I’ve always been a night owl. In college, I’d stay up until 4AM every night for no particular reason, and then when I’ d have a paper due I’d stay up until sunrise to get it finished. Some would say this is a result of poor planning. I disagree; why not condense the month-long misery of an assignment about the Spanish Inquisition into a single night, right? Maybe not the best plan ever, but it got me pretty solid grades and a diploma, so there! After four years of all-nighters, this became my routine: staying up late for the hell of it, watching reruns of terrible shows at 2AM, setting my alarm for the last possible minute in the morning, and so on. Following graduation when I moved out to California my job required me to wake up at 5:30 every morning, and it nearly killed me. I’d wake up in a bad mood simply because I could never get myself to bed early enough to make a difference. Not a healthy environment.
When I moved to Atlanta and took the job with Sixthman (10AM start time!) I quickly reverted back to my old ways. I’d stay up too late, wake up too late, take a 2 minute shower, and then speed to work just to be in on time. About a month ago, I realized I wasn’t utilizing my time wisely, so as part of my Steve 2.0 plan (which is me trying to improve my life in all aspects), I decided to become a morning person. Here’s why:
- I never saw my roommates. When I’d wake up at 9, they’d already be gone for work, and then after work I’d go to the gym, cook dinner, and write a blog and they’d already be asleep.
- I’d spend hours at night by myself playing the occasional video game, watching Seinfeld re-runs, and hanging out with our cat Frisby (who is either the dumbest or most intelligent cat this side of the Mississippi. The jury is still out).
- I hated being rushed in the morning.
- The gym is ALWAYS overcrowded after work. Conversely, there is never anybody there in the morning.
On April 6, I set my alarm for 7:00AM…which came extremely quickly – I was beyond miserable and dead tired . However, once I got myself out of bed and dragged my butt to the gym I felt amazing. After about I week I noticed I was eating better, I had more energy, I could concentrate better in that first hour at work, and I was a generally much happier person. I now get to hang out with the roommates after work and I’ve even looked into some other activities to keep me off the streets and out of trouble (that’s a joke Mom). First on the list: singing lessons (sorry neighbors), followed by Capoeira – a mixed martial art that can be best described as break dance fighting. Yes, I’m serious.
All this extra time in the afternoon and mornings has me convinced that I made the right decision. I’ve been waking up early for four weeks now and I don’t see myself going back. I might let myself sleep in occasionally, like if I’m up late writing a Sixthman Blog last minute (like right now). Other than that, I’m seeing way too many benefits to go back to the old ways. Steve 2.0 here I come!
Are you a morning person or a night owl? Is it by choice or requirement? Ever tried to switch? Has it helped or hurt your life?
-Steve