Emily, our BIN editor, finds out what happens when that alarm first goes off

We probably don’t need to tell you at this point how we feel about new beginnings, and what better fresh start is there than a brand new day? Whether your morning starts with an early alarm, a toddler jumping into bed with you, or slowly waking up on your own time (the dream!), we like to think of it as a chance to really set a tone. Here’s how Brooke starts hers.

First thing you do upon opening your eyes?

“Look for my alarm, then hit snooze! I always set my alarm, even if I don’t have to wake up for something specific in the morning. I’ll never sleep that late, but I always set it. And I always, always give myself one snooze cycle, because I’m just not the kind of person who can bounce out of bed. I need to slowly stretch and think about what I’m going to do for the day. I rely on my snooze time! It’s 10 minutes, and those are 10 minutes of mine.”

A snooze advocate! We love to see it.

“I just don’t want to feel jarred out of bed. And I always try to make the bed...even if my husband is still in it, I’ll make my side!"
 

Okay, what next?

“Wash up, teeth, face, whatever. And I always change into something that’s not my pajamas. And yes, I do sleep in PJs.There’s something psychologically in that for me. I have to kind of present my day and make sure everything is at least...not in disarray. Then I can begin with my very strong PG Tips tea.”

How’s the sleep these days?

“Actually, I’m the worst sleeper. I could go to bed at 10 or 1 and I’ll still wake up at 3 or 4 in the morning. I don’t know if it’s the stresses of life or what, but it’s a real problem. I used to be able to sleep anywhere and be energized after a short period, but now I’m just kinda tired all the time. If I could, I’d be late to bed and early to rise. I just want the most of every day. I love being up early before everyone.”
 

What’s the very first thing you…

Drink?

“PG Tips tea, not sweetened, just a little half and half.”

Eat?

“I’ve been drinking these protein shakes that set me right. If I eat too much in the mornings, I’m famished by lunchtime—you know, if I have eggs and toast and the whole thing, my body just goes, I want more, I want more!”

Listen to?

“Well, my husband fills the house with jazz in the morning—it can be calming sometimes, and then there’s songs that make zero sense and lots of noise and drive me crazy. I yell at him to change it. If I’m alone, I usually put on the news—so I can start the day a little informed, and the fun music goes on after I’m confident the world isn’t falling apart. Like Harry Styles!”

Read?

“I’m currently reading Amor Towles’ Lincoln Highway. I always have to have a couple novels going at one time and then maybe an autobiography that has a really good audiobook. I like to have them all going at the same time. Turns out I’m not good at being quiet.”

Let’s say you’re anxious about something. How do you start your day then?

“That’s when I get up really early in the morning, and I don’t go back to sleep—I just get up. I do all my usual morning things, but then I also do something that makes me feel that I have control. Might be like doing a couple loads of laundry, or organizing something, or finishing something that I‘ve been putting off: something I can control and complete. I might not solve the thing I feel anxious about, but I’ve given myself the message that I’m capable, I can complete something, I’m not a total mess.”

Any morning mantras? That whole in front of the mirror thing?

“‘You got here for a reason, and you’re good enough.’ And I don’t mean good enough insofar as being marginal, but as opposed to the message you get in your brain about being NOT good enough. Being good enough—it’s not something we’re really told. We’re told to be more like this, to do that, to finish that, to fight for this. Being good enough doesn’t mean being complacent or inactive or waiting. But you should go into everything thinking you’ve got what it takes to do whatever it is you’re trying to do. And if it doesn’t turn out the way you want...then you can always begin again!”

Thanks, Brooke!