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4 Women Who Lead on Their Most Empowering Morning Routines

Doing your mornings right is more than just a cup of coffee. It’s about choosing to have a certain type of day: an amazing, strong, liberating day. To celebrate mighty women leaders, blazing activists and courageous movers and shakers, I decided to ask 4 women I admire how they kick off their mornings. Because those morning lead to game-changing days, and those game-changing days lead to major empowerment for women all over. So let’s hear from them, shall we?

1. Tina Brown

CEO and founder Women in the World/Tina Brown Live Media

What makes me feel most empowered as I kick off my day is: A double espresso!  

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Women in the World (@womenintheworld) on

 

My morning routine is: My husband and I, both lifelong journalists, have a ritual of eating breakfast together and consuming as much news as possible along with our toast and fruit. We pass sections of the New York Times and The Washington Post back and forth. Being Brits, we read the Financial Times and The Guardian. We check out Axios and Drudge Report. It’s my favorite part of the day and lets me start my day fully fueled.

2. Stephanie Kaplan Lewis

Co-founder, CEO & Editor-in-Chief of Her Campus

What makes me feel most empowered as I kick off my day is: Looking at my calendar for the day and mapping out what I need to do when, so that I can run the day rather than the day running me. 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Stephanie Kaplan Lewis (@stephkaplewis) on

 

My morning routine is: Getting our two dogs out and fed, then getting my baby changed and fed, then getting myself changed and (maybe) fed! If I’m working from home I’ll make tea, if I’m working in the office I’ll grab a soy or chai latte on the way if I have time.

3. Annie Wang

Co-founder, Chief Product Officer, Creative Director of Her Campus

What makes me feel most empowered as I kick off my day is: My most empowering morning routine is a simple one: to put things back where they belong as I’m getting ready in the bathroom, making breakfast, getting dressed, etc.  

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Annie Wang (@anniewang) on

 

My morning routine is: Starting my day with a little bit of discipline and organization helps me prepare for a day of productivity, and clears my mind to be focused on what should really be taking up my brainpower during the day!

4. Windsor Hanger Western

 Co-Founder, Publisher, & President of Her Campus

What makes me feel most empowered as I kick off my day is: Kicking off my day is starting with gratitude. Every morning before I turn on my computer or check my inbox, I make a list of the top 5 things that I’m grateful for. 

 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Windsor Hanger Western (@windsorwestern) on

 

My morning routine is: I make a list of my top priority “must-dos” for the day. Doing these things helps me start my day more centered and with more perspective and gets my day off on the right foot!

Rachel is the Senior Editor at Her Campus. She graduated from Elon University in 2015 where she wrote for Her Campus's Elon chapter as well as the national LGBTQ+ section, and has since held editorial positions at Hello Giggles and Brit + Co along with running social media for several publishers. Her work has been published in Teen Vogue, Glamour, StyleCaster, and SELF, and she can be found in North Carolina smearing face masks on in the name of content. You can find her on Twitter and Instagram @RachelCharleneL.