Night Owl to Early Bird: How To Wake Up Earlier And Like It
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if you woke up earlier each day? I used to think earlier risers had some sort of superpower I didn’t possess. But a twist in my career path led me to an unexpected transformation – from dreading the sound of the alarm to embracing the quiet of dawn. This shift wasn't just about changing the time on my clock; it was about redefining my entire lifestyle.
Join me as I share how starting a new business morphed me from a late sleeper into an early riser. Learn how this transition unlocked a world of unexpected opportunities and personal growth. As you read my story, you might just find the inspiration to explore what your own early mornings have in store for you.
Changing Careers Turned Me Into A Morning Person
For as long as I can remember, I’ve struggled to wake up in the morning. Regardless of how many hours I slept, getting out of bed was the hardest part of the day (sometimes it still is).
I remember a family vacation several years ago. All my extended family gathered under one roof for a weekend. Saturday morning, I come downstairs and join the rest of the family. I'm just sitting quietly on the couch when my mom announces to the group, “Don’t worry about Beth. She always looks like that in the morning!”
Suffice it to say, early mornings weren’t my thing, but that changed for me when I decided to start a new business and change careers.
I had run a massage therapy business for nearly 15 years. My career peaked in 2020, which as you may recall, was not a good year for personal service providers - worldwide shutdowns, social distancing, and all that. Not good for business, but my practice was thriving despite it all. I had more clients than I had time - and zero time for self-care.
When my massage therapy practice was forced to close for 3 months, I had an opportunity to live a completely different lifestyle. Like many people who went through this, I didn’t want to go back to the way things were before after experiencing something so different. I never went back to my previous client load.
Instead, I started freelancing as a copywriter. I’ve been a writer my whole life. When I stumbled upon a course on how to turn that hobby into a career, I jumped on the opportunity. It took a few months to learn the fundamentals, but soon I had paying customers.
The thing was, I now had THREE businesses. Did I mention I was also renting a house out on Airbnb? My average work day included promoting my copywriting business, networking with other creatives, writing copy for clients, cleaning the rental property and responding to rental inquiries, and then seeing a massage clients in the evening. It was a lot to juggle.
I didn’t have enough hours in the day to do it all - at least not the way I was doing it.
After reading the book The Miracle Equation by Hal Elrod, I was inspired to start getting up earlier, not just to get more done - but also to incorporate self-care and pleasure into my days. If building a successful new business and changing careers wasn’t enough to motivate me, the addition of me-time was.
How I Recalibrated My Internal Clock To Start Waking Up Earlier
I didn’t shift from waking at 9:30am to joining the 5am club overnight. The first day I set my alarm for 8:45 am. A few days later, I set my alarm for 8:30. Every couple days, I got up a few minutes earlier than the day before. The importance of small steps is paramount. This strategy didn’t require much self-discipline.
Within a few weeks my natural, no alarm, wake-up time was 6am. No alarm was a big goal of mine because I abhor alarm clocks. There’s nothing pleasant about being startled awake. I wanted to eliminate the need for an alarm as quickly as possible.
Instead of a traditional alarm clock, I used an alarm clock that mimicked the sunrise 20 minutes before the alarm (the sound of chirping birds) would go off. More often than not, the light gently roused me before the alarm went off. Eventually, my body started waking up at that time without any stimulus at all.
I made it an enjoyable experience. To make waking up before dawn more pleasurable, I used battery operated candles on a timer to light the rooms I used in the morning. It made for a cozy vibe to sit and enjoy a cup of tea and write in my journal before tackling my to do list. I essentially designed a personal retreat at home - every morning.
The most shocking part of my success was that I actually looked forward to getting up in the morning. I had turned this “chore” into an indulgent candlelit experience. Plus, I was gaining momentum and making huge strides towards reaching my goals. I was enjoying my life in a way I’d never experienced before.
I dedicated my mornings to writing because I enjoy that part of my work - and because I had no desire to talk to people or be physically active that early in the morning. Keeping the mornings calm and quiet was key to my enjoyment of them. I was usually done writing by 10:30am. Which gave me a few hours (arguably the best hours of the day) to take the dog to the park, eat lunch, read a book or take a nap before I saw massage clients. Life was good.
How Getting Up Early Completely Changed My Lifestyle
Changing my morning routine changed the rhythm and the tone of my whole day. I didn’t magically create more hours in the day. I still had the same amount of time, but now I was being intentional about how I spent it. This led to creating more healthy habits.
I had more “me time” because I built it into my days. I started watching the sunrise, while sipping my tea and reflecting on life in my journal every morning. Between work blocks, I’d take an afternoon siesta, 2-3 hours of leisure time. I walked the dog, enjoyed a meal, and prioritized an hour to me doing something restful and indulgent midday like napping in my hammock or sitting in the sun with a book.
I had more energy. That sounds counterintuitive but it’s true. Even though I was sometimes sleeping fewer hours at night, my rest was more restorative. Sometimes I needed a nap in the afternoon, so I took one. I designed my days to accommodate fluctuations in my energy. I did things that required focus early in the morning because that’s when I had it. I planned periods of rest so I could recharge instead of just pushing through.
I was happy and less stressed. Again, all that positive life design lowered my stress levels and allowed me to be really productive - that made me genuinely happy. I incorporated pleasure into my days on purpose. When I first decided to do that, I had a hard time defining what pleasure was. What I found to be true for me is that my pleasure is derived from being present, being outside, and enjoying the simple things in life.
I built a business that allowed me to travel more frequently. The whole point of my freelance copywriting business was to allow me to earn money without being tied to a location. I love to travel and explore new places. Within a year, I started traveling every 6-8 weeks. I kept that travel pace up for two years. Sometimes I’d work while on vacation, sometimes I wouldn’t. I went on backpacking trips, went on family vacations, visited friends and family in other states - all while earning more money than the previous year. (Lots of happiness points.)
13 Tips To Help You Wake Up Earlier
We’re all motivated by different things, and our internal clocks are governed by different triggers. Which means what works for one person may not work for someone else. Read through this list and find what resonates with you. Bundle a few strategies together and see what happens.
Gradual Adjustment: Start by waking up just 15 minutes earlier than usual and gradually increase this time over several days or weeks.
Consistent Sleep Schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to regulate your body's internal clock.
Create a Bedtime Ritual: Develop a relaxing nighttime routine to signal to your body that it's time to wind down, such as reading, taking a warm bath, or meditating.
Limit Evening Screen Time: Reduce exposure to screens at least an hour before bedtime, as the blue light emitted can interfere with your ability to fall asleep.
Get Moving: Incorporate some form of physical activity into your day. Exercise can promote better sleep, but try to avoid vigorous workouts close to bedtime.
Let There Be Light: Exposure to natural light in the morning can help reset your internal clock. Open your curtains or take a short walk outside as soon as you wake up.
Set an Alarm: Place your alarm. If you’re the type of person who hits snooze, move your alarm clock to the other side of the room so you have to get up.
Have a Strong Reason to Wake Up Early: Motivate yourself to get up early by scheduling a pleasant or important activity in the morning, like a hobby you enjoy or a significant task.
Use Sleep Trackers: Utilize a sleep tracker or a smart alarm to wake you up during the lightest phase of sleep, making it easier to get up.
Stay Hydrated: Drinking a glass of water right after waking up can help you feel more alert and kickstart your metabolism.
Plan Your Mornings: Have a clear idea of what you'll do after waking up. This could be a to-do list or a morning routine that you find enjoyable and motivating.
Mindset Matters: Remind yourself of the benefits of waking up early, and mentally prepare yourself the night before for the early start.
Reward Progress: Acknowledge and celebrate your progress in becoming an early riser. This could be as simple as a cup of your favorite coffee or time for a personal activity in the morning.
Embracing A New Dawn
As I reflect on my journey from a night owl to an early bird, I realize that this transition was more than just changing my sleep pattern; it was a complete transformation of my lifestyle and mindset. The decision to start waking up earlier was initially a practical choice to manage my burgeoning workload. However, it evolved into a journey of self-discovery and personal fulfillment. I learned how to organize my life around what matters most to me.
The most profound lesson I learned through this process is the power of intentional living. By reshaping my mornings, I didn't just find extra hours in the day; I discovered a newfound appreciation for life's quieter moments. Those peaceful morning hours, once a struggle to face, became my sanctuary for creativity, reflection, and tranquility.
This change also taught me about resilience and adaptability. Life's transitions, whether they're career changes or global crises, can be daunting. Yet, they also present us with unique opportunities to reassess our habits and priorities. For me, the forced pause of the pandemic was a catalyst for re-evaluating my life's rhythm and the choices that govern it.
To those contemplating a similar change, remember that transformation is a journey, not an overnight leap. It's about finding what works for you, whether it's a gradual shift in your sleep schedule, creating a morning ritual, or simply allowing yourself to enjoy the serenity of dawn. The key is to approach this change with patience, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment.
Ultimately, becoming an early bird didn't just improve my productivity; it enriched my life in ways I never anticipated. It allowed me to cultivate a more balanced, healthier lifestyle, to grow my business, and to embrace the joys of travel and leisure. This journey has taught me that each morning is not just a start to another day but an invitation to a new adventure and a chance to live life on my own terms.
So, as you embark on your own journey from night owl to early bird, I encourage you to see it not just as a challenge to conquer, but as an opportunity to reimagine and reinvigorate your life. Here's to waking up not just earlier, but to waking up to a world of new possibilities and joys. Welcome to your new dawn.