When Getting Ready Takes Longer Than It Should
How long does it take you to get ready in the morning? Ten minutes? Twenty? An hour? You probably already know it, but your bad habits, like hitting snooze constantly and scrolling through social media to catch up on what you missed while sleeping, all come back to bite you. Add on the fact that it likely takes you at least 15 minutes (probably more) to put on your skincare, do your makeup, and fix your hair, and you've got a pretty chaotic a.m. on your plate. So, how can you strip it down to the basics so you're not rushing out the door with only minutes to spare? Here are 10 ways your hectic routine is bogging you down, and 10 smart tips to speed it all up.
1. You Keep Hitting Snooze
Sure, those extra nine minutes feel like a gift in the moment, but it usually leaves you groggier than if you'd just gotten up. Plus, you end up cutting into time you needed for getting dressed or eating breakfast, all for a nap that doesn't even feel restful. You may also feel more rushed because your morning starts with repeated interruptions instead of a clear wake-up time. Setting one realistic alarm often works better than planning to ignore several earlier ones.
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2. You Choose Your Outfit at the Last Minute
Standing in front of your closet at 7 a.m. with no plan is a guaranteed way to lose 10 minutes you don't have. Decision fatigue hits harder in the morning than most people realize, especially when you're also thinking about your hair, makeup, and what you'll eat. The process gets even slower when you discover that something needs ironing or extra cleaning. Leaving the decision until you’re already short on time also makes it more likely that you’ll settle for an outfit you don’t actually love.
3. Not Setting Out Everything in Advance
Finding your outfit is only half the battle if you haven't also thought about jewelry, makeup, bags, and shoes ahead of time. Searching for a matching pair of earrings or the right mascara while you're already dressed can eat up more time than you'd expect. This last-minute scramble often leaves you settling for whatever's easiest to find rather than what you actually wanted to wear.
4. You Try a New Look Before Work
Experimenting with graphic eyeliner, elaborate curls, or a complicated hairstyle can be enjoyable, but a busy weekday morning isn’t always the best time for it. New techniques usually take longer because you’re still figuring out the steps and correcting mistakes. When the result doesn’t turn out as planned, you may have to remove everything and start again.
5. Overcomplicating Your Skincare Routine
Layering on ten different products every morning might feel luxurious, but it's also a major time drain if you're in a rush. Serums, essences, oils, and creams all need a few minutes to absorb properly, and skipping that step just means you're wasting product. A routine with too many steps is harder to stick to consistently, especially on busy days.
6. Scrolling Your Phone Before Getting Out of Bed
Checking notifications, texts, and social media the second you wake up feels harmless, but those five minutes have a sneaky way of turning into twenty. Your brain gets pulled into whatever you're looking at, and suddenly you've lost track of how much time has passed. This habit alone can throw off your entire morning schedule before you've even brushed your teeth.
7. Washing Your Hair Every Single Morning
Daily hair washing not only dries out your scalp over time, but it also adds a significant chunk of time to your routine that you might not need. Between shampooing, conditioning, and drying, you could easily be spending twenty to thirty extra minutes that a dry shampoo or a simple updo could eliminate. Many hair types actually look and feel better with a day or two between washes anyway.
8. You Keep Changing Your Mind
You may start with one lipstick, switch to another, and then adjust your blush because the colors no longer work together. The same pattern can happen with shoes, jewelry, handbags, or jackets. Frequent changes make it harder to finish because each decision creates another one.
9. Your Clothes Need Last-Minute Attention
Wrinkled tops, loose buttons, lint-covered pants, and missing accessories can all delay you right before you need to leave. These problems feel even more stressful in the morning because there’s little time to fix them properly. Even a simple outfit can become inconvenient when it hasn’t been checked beforehand.
10. Trying to Multitask Everything at Once
Attempting to eat breakfast, apply mascara, and answer texts all at the same time usually backfires and takes longer than doing each task separately. Splitting your attention between several things means you're more likely to make mistakes, like smudging your makeup or spilling your coffee. Focusing on one task at a time, even for just a few minutes, tends to get you out the door faster in the end.
Now that you know what's been holding you back, it's time to flip the script. These ten tips will help you reclaim those lost minutes and start your day feeling put together instead of frazzled.
1. Plan Your Outfit the Night Before
Take five minutes before bed to pick out your clothes, right down to the accessories you plan to wear. This small step removes an entire decision from your morning, freeing up mental energy for everything else you need to do. Laying everything out also gives you a chance to double-check that nothing needs ironing or last-minute fixing.
2. Build a Streamlined Beauty Station
Organize your skincare and makeup products in the order you use them, whether that's in a drawer, a caddy, or a designated corner of your bathroom counter. Having everything within reach and in a logical sequence cuts down on the time you spend searching and backtracking. A little organization up front saves you minutes every single day, which adds up over weeks and months.
3. Use Multipurpose Beauty Products
Products that handle more than one step can reduce both application time and clutter. A tinted moisturizer, for example, may replace separate foundation and hydration steps, while a cream color can work on the cheeks and lips. Choose formulas that you already know perform well on your skin rather than testing unfamiliar combinations during a rushed morning.
4. Build a Simple Hairstyle Rotation
Save the full wash for every two or three days and lean on dry shampoo or a simple bun on the days in between. Learning a couple of quick styles, like a slicked-back ponytail or a claw clip twist, gives you polished options that take under two minutes. Your hair will likely thank you too, since washing less often can help maintain its natural oils.
5. Prep Your Hair Before Bed
Nighttime preparation can reduce the amount of styling required the next day. You might loosely braid your hair, apply a leave-in product, wrap it appropriately, or arrange it in a way that protects your preferred texture. The best method depends on your hair type, but the goal is to wake up with less work to do.
6. Set a Time Limit for Each Stage
Give yourself a reasonable amount of time for skincare, makeup, hair, and dressing. A visible clock or timer can help you notice when one step is taking longer than planned. This doesn’t mean you have to rush, but it will help you keep your routine moving at a steady pace.
7. Create a Landing Zone for Accessories
Designate a specific spot, like a tray or a small dish by your door, where you keep your everyday jewelry, sunglasses, and bag. Knowing exactly where these items live means you're not digging through drawers while you're already running behind. This simple system also helps you avoid losing pieces you actually love to wear.
8. Keep a Reliable Backup Outfit Ready
Have one complete outfit available for mornings when your original choice doesn’t work. Select something comfortable, flattering, and appropriate for a range of situations. A dependable backup prevents a minor wardrobe problem from turning into a lengthy styling session.
9. Strip Your Skincare Down to the Essentials
Stick to a cleanser, a moisturizer with SPF, and maybe one targeted treatment for your morning routine, saving the rest for nighttime. A shorter routine is easier to maintain consistently and still gives your skin what it needs to look fresh throughout the day. You can always layer on more products at night when you have a little extra time to spare.
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10. Tackle One Task at a Time
Resist the urge to multitask and instead move through your routine step by step, whether that's showering, then dressing, then doing your makeup. Giving each task your full attention usually means you finish it faster and with better results than if you were juggling several things at once. You'll likely find that a focused approach leaves you feeling calmer and more put-together by the time you walk out the door.
