A Fashion Editor Shares Her Secret to Setting Up Her Day for Success

What's the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before you dive into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. Our series Morning Person profiles those who have mastered the art of the morning routine.

Tune in every week here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

I realize many people would find my early morning habits bizarre—maybe even crazy. And I get it. Who would voluntarily get up at 5 a.m. every day? I would. I wake up at the crack of dawn not just because I enjoy exercising or getting in some "me" time before work, but also because I've realized just how important it is to have a solid morning routine. It sets the tone for the entire day and can improve your health and overall well-being, so to me, it's worth it. 

But everyone's morning rituals look different. Take my very stylish co-worker Yusra Siddiqui, who wakes up some hours later than I do (her new Avocado Green Mattress is to blame!) but still carves out time for herself. Sure, she might not work out first thing every morning, but she does get outside to walk and get a coffee. And to me, being consistent is what's most important. Here, Siddiqui takes us through what a typical morning looks like for her and how having a good night's sleep has made all the difference in starting her day off right. 

"I'm a market editor at Who What Wear, and I'm just getting settled into my new apartment. Pre-COVID, I was super productive in the mornings, and now I'm trying to get back to that energy by building a routine that helps make my work-from-home schedule easier. If I'm being honest, I need seven to eight hours of sleep, and I'm prone to hitting the snooze button on my alarm clock. But I've really been trying to get out of bed as quickly as possible so I don't get trapped in the morning z's. Though, since I got my new Avocado Green Mattress, that has been extra challenging."

Editor's note: Avocado mattresses are made with GOTS organic certified cotton and wool and GOLS organic certified latex—all sustainably sourced from farms in India.

"I'm very into my morning beauty routine. It helps me feel awake. I have sensitive skin, so I usually save excessive products like masks or treatments for the evening when I wind down. But in the morning, I stick to cleanser, toner, vitamin C serum, moisturizer, and, of course, SPF. Even though I WFH, I'm still being exposed to sunlight, so my skin needs that protection!"

"I'll be honest—I'm not a huge breakfast person. I usually keep it simple with cereal or oatmeal and then go all out with lunch and dinner, the superior meals in my opinion. (Pasta, sandwiches… Come on!) For my morning drink, I'll stick to an iced chai latte or a fruity tea."

"I used to complain to my husband about having to go on a walk to get coffee, but now it's my favorite part of my routine. I love getting some movement and fresh air first thing in the morning, especially because I've gotten a lot less active since working from home. Also, it's hard to resist a treat to go with my chai latte."

"By the time I finish work, I'm usually too tired to do a whole list of chores, so I like to complete at least one in the morning before starting work. Today's is changing my very soft Avocado organic linen sheets." 

"I used to be the kind of person who would wake up and rush into work, and that would often just lead to a day full of stress and anxiety. By carving out a little 'me' time beforehand, I can start my day slowly and ease in to being productive without the wavering anxiety. When your mind is more at ease, you obviously are able to work more smoothly."

Don't forget to head to our Instagram to watch Siddiqui's full takeover.