or subtract minutes or activities to it as you like or feel the need to do so.
Why Morning Matters (Especially for Parents)
When your schedule is unpredictable, you become the structure.
That’s why my morning routine is less about productivity and more about resilience. It’s a way to check in with myself, fuel my body, and start the day already feeling like I’ve won — even before we’ve packed up for the lake or made pancakes on the camp stove.
And here’s the truth: short doesn’t mean shallow. Even a 20-minute routine can shift my mindset and energy for the rest of the day.
My Current Morning Rhythm and Why I Love It
1. Hydrate + Move a Little
I keep a big glass of water next to my bed and try to drink it before anything else (yes, even coffee). Some people swear by warm water or adding some salt and lemon to it. I do this about half the time, the main thing here is to give your body a big drink before moving on for the day.
Then I’ll do 5–15 minutes of gentle stretching — think cat/cow, forward folds, and some spinal twists. If I have more time, I’ll add some active releases with a roller and or do a program that I like. For the past year I’ve been loving an app called Movement Vault. If you want to check it out, use CHELSEY for a discount.
Gentle movement with breathing gets the blood flowing and helps me feel in my body instead of just reacting to the day.
2. Gnarly Meal Replacement + Collagen Pro
For big, full on days breakfast needs to be quick, easy, and actually nourishing. I blend a scoop of Gnarly Vegan Meal Replacement with some frozen fruit, almond milk, and Gnarly Collagen Pro — done in under a minute, and I know I’ve covered protein, carbs, fats, and gut support all in one. After I’ve downed that, I follow it up with a cup of Gnarly Performance Greens - I love this product because it tells you exactly what is in it and how much of it you are getting. Loads of other brands just give you a list with a ton of stuff and no %’s or amounts of how much you are really getting. After a month of consistent use, I am loving the way this is making me feel both inside and out.
It gives me energy for whatever adventure (or kid chaos) is coming — and keeps me full until lunch, even on the go.
3. A Quiet Moment
This part is constantly evolving, but I try to carve out 5–10 minutes for stillness — whether it’s a short meditation, journaling, or just sipping my shake alone on the porch before everyone wakes up.
Even that small window to check in with myself makes a huge difference in how I handle stress later in the day.
4. Sauna Every Other Day
Last year we added a sauna and a cold plunge to our setup, and I’ve been using it every other morning. Just 15 minutes gives me time to reset, sweat, and think — or not think at all. When I didn’t have a sauna at home, I would use my neighbors or go to my local gym and work it into my routine. And in lew of a cold plunge I would take a cold shower every morning. So even if you don’t have one, getting creative and working in a cold hot session once or twice a week would be a great start!
It’s amazing for recovery, circulation, and honestly... just feeling like I’ve done something great for myself.
Why It Works — Even When Life Doesn’t Go to Plan
This routine isn’t about controlling the day — it’s about anchoring myself so I can handle the unpredictability with more patience, clarity, and energy.
Especially in summer, when the pace of life shifts and the to-do lists give way to wide-open days, this rhythm helps me show up better — for my kids, my training, my work, and myself.
A Gentle Challenge for You
If you’re heading into a less structured season — whether you’re a parent or just someone who craves a little more grounding — I invite you to build your own version of a morning routine.
Keep it simple. Make it yours. Trust that small, consistent things add up in big ways.
Here’s to summer mornings, messy adventures, and routines that hold us steady through it all.
