Welcome to Waking Up Well, a column where we hand-select people we admire and ask them to share how they start the day. We think morning routines are a crucial part of an intentional wellness journey and we’re fascinated by the practices of our favorite figures.

Jenefer Palmer founded the sustainable skincare brand OSEA almost thirty years ago — in her bathrobe. Working from her garage, the single mother had product boxes stacked floor to ceiling all over her home, taking calls throughout the day while shuttling her kids to and from school. She discovered that as long as she was truly comfy in a high-quality bathrobe, she could make herself calm and collected enough to focus, no matter the chaos around her.

We are so inspired by Jenefer’s gentle and luxurious start to her day — from an alarm-free natural wake-up to a meditation practice from her bed that ends in the cutest way — this is a woman who knows how to truly enjoy the abundance of life’s simple pleasures. 🌿

7:30 am | Wake slowly, naturally 💤

I usually wake up when my husband, Steve, gets up — but then I drift back to sleep for a little while longer. Most days, I wake up naturally, which feels like the ultimate luxury. After years of early mornings as a single mom, it’s such a gift to sleep in, now that my kids are grown. I never set an alarm. I truly value prioritizing rest and giving my body the full night’s sleep it needs. 

Sunlight casts soft, warm shadows through a window onto beige curtains, creating abstract patterns of light and shadow on the fabric.
A close-up of unmade white bed sheets and a pillow, showing soft fabric folds and a relaxed, casual appearance.

8 am | Meditation and meow 😽

I like to ease into my day gently. I find the most relaxing way to start my morning is to meditate for 20 minutes. One unconventional part of my routine? I meow a few times to signal my husband to come in and give me a kiss. Only then do I leave the bed. 

8:30 am | Skincare in my bathrobe 🫧

When I get up, I slip into my cozy cotton robe from Parachute. I’m a big believer in bathrobe life. There’s something so grounding and zen about starting your day in a robe. I head to the bathroom to scrape my tongue and brush my teeth. While I’m doing that, I like to incorporate hip rotations. These small movements help wake up my body and boost circulation.

I don’t wash my face in the morning since I do a thorough cleanse at night, but I always start my morning skincare with the Essential Hydrating Oil — fun fact, it was the first product I ever created. Next, I spritz on Sea Minerals Mist, followed by Ocean Eyes Age-Defying Eye Serum and Advanced Protection Cream to lock everything in. For body care, I either use the Undaria Algae Body Oil or the Hyaluronic Body Serum if I’m short on time. 

A woman in a white robe smiles while holding up a bottle of OSEA skincare product in a living room with framed pictures and a grand piano in the background.
A person holds a pump bottle of OSEA Undaria Algae Body Oil against their legs. The bottle contains 150 mL of fragrance-free oil.

9 am | Breakfast ballet 🩰

My husband makes me an espresso, which I sip while making breakfast. It is usually a simple meal of pumpkin seeds, walnuts, and blueberries with yogurt. When I’m mixing it up, I sneak in some movement by standing on one leg or doing pliés to keep my body engaged.

A white cup of espresso sits on a matching saucer with a black spoon, placed on a dark surface.
A wooden table displays bowls of pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, dried fruit, a stick of butter, and a large bowl partially filled with oats.

9:30 am | Emails and workout 🚲

After breakfast, I change into my workout clothes. Usually, my go-to is MATE The Label, because I love their soft cotton material. Then I take a few minutes to check emails before diving into my workout. I either hop on my stationary bike or do a Pilates session on my reformer, which I consider my second luxury in life — right after the freedom to wake up whenever I please.

10:30 am | Work (while daydreaming about lunch) 🥗

Once I’ve finished my workout, I officially kick off the workday. From there, my mind usually drifts to lunch — I’m always thinking about food, so it’s the perfect time to start planning my next meal!

A woman wearing headphones and a light-colored robe sits at a table, smiling while using a pink laptop in a home setting.
A bowl of salad with broccoli, avocado, olives, dates, carrots, and orange slices, with chopsticks resting on the bowl.

Thanks to Jenefer Palmer for providing images for this piece. Additional imagery from OSEA.