This TV Exec Wants You to Start Every Morning Feeling Like a Goddess

What's the first thing you do when you get out of bed in the morning? A well-rounded morning routine sets the tone for the day and gets you prepped—both mentally and physically—before diving into a packed schedule filled with emails, chores, happy hours, workouts, and more. Our series Morning Person profiles those who have mastered the art of the morning routine. Tune in every Monday morning here and on our Instagram to learn exactly how the pros get it all done before the sun comes up, from their go-to breakfasts to their a.m. workouts.

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(Image credit: Sarah Coulter)

How many times have you woken up with a sense of dread for the day to come or felt intense stress about work/life/etc. the first moment you open your eyes? I think it's safe to say that's happened to a lot of us, and it can really set a bad mood for the rest of the day.

Tara Schuster, vice president of talent and development at Comedy Central, has advice for chasing away those bad morning feelings: Get ready like a goddess or empress. (She prefers Cleopatra, but any powerful female will work.) "I don't need a palace to greet the day like the sovereign ruler I am," explains Schuster, whose first book, Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies, comes out on February 18. "I take the time to act as if I am a powerful empress: confident, expansive, and enthusiastic about the work of the upcoming day."

6:40 a.m.

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(Image credit: duet postscriptum/Stocksy)

I was not born an early riser. Ask my roomies from college, and they will tell you they often referred to me as "gremlin-like" in the mornings and would steer clear of me until I had at least two cups of coffee. But by my late 20s, I knew that if I sincerely wanted to have a creative side hustle, then I would have to figure out how in the holy hell I, a gremlin, could become an early riser (gross). I knew it was the only time in the day when my mind would be fresh, or at least not burned out, and when I wouldn't be getting calls from the office.

7 a.m.

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(Image credit: Headspace)

I'm not so good at meditating. My Headspace app tells me that I'm supposed to let the clouds of thought pass by in order to see the endless blue skies of a truly open mind. It sounds heavenly, but I find meditation very difficult. Every time I try to do it, my mind immediately wanders to such high-level thoughts as, "What am I going to eat next?" and "Ugh, when will I do the laundry?" But for the past few months, I have committed to 10 minutes of meditation. Habits take time to build, so I forgive myself for not "nailing it" and keep showing up. That's what I'm supposed to do, right Headspace's Andy?

7:15 a.m.

7:20 a.m.

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(Image credit: Lumina/Stocksy)

This is the only time of day I can write. For the rest of the day, I work for the man and after work, oh boy, my brain is fried. So, if I want to do anything creative, it must happen now. I light a delicious candle, open my Google Doc where I keep all of my thoughts, put my phone on Do Not Disturb, and set a timer for one hour. I don't check Facebook; I don't online shop; I don't do anything but type. Usually, this time is generative. I don't edit myself. Editing is for the weekends when I have more leisure time. When the alarm goes off one hour later, I am free and won't feel guilty for the rest of the day for not having written.

8:20 a.m.

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(Image credit: Sumetee Theesungnern/Getty Images)

It's time to brush my teeth and then scramble to the gym! Working out for me is nonnegotiable. It is my preventive measure against the anxiety that lurks in my mind. I must make it to the gym because I will always, always feel better for it. I pack my gym bag the night before and lay out my on-point exercise ensemble (my way to make exercise as appealing as possible) so that there is not a second wasted. I also always make sure to schedule trips with enough time to work out pre- or post-flight, be it vacation or business. I must get real sweaty once a day or I don't feel like myself. And why wouldn't I want to feel like myself?

8:35 a.m.

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(Image credit: Corey Jenkins/Getty Images)

I chose to live very close to both my gym and my office to make my morning ritual easier to accomplish. At the gym, I mix up my routine! I take a nearly impossible jump rope class once a week, I lift weights, I take Pilates, and I do a whole lot of cardio (rowing, running, stairs). I try to do something different every day so I won't get bored and so that my body won't get too comfortable. I'm all for being comfortable at home in my favorite camo sweats, but when I'm at the gym, I like to take on a physical challenge.

9:35 a.m.

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(Image credit: Leandro Crespi/Stocksy)

Even though I am in the locker room of my gym, I get ready like Cleopatra. I don't need a palace to greet the day like the sovereign ruler I am. I take the time to act as if I am a powerful empress: confident, expansive, and enthusiastic about the work of the upcoming day. I listen to Frank Ocean on my ear pods. I anoint my skin with SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. I slather my face in Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream. I paint my face with BareMinerals tinted moisturizer with mineral-based SPF. I coat my eyelashes in Armani's Black Ecstasy mascara because I'm pretty sure that is what Cleopatra would have favored.

Disclaimer

This article is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used in the place of advice of your physician or other medical professionals. You should always consult with your doctor or healthcare provider first with any health-related questions.

Managing Editor

Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work on THE/THIRTY and Who What Wear, she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.