Resetting My Summer Morning Routine (and Why I’m Obsessed with My Hatch Alarm Clock)
At first, every teacher wants to sleep in. And honestly? We should. We’ve earned it. But if you’re anything like me, the guilt of the day starts to creep in after a few mornings of well-deserved rest (no judgment – we need it).
After a few days of sleeping in, though, I start to feel like I need a purpose. One of the first things I do to snap into summer mode is figure out how to wake up at a decent time, without a screaming, blaring alarm clock blasting in my ear. We’ve done enough of that already. You know?
I started craving a slower, more intentional summer morning routine when I noticed myself stuck in the “sleep late, stay up late” cycle. It wasn’t doing me any favors. My motivation was tanking, my mental health was low, and the days started to feel kind of… empty. Even without the usual teacher responsibilities.
The School-Year Morning Routine Struggle
My school-year mornings usually felt like I was being catapulted into life before my body was even remotely ready. Living in a place where it’s dark until mid-morning in the winter? (Nevermind the 4 pm sunsets.) It’s brutal. I’d set at least three alarms and snooze them all until they annoyed me enough to crawl out of bed. Then it was a rush to get ready, powered by the adrenaline of almost being late and chugging coffee like my life depended on it.
As summer creeps closer, mornings start to feel a little easier – especially with the sun rising earlier. But here’s the problem: I need my room dark and private to fall asleep at night. Curtains closed. No slivers of streetlight. But that means I’m waking up in total darkness again… and the cycle continues. I knew I needed a better summer morning routine.
Why I Fell in Love with the Hatch Alarm Clock
I first discovered the Hatch Restore while researching sun lamps. (Who doesn’t need a mid-winter pick-me-up, right?) I was looking for something to help me feel alive on those pitch-black mornings, and when I stumbled across the Hatch, it felt like the perfect combo of cozy, functional, and kind of… cool?
What I Love About It
The Hatch does so much more than just wake you up. I use it:
- As a nightlight to get ready for bed
- As a white noise machine while I sleep (it helps block out all the outside sounds)
- As my sunrise alarm, which is the real game changer
It’s super customizable – even with the free version (which I proudly still use years later). I pick the sunrise colors I want to wake up to, set how long before my alarm the light starts brightening, and choose a gentle, but loud enough, wake-up sound. For me, it’s the bright white sunrise and the chimes. (The red sunrise isn’t for me, but if it works for you, more power to ya.)
I control everything from the app, which makes it super easy. I don’t even use half the features, and it’s still one of my favorite purchases.
Why You’ll Actually Use This Thing
This isn’t one of those trendy gadgets you use for a week and forget about. The Hatch totally changed my summer morning routine. I feel more rested, less groggy, and way less grumpy when I wake up. You know that stomach-drop “ugh” feeling when your alarm jolts you awake? Gone. I’ve even been waking up before the chimes. Seriously.
As someone who loves to sleep in a dark room (hello, blackout curtains), I needed something that would bring natural-feeling light into my mornings without me having to give up my cozy cave at night. This was it.
But Is It Affordable?
Honestly? I think it’s 100% worth it. Especially considering I’ve used it every single night and morning for years. You don’t even have to pay for the subscription to get a ton of value out of it. I’ve only ever used the free version and I still swear by it.
If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your morning routine, do yourself a favor and check it out:
👉 Here’s the Hatch Alarm Clock I use and love
My Simple Summer Morning Checklist (And Why It Helps)
Along with changing how I wake up, I also decided to create a simple morning checklist. In the summer, I definitely need a little guide to help me still feel like myself. Without it, I found myself waking up and immediately doom scrolling… which, let’s be real, is a terrible way to start the day.
Making this small shift was huge for me.
Here’s what’s on my checklist:
- ☀️ Wake up with the Hatch
- 🧘🏼♀️ Stretch or breathe for a minute
- 💦 Wash my face + brush teeth
- 🛏 Make my bed
- 🥤 Drink water
- ☕️ Make coffee or breakfast
- 🧠 Do one thing that makes me feel productive (even if it’s tiny)
I printed it out and keep it on my dresser, where I can see it right when I wake up. It’s helped me feel happier, calmer, and way more productive in the morning without the pressure of a full-on routine.
✨ Download my free Morning Checklist Below ✨
Try it out! Take what works for your life and ditch the rest. It’s all about feeling good, not checking every box.
My Morning Vibe (a little sunshine, a little cinnamon)
If I had to sum up my ideal summer morning in three words? Calm, happy, content. That’s the energy I want to carry into the rest of my day.
My favorite part of the morning lately has been my morning walk. I’ve started combining parts of my routine – like drinking my coffee while I walk – and it’s become such a peaceful way to get some sunshine, fresh air, and movement first thing. Sometimes I’ll listen to a wellness or self-help podcast. Other times, I just enjoy the quiet.
My go-to drink? Coffee with Chobani Cinnamon Coffee Cake Creamer (IYKYK – SO good). I’m not a huge breakfast person, but I try to eat something: maybe an egg with toast, a protein pancake with fruit, or a smoothie packed with fruits and veggies. Could it be better? Probably. But I’m doing something… ya know?
Ready to Reset Your Summer Morning Routine, Too?
If you’ve been feeling stuck in the “sleep in, stay up late, repeat” cycle—trust me, I’ve been there. Whether you’re a fellow teacher trying to reclaim your summer mornings or just someone who wants to feel a little more human when the day starts, building a calm, intentional routine makes such a difference.
You don’t have to overhaul your entire life. Just start small:
- Wake up with soft light (the Hatch Restore has changed everything for me)
- Do one thing that feels good
- Give yourself permission to go at your own pace
And if you’re like me and love a checklist, grab mine!
✨ Download my free Morning Checklist ✨
Use it as-is or tweak it to fit your life. Take what you need, leave what you don’t. That’s the magic.
Here’s to brighter mornings ☀️
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