smile | GO FOR IT we asked
WAKE UP AND WORK OUT I go to a cardio kickboxing class at 5:30 in the morning. It gets my heart pumping, the music’s terrific, and I feel amazing when I’m done! Laura Payton Holts Summit, MO
MAKE SOMEONE’S MORNING Three days a week, I go to the coffee shop drivethrough, and I often buy the customer behind me a cup, too. It gives me a big boost of happiness in the morning, and I’m hoping to show my daughter, who’s usually with me, how bringing others joy will improve your life as well. Lauren Matter Ballston Spa, NY
CUDDLE UP WITH A BOOK Reading books and snuggling with my two girls, ages 3 and 6, in my “big bed” starts my day in a relaxed and happy way. I keep a stack of their favorites reads nearby for easy access. Tanya Foster Sandy, UT
PLAY A PODCAST Listening to podcasts while walking the dog always inspires me for the day ahead. Some of
WE WANT TO KNOW SEP T EMBER 2015
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What recent accomplishment are you most proud of? E-mail us at ideas.familyfun@meredith.com. If we use yours, we’ll pay you $100.
Kimberly Tate Snohomish, WA
SPEND TIME JOURNALING To get my creative juices flowing, I spend time with my visual journal, a spiral-bound sketchbook in which I doodle and write. Watercolor, colored pencils, pens, chalk ... really anything goes. I also use it for my daily to-do lists and tracking my calendar. I’ve tried traditional day planners, but this works best. Lynné Sleiman Dallas, TX
SOAK IN SOME BUBBLES I like to wake up before everyone in my family and take a 10-minute bubble bath. With five daughters, I need all the positive mojo I can get! Joanna Camino Providence, RI
DO A BREAKFAST DATE My hubby leaves for work before the kids are up, but I get up with him so we can eat breakfast together. That precious half hour when it’s only us talking, laughing, or just enjoying the silence is so important to our marriage. Spending quality time with him is a great way to start my day. Kristin Irwin Florence, SC
PHOTOGRAPH BY STEPHANIE RAUSER/TRUNK ARCHIVE
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO JUMP-START YOUR DAY?
my favorites are Power of Moms Radio, Brilliant Business Moms, The MOM Podcast, Beyond the To-Do List, and The Productivity Show.
