Day 3: ( If this is your first time here, you might want to read the following first: Night Owl vs. Early Bird Part 1)
Hey! Today was a success! I went to bed by 11:00 last night and woke up at 6:15 this morning, which I’m proud to say, was BEFORE my alarm went off! Today was easier than yesterday, although I know that will not always be the case. I threw on my work out clothes and headed out the door before the sun was peeking over the mountain. It felt good to greet the day head on before the rest of my part of the world is awake.
My kids are still asleep and I hope it stays that way for as long as possible. You see, some moms like to keep a schedule and get their kids up at a specific time each morning. That may be the case during the school year, but during the summer, I’m the kind of mom that puts up black out curtains so my kids will sleep AS LONG AS POSSIBLE!
I’m not gonna lie, I’m really liking this having “me” time before the kids are at my throat with all their demands. I mean, you’d think that it wouldn’t matter either way whether I got this time late at night or early in the morning.
BUT IT DOES!
I was even motivated to make this beautiful healthy breakfast this morning!
Ok, Early Bird is definitely ahead of the game today!
Day 4:
Another successful day! I actually fell asleep by 10 last night (miraculous!) and woke up before my alarm again this morning at 6. It helps that it’s summer and the light is peeking through my window. I am dreading when winter comes! Maybe if I have the habit down good by then, I will be able to persevere! Seriously, I really didn’t thing that there was enough value in waking up this early to truly convert me to being an early bird and getting my lazy butt out of bed before my kids. I was mistaken! Seriously! Maybe it’s because I’ve finally reached that time in my life where getting a head start and experiencing peace early in the day trumps sleeping in. Maybe it’s because my life is so jam-packed with stuff to do each day, that getting up early and being more productive is just essential. Here’s the magical question:
IS there truth to the famous quote by Benjamin Franklin, “Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise?”
I’m here to tell you YES!
This week has been immensely better for me than the rest of my summer. I have been more patient with my kids even though they have still been little monsters, I have gotten SO much more done in my days, and my thoughts have been more clear and my foggy mommy brain has lessened. I know there are scientific studies of why it’s healthier to be an early riser but I haven’t read them. All I have is my experience so far, but it’s been good.
Yesterday I exercised, showered, wrote a blog post, cleaned my house, and read with my daughter all before NOON? That’s just mind-boggling for someone who is usually just deciding to change out of pajamas by that time! Here’s the other great thing. Because I got all of that done early in the day, I felt more relaxed with my kids and was more willing to spend time with them. I usually blog at night so I’m in a hurry to get kids to bed so I have “my time” and even then I’m still hollering at them for an hour after because they are getting OUT of bed! Last night, we all snuggled up together in my bed and read books and it was FUN because I wasn’t in a hurry. Afterwards, we just all went to bed. It just WORKED!
Today, Saturday, and Sunday will be my true test as those are the days I like to sleep in the most and stay up late. I know, though, that if I want to stick to this and not have to start over again each week, I need to be consistent. I will update you one final time on Monday with how I ended my first week of Night Owl vs. Early Bird. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a beautiful day to take advantage of!!
Read part 4 here:
How to Wake up BEFORE Your Kids (and Why it will Change Your Life!)