Why Doing Nothing is the Secret to My Perfect Morning Routine

Posted on March 12, 2025 by Angela Gilltrap, One of Thousands of Business Coaches on Noomii.

Let me be clear: I am not a morning person.

I didn’t get the memo that mornings were supposed to be some kind of magical, Instagrammable routine where you do yoga on a beach, meditate on a mountain, and then hustle your way to millionaire status before 8 a.m. In fact, if you told me that I had to be “productive” the moment my eyes open, I might just cry (or at least roll over and go back to sleep).

But after years of battling my inner snooze-button-loving self, I discovered something truly remarkable. The greatest gift life has to offer is waking up every day as if it’s Sunday morning—relaxed. Yes, you heard me. Relaxed. No “rise and grind” mentality, no lunges in my pajamas, and absolutely no self-help mantras echoing in my brain.

So here it is, my friends: The perfect morning routine.

The Day Begins… Sort Of
My day starts at 6:30 a.m., and before you say anything, I know that sounds early for someone who claims not to be a morning person. But here’s the trick—I get up earlier so I can do absolutely nothing. That’s right. Nada. Zilch. Zero. I roll out of bed and, like a slow-moving sloth in a satin robe, I make my way to my happy place: the velvet recliner.

Now, here’s the real magic: waiting for me on the side table is a steaming cup of bulletproof coffee, courtesy of my amazing husband. (Honestly, I think this is why I married him.) Do I spring into action, conquer the world, and write a bestselling novel right then and there? Nope. I sit. I sit like a cat basking in the sun.

I Am the Queen of Doing Nothing
In these precious morning moments, I don’t meditate, journal, check the news, or engage in any form of multitasking. I just sit. Me, my coffee, and the blanket draped over my lap. Am I tempted to grab a notebook and write the next great American novel? Sure. But I don’t.

I sit there in caffeinated bliss, allowing the luxury of doing absolutely nothing to soak in. And let me tell you, when you finish an entire coffee without having to reheat it? That’s success, folks.

Then, just as I’m done luxuriating in my nothingness, my five-year-old son wakes up, all sleepy-eyed and adorable. We hug. We hug until I’m done. Not a quick, ‘Okay-let’s-get-on-with-it’ hug. This is a full-on mom-and-kid hug that goes on for as long as my morning zen mode requires.

And that’s it. That’s my perfect morning routine. Simple, undramatic, and gloriously devoid of multitasking, mindfulness exercises, or any hint of productivity.

Let’s Talk About Competitive Mornings
Here’s the thing: mornings have become competitive, haven’t they? We’re bombarded with advice—on Instagram, in wellness blogs, from your neighbor who probably hasn’t blinked since their 5 a.m. pilates session. We’re told we have to squeeze in an hour of exercise, do gratitude journaling, eat something organic with chia seeds, and be spiritually enlightened before the clock strikes seven.

So, here’s my advice: ask yourself, what is your perfect morning?

If working out first thing makes you feel like Wonder Woman, do it. If journaling brings you peace and clarity, then journal away. But if sitting in a comfy chair with a blanket and doing absolutely nothing for 30 minutes feels like heaven, guess what? That’s perfectly okay too.

At the end of the day—or morning—we’re all different people with different rhythms. And if your rhythm involves a bit of sitting and sipping, I’m here to tell you: you’re doing great.