This special section of Mr. Bright Side brings you the same inspiring ideas and perspectives—thoughtfully adapted for younger minds. Its purpose is to make big ideas fun, engaging, and easy to understand, helping kids explore the world with curiosity, creativity, and confidence.
***If you love Mr. Bright Side, this is the perfect place to share its spirit with the young thinkers in your life. ***
Have you ever noticed how some mornings feel exciting—like you’re being pulled out of bed by invisible strings? And other mornings... just feel heavy? Let’s meet Milo.
Milo is 10. On Saturday, he popped out of bed at 6:12 a.m.—before his alarm. Why? Because it was the day he was going to build the Lego castle he’d been dreaming about all week. He raced to the living room in his pajamas, eyes still half-closed but heart wide awake.
But on Monday? Whole different story. The alarm buzzed. Milo groaned. School was fine once he got there, but the getting-up part? Total struggle. “Five more minutes,” he mumbled, pulling the blanket over his head.
Sound familiar?
The Secret Behind Excited Mornings
When we’re excited about something in our day—big or small—it pulls us forward. We don’t need anyone to push us. We want to get going.
That’s a powerful kind of energy. And guess what? We can design our mornings to bring more of that pull. Even on regular days.
How Milo Made School Days Better
After a string of slow, snoozy mornings, Milo decided to try something new.
The night before school, he did a few small things:
He picked a funny joke to tell his teacher in the morning.
He set out his favorite blue hoodie.
He planned to watch his favorite YouTuber while eating breakfast.
He wrote in his notebook: “Tomorrow I’m going to finish my comic strip at lunch!”
He cleared off his desk and put his backpack by the door.
He even filled his water bottle and stuck it in the fridge.
None of it was huge. But together, it added up to something to look forward to and a smoother morning. When morning came, Milo still felt sleepy—but he didn’t hit snooze. His brain already knew: "You're ready. Let's go."
Try This in Your Own Life
You can be like Milo. Here are some ways to design a morning that pulls you out of bed:
🌟 Make a plan the night before.
What’s one fun, creative, or meaningful thing you can do tomorrow?
🥜 Set up your space.
Lay out your clothes, clean up your desk, pack your bag, or set the table for breakfast—so things feel smooth and calm when you wake up.
These little steps send a quiet signal to your brain: You’re ready. It’s safe to start. That can make a big difference on the edge between staying in bed and stepping into your day.
🎧 Build a routine you enjoy.
Music, drawing, stretching, warm cocoa—anything that gives your morning a friendly sparkle.
🔦 Pick a goal.
Something simple but real. Like "I’ll be kind to someone today," or "I’ll finish that drawing I started."
Even on Boring Days…
Some days just aren’t super exciting. Milo still has spelling quizzes and dentist appointments. But he’s learned a trick:
Add one thing that’s just for you.
On dentist day, Milo saved a favorite comic to read in the car. On math test day, he packed his lunch with a note to himself: “You’ve got this, dude.”
And every night, he prepped just enough to make the next morning easier to walk into. Like stepping into a room that already has the lights turned on.
It doesn’t erase the boring parts. But it gives the day meaning. It makes it his.
Real Happiness = Liking Who You Are
Milo learned something big: happiness isn’t just about fun stuff. It’s about feeling proud of how you live. It’s about choosing things that match who you want to be.
When Milo plans his day, even in small ways, he feels like he’s steering his own ship. That builds self-esteem—a quiet kind of strength that says, “I’m glad I’m me.”
That’s what gets you out of bed, even when it’s cold and dark.
Your Morning Challenge
Just like Milo did, try this:
📓 Tonight, write or draw one thing you’re excited to do tomorrow.
🎶 Think of one little thing you can add to your morning to make it easier to walk into—and make it more "you."
Then when morning comes, listen. You might hear something whispering inside you:
“Let’s go. It’s time. You’ve got a day to live.”