Breaking Free from the Snooze: My Path to Becoming an Early Riser
For as long as I can remember, getting up early has been a struggle for me. I’ve clung to beliefs that seemed immutable:
I am not a morning person.
I can’t push through the discomfort of waking up early.
Getting enough sleep is more important than disrupting my habits.
This is just how I am, and I can’t change.
But deep down, I knew that waking up early would suit my lifestyle and goals far better. I truly believe in carving out personal time in the morning before diving into the chaos of the day. My old morning routine left me stressed, dissatisfied, and disconnected. Worse, I felt like I was failing myself, lacking discipline, and perpetually frustrated.
This inner turmoil triggered feelings of laziness and self-doubt that I could no longer tolerate. The habit I so badly wanted to conquer was becoming a source of shame.
The Turning Point: Bali and a Mindset Shift
A few years ago, I experienced something extraordinary during a trip to Bali. For two weeks, I went to bed early and woke up before 6 a.m. every single day. It was effortless, and I felt incredible. Those two weeks were among the best of my life. That experience planted a seed: maybe I could change if I approached mornings differently.
I realized that I needed a compelling reason to wake up early—something exciting enough to make getting out of bed worthwhile. Instead of focusing on the discomfort of rising early, I needed to shift my mindset and genuinely want to start my day.
As the saying goes, “When you’re tired of your own excuses, you change.” Here’s what finally clicked for me:
My ‘why’ wasn’t compelling enough. I needed to find a way to make early mornings feel good.
I had internalized the identity of “not being a morning person.”
I was avoiding temporary discomfort for long-term gain. I knew I could get enough sleep by simply going to bed earlier.
I doubted my ability to change, despite having conquered other challenging habits in the past.
The Real Challenge: Going to Bed Early
Waking up early isn’t my biggest obstacle—going to bed early is. Here’s why:
I feel like I haven’t done enough during the day and try to squeeze in more work at night.
I thrive under the nighttime pressure to finish tasks, often relying on late-night hours for my best work.
After working late, I crave a transition period with yoga or a bath, which pushes my bedtime even later.
I've been grappling with the fear that sleeping less than 7-8 hours will harm my immune system, lead to burnout, and make me sick. This fear stems from a very real past experience, but the solution is clear: going to bed earlier.
While these reasons are valid, they’ve held me back. I’m finally ready to face the discomfort and prioritize change.
Building New Habits: What’s Working
Here’s what I’ve implemented so far, and it’s making a difference:
Start the Day with Joy: Instead of waking up to exercise, I begin my day with something relaxing and enjoyable, like soaking in the bath while listening to an audiobook. This shift has been a game-changer.
Move the Alarm: Placing my phone across the room forces me to physically get out of bed. In those first five seconds, my brain becomes more logical, making it easier to resist crawling back into bed. Research supports this: hitting snooze disrupts your sleep cycle and worsens grogginess. Staying up ensures a smoother transition into wakefulness.
Communicate and Set Boundaries: I’ve explained to my partner how important this habit is to me. Saying no to another episode of TV or going to bed earlier than them has been challenging, but honesty and communication are key.
Find Accountability: I signed up to guide morning sessions at a local contrast therapy spa (Tality Mt.Pleasant). Knowing people are relying on me to show up is the ultimate motivator.
Prime My Brain: Before bed, I tell myself what time I want to wake up. Surprisingly, this has worked well in combination with my other strategies. It’s a powerful reminder that what we tell ourselves matters.
What I’m Still Working On
Bedtime Consistency: I’ve gotten my bedtime down to 11-11:30 p.m., but I’m aiming for 10:30.
Breaking Nighttime Work Habits: Running my own business means there’s always more to do, but I’m learning to embrace the idea that rest fuels productivity.
Aligning with My Values: Sleep is foundational to everything I preach about wellness, and not getting enough feels misaligned. I’m working on accepting that short-term misalignment is part of long-term change.
Navigating Partner Differences: My partner stays up later, and while I’d love to go to bed at the same time, I’m learning to prioritize my needs.
Turning Off the TV: This remains a challenge, especially when the show is good, but I’m working on it.
Key Takeaways for You
Examine Your Mindset: Identify limiting beliefs and fears holding you back. Why do you want to wake up early, and what’s standing in your way?
Wake Up for Something You Love: Start your day with an activity you genuinely look forward to.
Find Accountability: Make plans that require you to get up early, like a yoga class or coffee date.
Move Your Alarm Out of Reach: Force yourself to get out of bed to turn it off.
Prime Your Mind: Tell yourself when you want to wake up. What you believe shapes what you do.
The Journey Ahead
I’m one week into this habit and far from perfect, but something feels different this time. I’m committed to the messy, uncomfortable process of change. This is my year to become a morning person. Scratch that—I am a morning person.
- Bryony