In a former (albeit short-lived) life, I worked retail, and opening up shop was the sought-after shift. There was something satisfying about lining the shelves with perfectly folded tees (yes, you can call me obsessive), taking my time merchandising the displays, and savoring the stillness before the rush. As part of the opening crew, I set the tone for the day and made sure it went off without a hitch. If the morning ran smoothly, the whole day felt manageable.
Lately, TikTokers are taking a page from the “opening shift” concept and reframing it to romanticize and reset their morning routines at home. You might already know its nighttime counterpart—the “closing shift“—as a method to tidy up before going to bed. Think of the opening shift as its brighter twin: a purposeful ritual designed to ground your home, body, and mind before the outside world comes barging in. Cue the Mel Robbins sound bite: “When that alarm rings, get up and start the day.” It’s time for your opening shift.
What Is the “Opening Shift” Morning Routine?
Just like I had a protocol before opening the doors at my retail job, the “opening shift” morning routine is about running through a personal checklist that makes you feel calm, collected, and ready to take on the day. Maybe it’s the small, foundational stuff to lay the groundwork for a productive day, like making your bed and meal prepping your lunch. Then there’s the you-maintenance that prepares your mind and body, like stretching, drinking a tall glass of water, or a few quiet minutes sans any screens. The point is to tailor your opening shift to fit your lifestyle and goals, making it as long and detailed or as quick and simple as you’d like. For some, it’s a 90-minute production complete with a cup of hot lemon water, a sunrise walk, and journaling. For others, it’s ten focused, no-frills minutes: unloading the dishwasher and stepping outside for five minutes of morning sunlight, and calling it done. However elaborate or minimal it looks, your opening shift routine should leave you feeling organized, clear-headed, and up for tackling whatever the day brings.
Benefits of an Opening Shift
To quote the viral queen of morning routines, Mel Robbins, again: “Do not lie in bed. Do not hit the snooze button. Lying in bed is making how you feel worse.” We all know how hard it is to keep our promise to get up when the alarm goes off—and when we don’t heed Robbins’ advice (five more minutes, one more scroll), we end up scrambling to get ready before work. You’re speed-walking through your apartment, half-dressed, no breakfast in sight, and already behind before you’ve even logged on. Instead of stepping into the day feeling composed and clear, that frazzled energy creates a ripple effect on the rest of your day. On the other hand, when you commit to a repeatable set of morning tasks that make you feel good, you build momentum before life makes demands of you. Consistent morning habits mean you’re more energized, mindful, and productive (science says so). The “opening shift” trend flips the morning routine from a burden you feel obligated to do into a way to front-load calm that sets your day up right.
How to Try It
TikTok is full of opening shift morning routine inspo, but when building your own, focus on your personal goals and the rituals that actually get you there.
If your goal is to reduce stress…
Romanticize your mornings by making the most of your morning wake-up call. Open the curtains, do a quick declutter (because clutter in your space results in clutter in your mind), prep and savor your beverage of choice, light your favorite candle, practice some deep breathing exercises, and spend 10 minutes with your new read. Way better than stumbling onto your first meeting or sprinting out the door disheveled.
If your goal is to be more productive…
Step one: Make your bed. That simple morning act gives you an instant win that will encourage knocking out more tasks throughout the day. Follow that with eating a nourishing breakfast while reviewing the to-do list you prepped during your closing shift the night before—use it to prioritize what really matters. And perhaps most important of all: cut distractions. Yes, that goes for your phone and TikTok.
If your goal is to boost energy…
This starts with a night of quality Zzzs, of course (see: The Hot Girl Nighttime Checklist). But your morning shift can include drinking a full glass of water (bonus points if you make it sexy), going on a walk while getting morning sunlight, and taking a cold shower.
Katherine Chang, Wellness Staff Writer
Katherine Chang is The Everygirl’s Wellness Staff Writer with over five years of experience in the health and wellness space. She navigates the latest wellness topics and trends through expert interviews and studies, and she’s always first in line to try them firsthand.
Feature images credited to: Bradley Evette | Dupe, Lotte Nielson | Dupe, Madison Brown | Dupe
