How I Accidentally Became a Morning Person

Let me start by saying, I was never a morning person. In my childhood, my father used to knock at my door every 10 minutes to make sure I didn't miss school. The idea of waking up before the sun made me shiver. I always thought people who greeted dawn with a smile were a different species. And yet, here I am, writing this at 5:30 AM, a steaming cup of herbal tea by my side, and a serene smile on my face. How did this happen? Well, grab a snack and settle in. This is going to be a funny and enlightening tale of how I, a night owl by nature, accidentally became a morning person.

I rememeber those days when I almost missed my first plant design class at 8 AM. Then, a big thing happened in my life. I graduated from college and became an adult?! I got a job! The very first requirement of this job was to be present and report findings at 6:30 AM meeting every day! My eyes were not blinking for a while when I heard this. I lived only 5 minutes away from work....

The First Attempt

Day one: I set my alarm for 5:30 AM. I went to bed at a reasonable hour, determined to wake up refreshed and ready to seize the day. The alarm rang, and I…hit snooze. Seven times. When I finally dragged myself out of bed, it was 6:30, and I was late for everything. So much for day one.

Day two wasn’t much better. I managed to wake up on time but spent a good half hour scrolling through google search of appropriate work attire in a place where mostly men worked. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t needed. Polo and jeans worked just fine.

It wasn’t until a week later, when I decided to bribe myself with a delicious breakfast, that things started to change. I promised myself a nice pastry for breakfast if I woke up at 5:30 AM... Oh yes, these were my days before health and wellness, otherwise, I might have used plate of avocado toast with poached eggs and a sprinkle of chili flakes, as my bribe. . Let me tell you, the power of a good breakfast is not to be underestimated.

With breakfast as my motivator, I began to notice small shifts. I started creating self incentive to get up earlier. To tell you the truth, I wouldnt be morning person for another two years, but eventually I recognized that waking up early wasn’t just about beating the clock; it was about giving myself a peaceful start to the day.

Embracing the Change

As the days turned into weeks, my new routine started to stick, although still painful. Of course, there were many hiccups along the way. Like the time I accidentally set my alarm for 5:30 PM instead of AM and woke up in a panic at 8:30. Or the day I tried to make new breakfast and ended up having to shower three times before work. But these mishaps only made the journey more amusing and relatable.

Then fast forward several years, I remember me starting to wake up at 4:45 AM to sneak in a short run before driving to work at 6:15 AM. This is when I finally called myself a "morning person." That drive was enjoyable, however many country songs I listened to on my drive to work in SETX (South East Texas - yes, I know what you may have read) ;)

NOW

As I had to be forced into that routine of waking up early, I started to find joy in the simple pleasures of the morning: the smell of freshly brewed coffee, the sight of the first light peeking through the curtains, the sound of birds chirping.

I now meditate, a practice I had previously dismissed as something only for the super zen. Turns out, it is good for me and I look forward to it.

On weekends, I walk to the river to enjoy the quiet moments before the world wakes up. When I am home, the stillness is finally broken only by the hum of the coffee machine. Awakening with the sunrise has been the most exciting part of my day. I live where I can see the sunrise everday geographically and metaphorically.

The Moral of the Story

So, what’s the moral of this story? Is there one? Well, becoming a morning person started out as forcing myself to fit into a mold, but now I can genuinely say that I look forward to my mornings. After the first conscious breath of my morning, I am so grateful at the reminder that I am alive and I have another beautiful day to live. These mornings have become a time for self-care, reflection, and setting positive intentions for the day ahead.

If you’re a fellow night owl struggling to find your morning groove, remember this: change doesn’t happen overnight (pun intended). Be patient with yourself, find motivators that work for you, and don’t be afraid to laugh at the inevitable mishaps along the way. Who knows? You might just find yourself enjoying those early hours more than you ever thought possible.

And if all else fails, there’s always avocado toast!