I'm not a morning person.

I hated the sound of the alarm at 6 a.m., especially in the winter when it was still cold and dark outside. 

I grumble when the dog jumps on the bed at 5:45 a.m. (my new alarm) to tell me I'm ready to go outside and start the day! Good thing the sun rises early in the Philippines. 

Morning's just not my cup of tea (ohh...the comfy bed!), but I do admit that it has some benefits: I'm more alert in the morning, better able to focus and do things like write, and I always feel mucho better when I allow myself an early yoga session. The truth is, if I wait until afternoon to get anything accomplished...well...nothing gets accomplished.

So here's a list of great morning tips I've put together to help myself and anyone else who would rather pull the covers over her head when the sun rises. Here's to more refreshing, happier mornings!

Create something to look forward to.
This could be your first cup of coffee or tea in a pretty cup, a freshly made omelette or a passage out of your favorite book of poems. 

Put together a "great morning" song mix.
You can do this by creating a playlist in iTunes or through free services like 8Tracks and Spotify.

Think good thoughts.
Instead of stressing over all you have to do or what might go wrong throughout the day, think about what might go right and count your blessings.

Change your alarm clock.
The best thing I ever did when I was working an 8-5 job was change my alarm from some blaring, jump-out-of-your-dream-state noise thing to an alarm clock that played bird noises and lit up like a rising sun (you can see it here). Granted, if you're a heavy sleeper, something like that might not work, but look around for or create your own alarm with soothing sounds. It's less jarring and allows for a more peaceful transition from sleep to waking.

Move those bones.
Stretch your muscles before hopping out of bed. Roll out your yoga mat or go for an early-morning walk before work. Anything to get the nightly "fuzz" out and tell your body you're ready for the day.

Write morning pages.
I admit, sometimes my morning pages turn into afternoon or just-before-bed pages, but the beauty of writing in the morning is that your mind is fresh. Plus, morning writing creates space for the rest of the day because you've already spilled your heart and mind onto the page. It's also great for recording dreams.

Listen to the Best Day Ever meditation.
I have to show some love for Ms. Leonie Dawson here because she's created a beautiful morning meditation that really gets you pumped for the day ahead. You can only get it through membership (plus a lot of other amaaaazing stuff), but it's worth it. Total spirit boost!

Organize the night before.
Instead of rushing around to find this or do that, lay out everything you'll need the night before. Pick out your outfit, get your lunch together, make a list of to-dos. It really makes a difference.

Give yourself enough time to eat breakfast.
Isn't it more relaxing to eat your oatmeal in the comfort of your home? Okay, so maybe you have two barking dogs and a few kids to handle - in that case, wake up before everyone else for a few moments of breakfast solitude.

Create a sanctuary.
Messy bed, messy head. Yes, your bed will be messy, but the bathroom/kitchen/dining room doesn't have to be. Create a sacred morning space for yourself, even if it just means you wake up to a dish-less sink or lavender-infused bathroom. It's the little things.

Wow! What a whirlwind of a month it's been. I haven't stopped blogging like that since I started this space a few years ago, but I decided that while I was back in the states I'd spend my time with family and friends....and get married!

Yep, my boyfriend (now hubs!) of four and a half years and I tied the knot. He surprised me with a beautiful ring and we decided to go shotgun style so we could make it official in the U.S.

Anywho, now we're back in the Philippines and it's time to get blogging again - yay! 

I'm writing about self-love today. It's springtime for lots of folks, which means cleaning out closets and cluttered garages, but also, cleaning out our minds and how we think about ourselves. 

I'm such a huge fan of self-love and always learning new ways to give myself a big ol' hug. Here, a few of the more adventurous ways to do so.

Play
Let your inner child out to play. Get creative. Think about the things you loved to do as a kid and set aside some time to do them. Finger paint, play dress up, dance in the rain, go for a bike ride. Don't worry about what other people think or what your inner critic thinks. Just play!

Let Go
Holding onto frustration? Pent up with anxiety? Don't let last year's breakup or your co-worker's negative comments keep you down. Burn those pictures in a self-love ritual, take a boxing class to let off some steam, go for a run or a long walk. And remember, don't sweat the small stuff. (P.S. everything's small stuff)

Create a DIY Silent Retreat
I swoon at the thought of a destination silent retreat. Limited or no talking for several days? Sign me up! Okay, I know there's more to it than that, but in my book, silence is golden and is a great way to get in touch with ourselves and our thoughts. If a destination retreat isn't feasible, try creating one at home. This Think Happier article has some great ideas.

Push Yourself
There's nothing quite as amazing as the feeling of conquering a fear. If I can do this, I can do anything! Go outside your comfort zone. Stretch your mind, body, and soul. Maybe that means you do something as small as paint your nails hot aqua or something as large as hike Mount Everest. Once you've done it you'll feel like super woman and want to conquer the world...or at least the day ;)

Call in Sick
We all need mental health days and a break from the routine, so I'm giving you permission to call in sick. Yep, instead of pushing paper or greeting customers, spend your day painting, napping, or watching horrible reality TV. Whatever floats your sweet little boat. And don't feel bad - your co-workers will get on without you. Tip: steer away from calling in sick on a day following a holiday. Employers tend to get suspicious.

Buy Lingerie
Do you really need an excuse to buy something sexy? Go ahead, do it, and wear it under your everyday clothes. No one has to know about your little secret and you'll feel utterly divine.