I Wake Up At 5am No Excuses
I used to say that I “could NEVER wake up before 6am!”. I had tried it here and there over the years and it never stuck. Now 5am-9am is my sacred time Monday - Friday. I would not change it for the world and I operate similarly even on vacations and the weekends…
In 2019 I officially got sick and tired of my lifestyle. I was riddled with stress (most of my stress was directly from my relationship with being a small business owner). I woke up most days feeling directionless, kind of sick and honestly I didn’t have many elements of wellness in my life. I rarely got to do the things I wanted to do like workout, read or sit still. I drank booze most days and smoked cigs more often than not. I was feeling the pressure to change and didn’t know how to…and then I came across a quote from Jim Rohn:
"If you don't like it, change it; you're not a tree”
I thought…well shit. This quote is talking to me directly. I started small with getting back to yoga regularly, walking often and journaling most days. Small changes that slowly (very slowly) led to change.
I was working on staying consistent but I wasn’t quite there yet…
In 2021 I joined a gym. I fell in love with the gym and the friends I made there and eventually ended up attending the 5:45am class because I really like being around morning people (there is something different about us morning people haha). I get up at 5am in order to be there on time. I set one alarm at 4:45am and one at 5am. People often ask me when I go to sleep- I am usually asleep by 9:30pm and usually not later than 10pm.
Something magical happened once the 5:45am workout class became part of my normal life. I have noticed these things:
No one needs me, cares where I am or even knows where I was…at 5am I am completely free from all expectations except for my own.
Hardly anyone in the world is awake that early and it is cool to be one of the few.
The streets are literally quieter and slower and my mind is quieter and slower.
I have more time to get grounded before the day starts. I tend to be pretty reactive and wild naturally - starting early keeps my feet on the ground and helps my nervous system.
I have time to journal and read after the gym and because I have already “moved” I am able to focus much better.
I have time to listen to podcasts or music that set me up well for the day.
Most importantly - the salons are not open so there is a deep peace in my mind that is so important for me to have each day.
Nothing can get in the way except for myself and my discipline. If my “sacred time” were in the evening, so many variables could happen to rob me of it.
Do I always want to get up? No of course not! About 50% of the time I really struggle getting up. I remind myself of that feeling when I walk out of the gym - it is the feeling of accomplishment and that is a baller way to start a day.
Do I ever decide to stay in bed? Yes of course! Some days I have a migraine or I do actually have to work instead. I like to think of my “sacred time” as my baseline - I need this to be my reality 80-90% of the time. I do miss it sometimes but I try to not miss twice in a row (even on vacation!).
When I don’t get this time in the morning, I usually struggle more than when I do. My anxiety and self-doubt is higher when I miss my morning movement and ritual. I believe that taking time for movement and time to be mindful each day will change your life.
Everyone is different and every life is different. You may like evenings more than mornings or you may have less flexible time in your days. Whatever your reality is…find that sliver of time that is for you to get your feet on the ground 🙂
You owe it to YOU, your team and your family 🙂 I promise you will never regret building this into your life.
So much love,
Melanie
xxoo