Some days, getting out of bed feels like trying to climb the Mount Everest in fuzzy socks—with no oxygen, no sherpa, and definitely no coffee waiting at base camp. Honestly, I’ve had mornings where my body was horizontal, my willpower was MIA, and my only motivation was… well, nonexistent. The older I get, the louder the snooze button sings my name like a favorite old tune. Back in the day (I swear I sound like I’m pushing fifty), jumping out of bed took five seconds flat. Now? It’s like negotiating a peace treaty with my blanket—epic and exhausting.

So what do you do when your brain screams “nah” and your blanket claims you as its permanent resident? You get crafty. Gently trick yourself with enough strategy to tip the scales from “stay put” to “move a muscle.” Here are five real-world, no-BS tips to haul your butt out of bed even when your motivation took a personal day.

1. Don’t wait to feel ready—just start moving

If you’re sitting there waiting for motivation to magically appear, spoiler alert: it probably won’t. Motivation is like that flaky friend who says, “I’ll be there,” but ghosted you three texts ago. So instead of waiting for “ready,” aim for movement. Wiggle a toe. Roll onto your side. Sit up. Stand. That tiny spark of motion builds momentum fast. Remember, you’re not climbing a mountain, just peeling yourself off a mattress. Motivation’s unreliable; discipline is the real MVP here (read: how to stay motivated). Baby steps win races.

2. Set the “bare minimum” goal

When the thought of facing the day feels overwhelming, shrink your goals to micro-missions. Instead of “I need to get up, shower, answer emails, make a smoothie, become a functioning adult,” try: “I’m just going to pee and then see how I feel.” That’s it. Once you’re in motion, the next step usually feels a little less impossible. Micro-goals are magic for everything from writing essays to leaving the bed fortress. When you already got up to pee, you might as well set a tea or hop in the shower. See? Progress. And hey, if all you did was pee? Congrats. Human biology: nailed it.

3. Use the 5-second rule (the motivational one, not the floor-food one)

This gem comes from Mel Robbins: the second you even think about tackling something tough, start a quick countdown—5-4-3-2-1—and just jump. No overthinking allowed. Don’t let your brain bargain for another five minutes under the covers. That countdown breaks the loop of excuses and launches you into action. Bonus: it even works in the shower. After belting out my shower concert and debating staying under the warm water forever, I hit my countdown and flip the tap off. Sure, sometimes it takes me four rounds of 5-4-3-2-1, but hey—progress is progress!

4. Create a get-up ritual you actually look forward to

If your morning starts with dread and overwhelm, no wonder your bed feels safer. So create a mini ritual that makes the transition from bed to world slightly less brutal (read: the mindful morning routine). A warm drink. A podcast that makes you laugh. A playlist that slowly turns your brain on. The promise of your favorite socks. Whatever feels cozy and doable—make it yours. I promise you that it is a game changer when your morning starts with something joyful. When I wake up, I look forward to a calm meditation followed by a delicious home-made matcha before I dive into my day.

5. Be your own kindest friend—not a drill sergeant

Newsflash: shame is not a motivator. Beating yourself up for “laziness” is like yelling at a wilted plant for needing water. Try kindness instead. Say, “Hey, I know it’s hard today. Let’s just take this one step at a time.” Compassion fuels progress. Guilt fuels Netflix marathons and existential spirals. Choose your narrator wisely. Every time I hit snooze or slept in, I felt 0-1 behind, all because I judged myself for “wasting” those hours. Now, I remind myself that those extra couple of hours were probably exactly what I needed, and I move on with my day.

Final thoughts

Getting out of bed when your motivation tank is empty isn’t a failure—it’s a totally human struggle. Whether you’re burnt out, feeling blue, or just having a “meh” day, you don’t need a miracle morning. You need micro-wins, a dash of self-compassion, and maybe a strong cup of coffee or matcha.

So next time your mattress tries to win the battle, remember: you don’t have to be ready—you just have to start.

What’s one tiny thing you can do this morning to kickstart your day? ✨