Can I be honest with you for a second?
I used to be terrible at mornings. I’d waste hours scrolling on TikTok and Instagram and I was convinced I was just not a morning person, and that was that.
Then summer hit. And something about the light coming through the window at 6 am made me actually want to get up. Not because I had to. Because it felt like a waste to stay in bed scrolling away.
That’s the thing about summer mornings in Europe. They do something to you.
So I built a routine around that feeling. Not a 5am cold plunge, journal for an hour and go for a run kind of routine. A slow and simple one. One I’ve actually managed to keep for more than two days, which for me is kinda like a miracle.
Here’s what my european summer morning routine look like right now.
My European Summer Morning Routine
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First: No phone for the first 20 minutes
I know. You’ve heard this a hundred times but I’m saying it anyway because it’s the one thing that genuinely changed everything for me. Do I do it every single day? No, but I’m working on it, I swear.
Before I even think about Instagram or emails or what’s happening in the world, I give myself 20 minutesto just exsit. I get up, open my windows, drink a glass of water, and let my brain wake up without being immediately bombarded by information. And I can honestly say there’s a big difference between when I do this and when I don’t. I feel way more mentally energized when I leave my phone be.
Starting the day on your own terms instead of on someone else’s timeline is a completely different experience. I can’t explain it better than that, you just have to try it.
Skincare while the coffee brews
My morning skincare routine takes about five minutes, which means it fits perfectly into the time it takes my coffee pot to do its thing.
Summer version is simple: I wash my face with only cold water, the I use a toner, vitamin C serum (non-negotiable — I’ve been using one consistently for over a year and the difference is real), moisturizer and SPF.
If I’mnot leaving until later in the day, I’ll skip the SPF and put it on before leaving the house. If I’m going out — even just to the market — the SPF is going on, no exceptions.
Sun protection is, genuinely, the most European beauty habit I can think of. It does wonders to your skin long-term.
A proper breakfast (eaten sitting down)
I’ve always been someone who ate breakfast sitting down, I can’t do it any other way, but I know there are some people who eat it on the go.
Summer makes it easier to sit down to eat. When it’s warm and the light is nice, there’s something genuinely lovely about making a proper breakfast and actually sitting down to eat it. It doesn’t have to be complicated — mine usually isn’t. Toast with a latte and some fruit it the usual go-to for me.
The key detail: no screens while I eat. I usually eat while reading a physical book or reading on my kindle. It’s honestly one of the nicest parts of my day, and it took me years to figure out that eating at a table could be enjoyable rather than just functional.
Getting dressed with intention (not just grabbing whatever)
Okay, this is where I admit I have a slight advantage, given that I spend a lot of time thinking about clothes. But even if fashion isn’t your thing, hear me out.
Taking five minutes to actually think about what you’re wearing, not just grabbing the first thing on your wardrobe, changes how you feel for the rest of the day. There’s something about being intentional with getting dressed that sets the tone for the rest of your day.
In summer, my formula is basically always the same: something light, something linen or cotton if possible, one thing that feels a little elevated even if I’m just running errands. A nice sandal. A good bag. The European approach to getting dressed isn’t about being overdressed — it’s about caring just enough. Effortless, but intentional.
If you want more on this, I wrote a whole post about how to dress European — it covers everything you need to know.
A walk before I sit down to work
If there’s one habit I’d tell absolutely everyone to add to their morning, it’s this.
Not a long walk. Not a power walk with a podcast blasting in your ears. Just a short walk —15 minutes, maybe 30 — outside, if possible, or using your walking pad if you have one.
I started doing this in spring and I haven’t stopped. Something about moving your body and being outside before the day officially starts makes everything feel more manageable. My brain is clearer. I’m less reactive. I feel like I actually chose to start the day rather than just falling into it.
What I don’t do (and stopped feeling guilty about)
No journaling. I do journal, but when I want, wether it’s in the morning, afternoon or night. Also, I don’t do it daily, I do when when I feel like it.
No elaborate breakfast meal prep. I don’t have the patience for it, to be honest. I just eat whatever I feel like eating that morning.
No workout first thing. I’m not saying I don’t workout, but I don’t make it a chore- that’s how I know I won’t ever do it.
I think one of the most sustainable things I’ve done for my routine is to stop adding things I “should” do and just focus on the things that actually make me feel good. The result is something I want to do, not something I drag myself through.
The honest truth about routines
Here’s what I’ve learned: the perfect morning routine is the one you’ll actually stick to.
And the thing that makes you stick to it? It should feel good while you’re doing it. It should fit your actual life, not some aspirational version of it. And it should leave some room for the days when everything goes sideways — because those days happen more often than not, and a routine that can’t survive them isn’t a real routine.
Summer is genuinely the best time to build new habits. There’s more light, more warmth, more of that slow energy that makes it easier to take your time.
Start with one thing. See how it feels. Add something else only when the first one feels natural.
That’s it. That’s the whole secret.
What does your summer morning look like? I’m genuinely curious — especially if you’ve found something that actually works. Tell me in the comments.
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