How I trained myself to wake up earlier
I've always been fascinated by the idea of being a morning person. The thought of having some alone time, watching the sunrise, and enjoying a hot cup of coffee without the constant interruption of notifications, phone calls, and emails sounds like heaven. But let's be real, waking up early is no easy feat, especially before 7 a.m. And for someone like me, who despises the sound of a traditional alarm, the struggle was real.
So I did what any busy New Yorker would do, turned to YouTube for some early-morning routine inspiration. After watching countless videos and tweaking the advice to fit my lifestyle, I finally made progress in becoming a morning person.
Here are some of the things that worked for me (and some that didn't):
1 —
Get Your Snooze On: Establish a Rockin' Bedtime Routine and Stick to It!
First and foremost, creating a strict bedtime routine and sticking to it was key. No phone in bed, reading before sleep, and charging my phone across the room made all the difference. When I started to stray from this routine, my sleep suffered, and my wake-ups were more difficult.
2 —
Wake Up and Smell the Sunshine: Make Getting Out of Bed More Exciting!
Next, I made getting out of bed more appealing. I placed my fluffiest robe and slippers near my bed, and I started thinking about my morning cup of coffee before even going to sleep. It made getting out of bed in the chilly winter mornings a bit easier.
3 —
Brighten Up Your Mornings: Let Lights Be Your Wake-Up Fairy!
Using lights to wake me up was also a game-changer. My Casper Glow Lights have a gentle alarm function that gradually illuminates the room, making the wake-up process feel natural and gentle.
4 —
Get Your Morning Mojo Flowing with These "Pillars" of Productivity!
I set "pillars" in my morning schedule, which helped me focus on why I wanted to wake up early in the first place. My pillars include exercise, personal writing, and getting ready for the day. Creating time for myself every morning has been a game-changer in every aspect of my life. Even on the days when I don’t wake up as early as I’d like, having structure in my mornings has been crucial.
5 —
The Write Way to Start Your Day: Take Morning Notes
Whether I managed to get up at 5 a.m. or not, I trained myself to take notes each and every morning (usually along with my daily journaling or to-do list writing). I writ about what worked, what didn’t, and the reasons I slept in or stayed up late. This helps me stay honest about the things that aren't working (mindlessly scrolling on my phone) and what are (morning workouts feel SO good). It makes it that much easier to prioritize waking up early.
6 —
Spark Your Interest
In the past, my attempts to cultivate an early rising habit were often accompanied by a feeling of failure, which created a negative experience. This time, however, I decided to approach the process with a sense of curiosity and a desire to learn how to wake up early naturally. This shift in perspective made the experience positive and enjoyable, rather than a harsh and rigid routine. This change was instrumental in helping me develop a love for waking up early.
Nowadays, I manage to wake up early about half the week. The more consistently I follow the steps I've outlined above, the easier it is to stick to the routine. When I'm less consistent, it can be a bit more challenging, but I know exactly what I need to do to get back on track. I also recognize that even if I don't wake up at 5 a.m. every day, it doesn't mean that I am any less successful.