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If you had told me a few years ago that I would be waking up consistently, during the week, at 5 AM, I would’ve thought you were crazy!

How could I be waking up that early??

Well I’ve been doing it Monday- Friday since the beginning of 2024. Actually, a few days before that but it’s easiest to count from 1/1.

With having such a busy schedule between work, my little guy, my husband, and keeping up on day-to-day tasks, I felt like I would run out of time during the day.

I love spending time with my family and doing things together. Once my little guy would go to bed, I’d spend time with my husband, even if all we do is sit on the couch next to each other. Just being in his presence is calming to me and brings joy.

I felt like I didn’t have time to get to stuff or have the motivation, to do more at night like this blog, read, or exercise.

Just Not Enough Time in the Day

When I realized that after a long day, the last thing I wanted to do was exercise, I knew I needed to change my thinking and figure out how to get some extra time in my day that wouldn’t take time away from my family.

My smart watch keeps track of my exercise and I have it set for 30 minutes of exercise a day. I barely met 15 minutes most days and that was from playing and doing things together.

Now, I want to be around for a long time to enjoy my life with my husband and little guy. I needed to start being more disciplined and motivated!

Decision Made!

I was going to start waking up earlier to fit in my workout, journaling, reading.

I got the viral stair stepper for Christmas and that was when I decided to start! I would wake up at 5:30 and do 20 minutes on the stepper then I’d have 15 minutes to read or journal.

I quickly learned that I didn’t have enough time to get ready, eat, and get myself and my little guy out the door by 7:15. We were just too rushed.

So, 5 AM was my new wake-up. And it was exactly what I needed.

Here I am writing this blog while my house is still asleep and I’ve finished my workout for the morning.

Here i am writing this blog while my house is still asleep and I’ve already finished my workout for the morning.

I prep what I can for the morning the night before. I set out work clothes and my workout clothes, lunches made and breakfast prepped as much as it can be. That way when I wake up, I can change quickly and get onto my workout. I go for a 30 minute walk most days around our neighborhood when the weather is nice. If it’s not so nice out, there’s yoga, the stair stepper, or a YouTube video I can do.

I’ll journal and read a book, that’s not for pleasure. I mean, all books should be for pleasure but I wanted to set specific time aside to read books on self-help, menstrual cycles, organizing, or health topics. I have that undistracted time now.

Balancing Acts to Get It All In

I know I’ve grown just from having that extra time in the morning. Now with waking up at 5 also comes the bedtime. If I plan to wake up at 5 then I know I need to be asleep by 10:30 and most nights that isn’t difficult. I still get a good 6.5-7 hours of sleep if I am in bed by 10. I like my sleep so I make sure to plan for it!

I do give myself a reprieve on the weekends and sleep in. We are typically busy on the weekends so it’s a little joy I give myself. Sleeping in now means anytime after 5. If I can sleep until 6 or 6:30 then I call that a win!

I find myself looking forward to the 5 AM alarm because I know I’ll feel good after my morning movement. It helps me wake up and helps my mind focus. There are still rough days to get out of bed but I know I’ll feel better once I’m up!

Now you could be other end where you love to stay up late and then you would have your time there as well. My husband is a night owl and I’m a morning person. We each get alone time because he stays up later than I do.

Do you think a morning routine would help you?

If you are finding yourself with a feeling of not exploring certain areas of interest or feel as if you are running out of time then I would suggest thinking about starting a morning routine. It can help you focus on certain aspects of your life, mental health, or physical health without taking time away from your day. You may need to do a trial and error and figure out what will work best for you! Best of Luck! Leave a comment with what helps you with a morning routine.

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