Ditch the "Expert's" Morning Routine: Do This Instead

👋 Are you tired of feeling like a failure every morning because you can't stick to that "perfect" routine you found online? Trust me, I've been there. In this video, I'm spilling the tea on why your ADHD morning routine might be setting you up for disaster - and no, it's not because you're lazy or lack willpower!
As an ADHD coach, I've seen countless clients beat themselves up over this. But here's the kicker: that one-size-fits-all morning routine? It's probably all wrong for your ADHD brain. 🧠
In this video, we'll dive into:
✅ Why copying celebrity routines is a recipe for frustration
✅ The surprising truth about what makes an ADHD-friendly morning routine
✅ How to design a routine that actually works for YOU
✅ The evening habit that's sabotaging your mornings (bet you didn't see this coming!)
Plus, I'll share my top tips for creating an ADHD morning routine that sticks - without the overwhelm or guilt.
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👋 C O M E S A Y H I !
⟡ Identify your strengths, needs and values
⟡ Website: itsadhdfriendl...
⟡ Instagram: / carenmagill
♡ R E S O U R C E S
DISTRACTION TO ACTION SELF-PACED ADHD COACHING PROGRAM : bit.ly/3UI02w0
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ADHD-Friendly Approved Amazon Shop
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♡ CONTACT:
For potential business inquiries and partnerships: [e-mail]
Remember, your perfect morning routine starts with understanding your unique ADHD brain. So grab your coffee (or whatever gets you going), and let's bust some morning routine myths together!
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell so you never miss an ADHD life hack. And hey, drop a comment below with your biggest morning routine struggle - I'd love to hear from you!
#ADHDmorningroutine #ADHDtips #morningroutine #ADHDlife
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3.5 Sonnet

[@corylcreates]

Starting my bedtime routine before getting tired or sleepy is something I've fallen into naturally the last week or two as I've tried to fix some stress-related insomnia. It really helps! It feels so simple but also contradictory to get ready for bed when you're not physically or mentally ready for *SLEEP* but they're two different things.

[@Rosaedora]

Honestly, the cleaning routine youtubers helped me so much more than atomic habits or the crazy 5am morning routine guy. I found that doing cleaning first thing in the morning before i go to work was lifechanging! Throw on 1 load of laundry, and unload the dishwasher before coffee. Takes 15 minutes total. Then before bed fold laundry, load dishwasher. It has literally solved all the clutter and mess problems for me. Then meds for work.

[@CarenMagill]

I love that!

[@jehannehardwick6311]

Yes! My morning goes better if the kitchen bench is clean to start with. Choosing clothes the night before and packing lunch means that I'm ready and that there are two fewer decisions to make. And like you, I do a load of laundry and unload the dishwasher. It just makes life less messy. I still haven't figured out when to exercise, though. 😊

[@stephanietew1778]

I have cut the dishwasher out of my life completely. Since my diagnoses I have changed the way I talk to myself and adopted a now or never approach, so I don’t put the dish down. I wash it when I’m done. I chant don’t put it down put it away all freakin day it seems like lol. BUT this only works for me bc my kids are grown. If I still had littles in the house I would def still use the dishwasher. And have the terrible relationship with it😂. Also it’s only been a month. We’ll see how long this last

[@Rosaedora]

@@stephanietew1778 Amazing! I have 7 people in my house, so we have a lot of dishes and pans. I hear the now or never approach, I do this for appointments, emails and putting away random items. it's such a better way of doing things.

[@21972012145525]

😅😂 that's better than nothing. Congratulations! ​@@stephanietew1778

[@BevThorogood]

This is spot on Caren. I have tried so many so called ‘perfect’ morning routines, including Hal Elrod’s Miracle Morning and felt so bad about myself because I couldn’t stick to them. But we’re all so different of course it’s not a personal failing. Totally agree that the best mornings start the night before. I’m dreadful at nighttime routines and massively struggle with revenge sleep procrastination. I like the idea of starting to prep earlier in the evening. ❤

[@halcyondays8945]

The most important part of my morning routine is taking a full hour of me time to quietly drink my coffee and relax before getting everyone up and starting our day. It starts me off on the right foot.

[@daniellem905]

My morning routine is a means to an end. Get out the door clean, well presented, and with a lunch and whatever else I need to tackle my day. Nothing else is remotely possible.

[@21972012145525]

I skip the lunch

[@zakerdoodle]

My biggest problem with routines is my brain sees them as more "work", when I've spent all day doing work and being responsible and then I come home and there's just more "work" to be done and I can feel my brain switching off... it's my biggest struggle with keeping up with routines. 😅

[@21972012145525]

Yes. This is so true! I hate the feeling of being a slave to a routine. That goes with planning and journaling as well.

[@melissam.6652]

I relate to this so much

[@shellyleeobinson]

Omg SAME!!!

[@annetteswantek-tl7gy]

Caren, After listening to you I am starting to love myself and accept me more. Finding out I have ADHD at 59 was shocking. But I understand why I do some things because that is how my brain works. I’m not lazy after all. Thank you

[@CarenMagill]

aw, thank you so much for sharing that!! it means the world and I'm so glad you're improving your relationship with yourself. That's what it's all about.

[@evgeniya_elle]

Finally someone said that! Huberman's routine might be perfect for a single male self-employed person but many of us will fail trying to copy it.

[@cordelianorris6337]

Also he left out the part of his routine in which he has 6 girlfriends AT THE SAME TIME 😂 He's a dog.

[@Sacheess]

Why is it not perfect for a single female self-employed person?

[@21972012145525]

​@@Sacheesshonestly because I'm not about to step outside to get sunlight until Ive brushed my teeth washed my face/showered, combed my hair into a ponytail and change out of my pjs. If you're a guy, you basically can go outside in your pjs, don't need to comb your hair. Basically splash some water on your face and brush your teeth and you can be out of the door to catch your sunlight 😅

[@mhd4020]

Nice vid !!! When I understood routine wasn't for me (for now), I started preparing things/tools for days ahead, with a "in case of" spirit and it helped me a lot ! Took that from depression episodes I had before. Always having food in the kitchen, something simple I can eat everywhere if I'm late or something more complex if I woke up hyper early and fresh. I don't prep too much specific things (because I can change my mind the next morning and dont want a specific food). Trying to do chores because I don't want to wake up angry at everything the next morning (not washing my face because I'm angry the bathroom is a mess, and beating me up, etc). Prep my clothes the day before because sometimes I can't make decisions on morning. Trying to be a good friend to me and have backup things I can rely on when I feel depressed.

[@jenniferhizzy6591]

Everyone with ADHD knows that a new notebook will help change that.

[@JadeDeeOfficial]

😂

[@suiteharmonysalon7766]

😂😂

[@ArmanzaSuperNova]

Called out... 😂

[@cassielee1114]

One thing that blew my mind was realising I have far more responsibilities as a mum than any of these single people with epic routines, no wonder I can’t do it. I think I forget who I actually am when I watch KZbin sometimes

[@husnatariq6314]

Exactly! That’s something that has been putting me down too lately…just being hard in myself for not being more well organised with my time and routines! The problem is they are not in my shoes! I possibly can’t be comparing my productivity to someone who has a very different life, responsibilities and priorities than mine!

[@Mattjki]

You're the only you I know.

[@bijajourney]

I couldn’t agree more!! I have spent years chasing the holy grail of the perfect, disciplined, optimal morning routine. Only to fail again and again and feel awful. That there is something wrong with me. Until I realised, hang on, I’m the expert in my life. And I get to choose how my morning unfolds based on how I feel when I wake up, how well I slept, what I have going on, what the weather is like and so on. So my approach now is to be more aware of how I feel when I wake up and what I need. So I am kinder and more flexible and more FUN! Great insight! Thank you ❤

[@brianh1969]

I identified a spot in my evening that its difficult for me to be productive. Reflection / meditation/ talking through it I realized this has traditionally been family time /me time. Now, allowing this time for me has actually "automated" more productive time around it. Incorporating some of this earlier bedtime prep will also help. Build into the "me time /reat time" and this way once I finish my project or I'm tired I can just drip into bed wuthout feeling like I have 20 things to do before I goto bed.

[@DorotaCymkiewicz]

Thank you for bringing that up; my nighttime routine is the most important, as it helps my morning routine go smoothly :)

[@sweetderpg]

here I am not doing my morning routine and instead watching youtube... and somehow it said this was only out for 10 seconds when I clicked! lol That said, I DO feel better when I use the Routinery app, even though I normally do things out of order. Just having a lot of it listed and with an automatic (and naggy) timer SUPER helps! Heck... half the time I don't even play the evening routine - but I do at least half of the things on my list.

[@21972012145525]

Is it free?

[@sweetderpg]

@@21972012145525 i think there's a free trial, but it costs $3/month.

[@barbaritaperales]

Thanks for this! My current issue is that I have been traveling a lot. And my days look different depending on where I am and with whom.

[@joshde8871]

OMG! why did i never think of doing my night routine earlier/after dinner? LOVE IT!

[@tonyasargent57]

Random realization. Hearing you talk and watching your videos makes me want to write ✍️. Which is something I am passionate about. I think you have a organized vibe about you. So thank you 😊

[@CarenMagill]

Good!!!!!

[@rhododendro7]

I am obsessed with new routines for 3 years. But it did always fail indeed xD thank you for this video.

[@noelleista]

Showering in the evening is the #1 best thing I can do for myself...actually doing it is the hard part I'm still trying to exercise my self-discipline muscle, but having an accountability partner, reminding myself that this is what future me wants, giving myself a 3 sec countdown, and doing it before I get tired are all strategies that (at one point) have helped

[@noelleista]

3:05 Yup...that was me! I had an elaborate daily routine planned down to the minute and was so disappointed when I couldn't stick to it. My therapist explained it's completely unrealistic to change everything all at once, to go from no structure to a military-like routine. Then, I had to read Benjamin Franklin's 13 Virtues for a class and learned that he adopted one virtue at a time, waiting until he mastered each one before adding another to his daily routine. The universe wasn't feeling very subtle that week.

[@Maggietheebaddie1948]

I needed this video. I’m gone meditate and see what’s important and what’s not and days when I have low energy because I’m so overweight. I feel people promote routines and productivity and makes some of us feel like robots doing stuff but not getting mental benefits like feeling good and happy. I gone pick two to 3 things and different routines for different moods and energy in my notes section in my phone. And some days feel fine to have a free day and no routine days where I rest and off phone and reading. I fight sleep like toddler lol 😂 I’m getting old fashioned timer to time 1 hour before bed so no technology. Gonna save money and get coaching from you one day ❤❤❤❤

[@BetterNeurodivergentTravel]

I tried to create a “good” morning routine and it never sticks. I think i achieved morning exercise for about 10 days streak once. Still don’t know what time to day to do exercise… I know I need it!

[@Mattjki]

5:36 AM. J/k. It's whenever Andrew Huberman tells you to, or when you feel like it.

[@Dave-kw7jq]

I have an alcohol "problem" but what I have found is flipping my day on its head.. I can't get drunk as I have to have green tea in the morning and yogurt and berries. I Get woken up by a series of bird calls blackbird then magpies then gulls then Doves.. at that point a n old dear in the home behind me starts coughing her guts out so that's my alarm at 6am I then do deep breathing for twenty minutes before getting up for my green tea.. It wont work for many but it works for me .. usually.. do I relapse and chuck whisky down yes but I'm more aware but I also have "things" I really need to do in the morning now mainly as I have other things to do in the evening.. Fill your day people and the gremlins can't get in

[@Trissa.33]

Thank you Dave, great advice.

[@annetteswantek-tl7gy]

You give me encouragement.

[@annetteswantek-tl7gy]

You give me encouragement.

[@21972012145525]

I can't tell if you're serious or joking/sarcastic 😅

[@MargAbbottYou]

Fab! Incl beating that hurdle of going to bed earlier! Thank you ❤

[@catherinene1111]

Wow ! You just hit the spot for me! I'm able to understand you and because of that concentrate on what you're saying, and it makes easy for me to implement your suggestions in life! I'm Very thankful to you !

[@aliciap477]

I just found your channel and love it! Thank you 🙏

[@suziejewell3]

I love the idea of getting ready for bed after dinner! ❤ thank you

[@Mindafter60beyond-wp2lx]

Absolutely brilliant Caren!❤

[@noelleista]

Showering in the evening is the #1 best thing I can do for myself...actually _doing_ it is the hard part

[@Chhesterification]

Andrew Huberman lost me when he released a two and a half (approx.) hour podcast about ADHD. It's impossible for anyone with ADHD to listen to it. Then I learned about his red pill behavior and it was over.

[@h.t.8812]

I gave up on having a morning routine a long time ago, I have zero motivation to do anything but scroll for at least a couple hours after I wake up, if anyone has ideas that work for them to share, that'd be appreciated 😵‍💫 I think I have a really hard time with self awareness, I legit don't know what works for me

[@rm709]

5,4,3,2,1. Just say it out loud. Then do it. Discipline is a muscle of the mind. It can be trained like any other in our body. Check out Mel Robbins. Best of luck

[@CarenMagill]

Put your phone in another room before you go to bed.

[@dianaholbrook]

Are you getting enough sleep? That could be part of it. I can relate though 👍🏻

[@saifblade]

Turn off apps that enable doomscrolling until after lunch time. If you have an iphone enable double tap to make your screen black and white before bed.

[@scottseward3756]

I’m not a fan of giving advice, but the following experiment I did ACTUALLY helped me and stuck as a regular practice in my ADHD world. I started playing with my wake up time into places that at first seemed uncomfortable. After about a two week period of experimenting I learned that I can hit the ground running if I get up at either 5:30 AM (seems evil, right?) or 7:30 AM. Both of these times I can grab a cup,of coffee and enthusiastically start doing something other than doom scrolling. Anywhere else in that window, I’m a dud for at let an hour. also, I “Power Nap” daily which gives me a whole second restart opportunity if I blow the morning. Lesson learned was to be counter-intuitive, experiment with what worked FOR ME (supporting Caren’s video theme) and keep it SIMPLE.

[@dianaholbrook]

Awesome topic! Thanks 😊

[@DShaw1776]

Yuh I know the problem is me 🤦🏼‍♀️ but I’m still stuck 😢… I’m listening 👂 ❤

[@21972012145525]

Yes, I agree. It doesn't help to be dismissive of their routines. I find them demonstrative and examples to be adapted

[@noelleista]

Thank you. I can't believe I just got all this advice for free :')

[@allieclairemiel4425]

I totally need to hit the hay earlier to feel rested when my alarm sounds 😮

[@WildpixFPV]

Haha, I'm stuck in self awareness and practising self acceptance since I got diagnosed 4 months ago. Days are 2 easy 4 me..

[@rachvdlin]

Thank you!!!

[@FeelGoodScrubsAU]

oh yes soooo relate

[@Mattjki]

1 Self Awareness 2 One step at a time 3 Start night routine early to sleep early

[@noelleista]

brush thine teeth?! how dare you ask such a laborious thing of me!

[@21972012145525]

I disagree. I think they even say this. They're showing thr optimal, science backed routine. It is supposed to be adapted and modified to your current ways. I watched a fun KZbinr do a video on this who experimented on what worked for her in the routine and what didnt. Lost in admiration. Shes really good

[@21972012145525]

However the one change rule is good. However the downside is often it can takes weeks/months to find the change that actually works. Time is limiting factor

[@mmantillaa72]

👍

[@jenniferhizzy6591]

But I want to change the world.

[@YBoraOylu]

crowd of words. nothing else

[@mrrolandlawrence]

top tip to sleep well. do a 30-60km ride in the morning. i do mine at 5am. by 9pm im shattered. getting to sleep takes less than 2 minutes. oh yeh and lay off the booze.