Waking up at 4 AM isn't just worth a penny—it's a bonus!

My routine that changed my hectic mornings

3:55 Conflict ~ A morning that begins in silence

4:00 AM. The house is still quiet, and at this time of year, it's pitch black outside. The pulse of my iPhone's vibration gently wakes me. The alarm shows 3:55. I savor the lingering warmth of my cozy futon for about five minutes before gently slipping out. For a moment, I want to return to that warmth, but if I push past that and slip out, a wonderful day awaits.

This quiet time, while my family is still asleep, is the beginning of my precious 'me time'.

To have a better day, I cherish my morning time.
With that feeling, I continue to make improvements today to carry out my ideal routine.

4:00 Waking up ~ Preparing to start the day comfortably

First, I head to the bathroom.
And while I'm at it, I quickly finish cleaning the bathroom too.
I lather up my favorite milk soap to wash my face, brush my teeth, and carefully apply my favorite toner to my skin. As I brush my hair and tie it back up, my sleepy face gradually comes to life. I also quickly wipe down the vanity as part of my 'while-I'm-at-it' cleaning. I don't forget to finish cleaning the bathroom and the dressing area as well.

Ever since I made 'little while-I'm-at-it cleanups' part of my morning routine, I feel like the house is always tidy.

As I put away the dishes from the dishwasher I ran last night, I feel a pleasant rhythm in my hands moving quietly.

Feeling the cool morning air, I use a floor wiper to quickly pick up any dust that settled while I was sleeping. It's also a habit of mine to wipe the sliding door tracks while I'm at it.

I open the windows for five minutes to ventilate. After refreshing the morning air, I layer on more toner. Since it's dry, I carefully apply emulsion and cream for skincare. I drink warm white water to encourage waking up from within.

4:30 Stretching & Exercise ~ Time to align mind and body

At 4:30, it's time for the heart and body care that I value. I slowly loosen up my body with stretches and strengthen my core with a one-minute plank. After that, I do four minutes of muscle training that works the whole body in a short time. Finally, I close my eyes and meditate for one minute while taking deep breaths. This becomes my vitality for the day.

The makeup and hair styling that follow can easily become sloppy if I rush. Even on my days off, keeping this time intact leads to a sense of composure throughout the day.

'Let's cherish this very moment.'
Thinking that, the feeling of my mind and body waking up is pleasant. Once my hair is styled, my body and mind feel sharp, and I finally feel like the day has truly begun.

5:00 Me time ~ Creating space for the heart

I decided to wake up at 4 AM to spend this time. If I can't wake up at 4, this time gets cut—it's my bonus time. It's a precious time to think about 'how I want to be' instead of being swept away by the busyness of daily life.

During this time, I always open my planner to check the day's schedule and write 'thank you' in my diary. Even if it's just one line, putting feelings of gratitude into words warms my heart from the morning.

After that, I read my favorite books or write in my notebook or planner to organize my thoughts. This time has become an irreplaceable 'recharging time' for me.

6:00 Cooking ~ The family's morning begins

From 6 o'clock, the lively family time finally begins. Switching gears, I start making lunch boxes and preparing breakfast while listening to my favorite music or Voicy. If I can quickly finish the dinner prep during this time, that's a job well done! It's a kind choice for my evening self.

When it hits 6:20, I wake the kids up energetically. While I encourage them to use the bathroom and take care of the hamster, it's my husband's daily routine to hang up the laundry I finished washing.

This time spent eating breakfast together as a family ends in an instant, but somehow, it's the happiest part of the day. Hectic temperature checks, brushing teeth, braiding the sisters' hair, and getting dressed. Once the kids are ready, it's finally time to head out.

7:35 Leaving the house ~ The start of the day!

I do a final check to make sure nothing is forgotten, and we all leave the house together. After dropping off my second daughter at nursery school, I head to work. Thanks to this routine, I'm able to start the day with room in both my heart and my schedule.


Instead of being chased by a hectic morning, I spend it with the feeling that I am leading the morning. Just having this time makes a huge difference in the satisfaction of the day.


If you had just a little more time for yourself, what would you want to do?

I hope my routine serves as a reference for you.

＼ More ／
For you who want to spend your own time comfortably

For those who want to deepen their understanding of this 'bonus time' concept, I have also prepared an article that specifically summarizes morning habits and ways to get organized ↓

'How do you keep it up?' 'What are the tips for making it a habit?' etc.,I have carefully summarized the points I am often asked about in six steps.


＼ Even busy moms can do it ／
Make mornings easier! Tips for making lunch boxes

For those who want to free themselves from the 'morning rush'.
I've packed in all the real-life lunch-making tricks I've been using for 12 years, from time-saving and color coordination to how to pack them.

▶︎ Introduction to the free magazine

Resetting your mind every month
"Vision Sheet and Reflection"

A "reset time" once a month.
On the 1st of every month, I post a reflection on the previous month and goals for the current one. Some people read it every month as a habit to confirm their own core values.


▶︎ Reading records and notes for the heart

I loosely jot down books I want to read when I feel like "I want time to face myself," and words that have stayed with me. For when you want to gently unwind your heart with the power of books.

I would be happy if this creates even a little bit of peace of mind in your morning.
I will continue to write about my daily realizations.

May you find your own "comfortable morning time"✧︎*.