Morning Routine as a Corporate Girl: In-Office & Work From Home Days
Hello friends & good morning!
Have you ever wondered what someone else does for their morning routine? Or maybe you’ve been curious about what a morning looks like for someone working in corporate America. Today, I’m sharing the ins and outs of my morning routine as a corporate girl, from my in-office days to my work-from-home mornings.
If you missed last week’s blog post, I walked through my 2026 edit & rebrand for What’s Em Style, and a big part of that shift is creating more content rooted in my real, everyday life — including my job.
If you didn’t know, content creation is not my full-time job (even though I wish it were 😉). I’m an executive assistant in Dallas, Texas, working for a large corporate consulting firm. I work a hybrid schedule, meaning I’m in the office on Mondays and Thursdays and work from home the rest of the week. Because of that, my in-office morning routine and my WFH morning routine look very different.
My In-Office Morning Routine
6:30 AM
My Hatch sunrise alarm clock goes off with a warm, mellow yellow light and calming morning ambience. I love my Hatch because it forces me to get off my phone and be more intentional with how I start and end my day.
Another way I’ve been protecting my mornings is by using my Brick to lock down social media and other apps that lead to mindless scrolling. This is something I started implementing in the new year, and it has genuinely helped me create better habits and use my mornings more intentionally.
6:45 AM
Once I’m out of bed, I head straight to the kitchen to make my lunch for the day. If I’m going into the office, I have to pack my lunch — and for some reason, I will never do it the night before…
While I’m packing my lunch, I’m either making coffee or cracking open a cold Celsius (this is my favorite part of my morning). If I remember, I’ll also ice roll my face to wake myself up and reduce puffiness — emphasis on if I remember…
7:00 AM
Around 7, I start getting ready for the day. Either my outfit is already laid out from the night before, or I head into my closet to put something together. On office days, my goal is to feel as comfortable as possible while still looking chic and put-together. I’ve been really intentional about curating outfits that feel effortless but polished, and I talk more about that on my social media if you want to follow along.
7:15 AM
Once I start doing my makeup, I’ll also go outside to warm up my car — especially in the winter. My makeup routine is very simple and quick. I use just a few products, which went a little viral when I shared my makeup bowl on TikTok.
My four product makeup routine consists of all Merit Beauty products: the Minimalist complexion stick, the Uniform tinted moisturizer, the Flush Balm in Cheeky, and a drugstore mascara. Occasionally, I’ll add powder if I have something after work and need my makeup to last longer.
My biggest tip for busy mornings: simplify your makeup routine and use products that are easy, long-lasting, and save you time.
7:30 AM
By this point, I’m usually ready and grabbing my work bag, which I pack the night before. This is one of my biggest “running-late girl” hacks.
In my work bag, I always keep:
A small pouch with extra toiletries
Multiple lip glosses and chapstick
My firm-issued laptop and second monitor
A monogrammed pouch with cords and tech accessories
My water bottle
My Day Designer planner
Having my bag packed and my planner ready helps me walk into the office feeling calm and prepared instead of frazzled. I just posted a what’s in my work bag TikTok if you’re interested in the nitty gritty of my bag!
8:00 AM
Dallas traffic is no joke. I usually get into the office between 8:00 and 8:15, depending on traffic. Once I arrive, I set up at my desk, say hi to my team and friends around the office, and jump into the workday.
In-office mornings are definitely more rushed, simply because there’s more to do — and as much as I love mornings, I’m not interested in waking up before 6:30!
My Work From Home Morning Routine
6:30 AM
My Hatch alarm clock still wakes me up… but if we’re being honest, I usually lay in bed until about 7:00.
Once 7 hits, my morning goes one of two ways: a cozy, slow morning or a productive, active morning.
When I want my mornings to be slower & more intentional, I head to the kitchen to make my coffee and curl up on the couch to read my Bible. On more active mornings, I’ll grab a Celsius from the fridge and get ready for a workout. Ideally, on a perfect WFH day, I’ll go to the gym first and then come home to spend intentional time with the Lord.
If you’ve followed me for a while, you know I’ve been using the FORM workout platform by Sami Clarke for years. It offers a really balanced approach to movement and wellness, with workouts, meal plans, grocery lists, and mindfulness practices. I love the encouragement from the instructors and the variety of workouts — it keeps things fun and sustainable. Whether I’m working out at home or at the gym, FORM is always my go-to, and I truly recommend it if you’re looking for a consistent, user-friendly routine.
On mornings when I take things slow, I turn on all my lamps, light my Italic candle, and play a cozy ambience on YouTube. Lately, I’ve been loving a Maine coastline scene with crashing waves and a crackling fire. It’s the definition of peaceful and cozy, and it helps me ease into the workday feeling grounded instead of rushed!
Once my coffee is finished and my heart feels full, I’ll change out of my pajamas and head to my desk to start work! When I work from home, I still try to put together an outfit. While trying to maximize my comfort, but not sacrifice looking stylish at the same time. When you look good you feel good right??
Mornings don’t have to be perfect to be meaningful, and this rhythm has been working really well for me in this season. If you’re a fellow corporate girl navigating busy mornings, I hope this gave you a little inspiration to create a routine that works for you. 🤍
XO, Em
