How My Morning Routine Keeps My Mindset Strong in a Tough Market
(And no, I’m not part of the 5AM Club)
Let’s be honest: real estate isn’t for the faint of heart—especially in a shifting market. Whether it’s changing inventory, hesitant buyers, or pricing puzzles, staying calm and clear-headed is key. Over the years, I’ve found that the best way to show up for my clients with clarity and confidence is to start my day with a little structure, a little strategy, and a little lemon-ginger tea.
Spoiler: I’m not meditating on a mountain top or running five miles before dawn. My morning routine is simple, slightly nerdy, and surprisingly powerful—and it’s made all the difference in keeping my mindset strong when the market gets tough.
6:30 AM: Tea, Not Coffee (Yes, I said goodbye to caffeine—and survived)
I start every day with a hot mug of lemon-ginger tea, a scoop of collagen, and a dollop of honey. I used to be a coffee junkie (we all were at some point, right?), but after sinus surgery, it never tasted the same. Ditching caffeine ended up being a blessing in disguise—less jitters, more clarity, and honestly, better sleep.
This small shift in my routine started a larger pattern: choosing what fuels me instead of what drains me. In real estate, that mindset matters.
Games First, Stress Later
Before diving into emails, deadlines, or anything remotely stressful, I open the NY Times games app and play Wordle, Connections, the Mini Crossword, and Strands. My friends and I have a group chat where we share our scores (and no, we don’t gatekeep—my starting Wordle word is CRANE, thank you very much).
Playing these games helps me warm up mentally, get into a playful, curious headspace, and shake off any lingering stress from the night before. It’s my brain’s version of stretching before a workout—and a way to spark joy before the busy day begins.
Blinds Open, Brain Clear
Next stop: my home office. I open the blinds, let the sun in, and do a quick mental download. Mondays are my reset button. I reflect on the previous week—what worked, what didn’t, what still needs to be done. Then I build my schedule based on priorities, timelines, and upcoming appointments.
I group tasks by urgency and effort (some things take 10 minutes, others are a full-blown project). And even though I’m pretty tech-savvy, I still use a good old-fashioned paper planner. Picking my pen, highlighter, and weekly color theme (this week: purple 💜) makes planning feel more creative and fun.
This helps me mentally “clock in” and take control of my time—before the day starts running me instead of the other way around.
Now I’m in Realtor Mode
Only after I’ve cleared my mind and mapped out my day do I check emails. I respond to anything urgent, then head straight into the MLS to scan for:
New listings
Price changes
Status updates
I focus on the areas where my clients are actively searching or preparing to sell. This gets me grounded in real-time market data and helps me stay two steps ahead. Even just a 5-minute scan can tell you a lot about the tone of the market—whether inventory is rising, prices are stabilizing, or which listings are getting snapped up fast (hint: homes with light fixes and built-in equity are still moving).
This step is crucial. It gets me excited about the day, fuels my market insights, and ensures I’m showing up to client calls and showings with relevant, up-to-date advice.
Why This Routine Works—Even in a Tough Market
In a high-pressure industry like real estate, the way you start your day matters. Here’s what my routine gives me:
Mental clarity – by clearing my head before opening email chaos
Emotional regulation – by starting with something fun and personal
Strategic focus – by reviewing priorities before diving into distractions
Market confidence – by staying in tune with what’s actually happening in real time
This isn’t about rigid habits or hustle culture. It’s about creating space to think clearly, act intentionally, and show up with confidence for every client I serve.
You don’t need to wake up at 5AM, run 10 miles, or drink mushroom coffee to be successful in this business. You just need a routine that grounds you—and reminds you why you’re here in the first place.
For me, that means tea, word games, sunshine, and a purple highlighter. It’s not flashy, but it works—and in a tough market, I’ll take “clear and calm” over “chaotic and caffeinated” any day.
