So often now, women are told how they should act in order to be successful. There’s a whole narrative out there — loud, polished, and ever-present — telling us that we need to wake up at 5am, drink lemon water, meditate for exactly 30 minutes, journal about our deepest desires, recite affirmations about how unstoppable and brilliant we are, go for a run, and somehow still be at our desks by 8am, ready to conquer the world.
And sure — those things can be beautiful, nourishing practices. But the truth is: it’s rarely that easy. Especially if you’re a woman running a business while also navigating the very real, very relentless demands of everyday life. Because let’s be honest — women who run businesses are not just running businesses.
We’re also the ones juggling childcare logistics, staying on top of ever-changing school term dates, remembering to book dentist appointments and vaccinations, responding to late-night WhatsApps from clients or teammates, and somehow showing up at sports day with the right colour t-shirt for our child’s team. (Bonus points if you remembered to bring snacks.)
And that’s all before 8am. In fact, before many people have even finished their oat milk flat white, most business-owning mothers and caregivers have already been awake for hours, managing chaos and pouring energy into other people.
It’s no wonder that the traditional, Pinterest-perfect version of the “morning routine for success” doesn’t always fit. Worse still, it can leave us feeling like we’ve failed before the day’s even begun.
And then — there’s the guilt. The creeping, heavy, silent guilt that so many women carry. Guilt for not waking up earlier. Guilt for not doing enough. Guilt for feeling tired. Guilt for wanting more. Guilt for missing the meditation, the run, the breakfast, the meeting, the bedtime story. Guilt for not being everything, to everyone, all the time.
This is not what success should feel like. So what if we gave ourselves permission to strip all that back?
What if we chose to remove the weight of expectation — not just from society, but from ourselves? What if success, especially for women in business, was defined not by routines prescribed by others — but by tuning into what we genuinely need to feel centred, grounded, and well?
Because here’s the thing: there is no one-size-fits-all formula for a successful morning. For some of us, it might look like sipping a cup of tea in the garden in silence, letting the birdsong settle our nervous systems before the house erupts with movement.
For others, it might be staying in bed a little longer to soak in the warmth of a sleepy cuddle from a toddler, choosing connection over productivity for just a few more moments.
- Maybe success is getting dressed in something that makes you feel powerful.
- Maybe it’s listening to a podcast that makes you laugh on the way to drop-off.
- Maybe it’s letting go of the idea that you have to do it all alone.
- We are not robots. We are not here to mimic someone else’s idea of perfection. We are human beings — with cycles, seasons, sensitivities, and so many roles to carry.
We are moving past the hustle culture. We are stepping away from toxic productivity and into a way of being that is deeply personal and aligned with who we are — not who we’re told to be.
This means your morning routine isn’t about ticking off boxes for the sake of it. It’s about creating rituals — however small — that anchor you to yourself before the demands of the day pull you in a hundred different directions.
And in order to create a morning routine that genuinely supports your success — in business, life, and wellbeing — you have to first understand what that success really looks and feels like for you.
- What fills your cup?
- What brings you clarity, energy, or ease?
- What’s realistic, sustainable, and nourishing — not just aspirational?
Because success isn’t always loud. It isn’t always productive. And it certainly isn’t always aesthetic. Sometimes, success is quiet. It’s found in the moments we honour our own needs before the world starts calling. It’s time to reclaim those moments. It’s time to redefine success on your terms. And it’s time to create a morning that works for you — not against you.
