Lately, my typical morning routine starts with an alarm set 15 minutes before I have to start whatever I’m doing that day, giving me just enough time to enjoy one round of Snooze (i.e. eight extra minutes of bliss) and brush my teeth before I have to log on to class and be a functional human being. The truth is, every time I go through this morning motion, I am anything but functional. My brain is in a fog; I still have remnants of sleep on me, and most times I would rather be doing anything else than sitting in front of my computer forcing my brain cells into action. I don’t want to finish breakfast during my classes or quickly wash my face in between meetings, and operating out of my bedroom does not help. Not only is my brain fog already overwhelming, to my left is my unmade bed drawing me right back in.
This week I wondered: What would happen to my productivity and focus if I made the effort to actually get ready and dressed before I start my day?
An experiment was born. This week I revolutionized my morning routine so you wouldn’t have to. Here’s what happened to my productivity.
Day One
I started off strong. I wore a new vintage top that, since purchasing, had felt like it was staring at me every time I opened my closet. I got this blouse from one of my favourite online vintage fashion vendors, Very Cherry Vintage. It’s a frosty white linen top with an organza vest and a squiggly embroidered design. I paired that with some light-wash Levi’s jeans and a pair of platform pink lemonade and sky blue converse.
Before I put the outfit on, my morning routine had already been altered. Instead of my usual 10:07 AM wake-up, I found myself looking at the 8:48 AM sky outside my window. Sluggishly––as habits don’t change instantly––I managed to squeeze in an online morning yoga class, made breakfast and threw my outfit on. I was sitting at my computer ready for my 10:00 AM start time.
I felt happier and more like myself having put on clothing that reflected who I felt like that day. Beyond the clothing, the fact that I actually got up to move my body before sitting in a chair for however many hours shook off any leftover sleepiness. When you sleep where you work and work where you sleep, it forces someone into a constant state of halfness. Not disrupting and separating those contrasting room functions means that you are continually reminded of one dimension while you are operating in the other, preventing any satisfactory rest or focus.
Day Two
My first day momentum had come to an unfortunate crash. I woke up late to a group meeting, which I ultimately participated in with pajamas on. Then, I scrambled to refresh with an accelerated version of my skincare routine. I jumped back into bed where I inevitably listened to class as I dissolved in and out of my already incomplete sleep. A workout and shower was pushed to the afternoon and I felt uninspired in an athleisure combo of black leggings, a plain white tank top and a grey cardigan. The one consistency from the day before was that the outfit definitely reflected how I felt that day. Grey. Dull. Foggy. Rushed.
Did I fall back into fogginess because my outfit wasn’t particularly uplifting? Did the weight of this stage in the semester simply catch up to me? Whatever it was, this was a day where I had to permit myself to be human and I honestly had trouble doing that. The pressure was high. The day started with what felt like an already running-out clock, and as I ran to catch up with time, prioritizing myself seemed to fall behind.
Day Three
The thing about day three’s morning was that I made an easily portable breakfast, brewed some coffee and went on a walk outside before starting my day. I always forget the power of crisp air and its ability to jolt you into a bright consciousness.
Coming off of a low from the day before, the outfit choice was simple. I put on comfortable clothing that still made me feel cute; straight leg black pants, a flaming red hoodie and black and red crocs. This is the outfit I would be drawn in if I was a cartoon character. Red to me means boldness, power and confidence. Again, this wasn’t the most gorgeous or inspiring outfit, but I’ve come to realize that the actual composition of the outfit doesn’t matter as long as it matches how you are feeling and serves your exact needs for that day. By valuing my own needs and emotions, I felt clearer as I worked through my school and internship simultaneously. I took my time to get my job tasks done and only completed what needed to be done for school. Any assignments that could be completed in the following week were allocated to a future time to allow for some extra breathing room.
Day Four
The last day was the ultimate test. I packed up and took my work to my grandmother’s house where I concentrated in a quiet environment. We had coffee together and laughed about nothing in particular. When I got ready in the morning, I was actually getting ready to go out of my house. Revolutionary.
I also chose comfort and colour on this day. I went with black carpenter pants with yellow detailing, my favourite Nike t-shirt with rainbow text on the back and a multicoloured sweater that I snagged from Winners. All paired with my go-to white and emerald platform Reeboks. I took my time in the morning even though I didn’t have any, and made my way to my destination. The day felt golden with all the fall leaves, which reminded me of the sheer importance of leaving your home in order to want to come back to it.
This was another day where I felt like my eyes were wide open as I held myself stationary in a constant state of focus. The focus did not feel completely natural, but I had no choice with the pile of work tasks and school assignments anchoring me down. However, the outfit was functional and comfortable. Instead of sitting, I placed my work computer on one table and my personal computer on another table. I was on my feet as I jumped between internship and school responsibilities. I was exhausted but I was in the zone. Physically removing myself from my usual space, jump started my brain into conscious autopilot.
What You Had to Say
I opened this conversation up to my peers at school and beyond through a quick survey, asking respondents about their morning routine, the correlation between getting ready and dressed in the morning, and patterns of productivity.
Here’s what you said.
Generally, students agreed that clothing is an integral form of expression, but with the ongoing pace of online school, most take to comfortable clothing and workout gear to get through the day. Despite the type of clothing students put on, 93% of respondents reported that the simple act of changing their clothes in the morning boosts productivity. This further proves that the type of clothing does not matter, but the action of distinguishing your sleeping life from your working life increases focus.
Moving beyond the clothing again, the majority of respondents expressed that making the effort to move your body in the morning positively impacts productivity as well. Commonly, the effects of implementing a workout, a walk, spending time standing or even taking breaks outside, are increased productivity, a cleared mind, abolished restlessness and a refreshed body.
This experiment started as an investigation into clothing’s impact on productivity, but what has been revealed is that getting dressed in the morning is only part of the story. Implementing a regular routine for moving your body, eating proper meals and giving yourself permission to feel emotions without shame or pressure, leads to a clearer, more productive mind. We are human! Let’s start acting like it.