It’s true. I want to be the kind of person who gets up and feels rested and connected before starting the day. The difficult thing is that they also have connotations of being no fun at night because they…well, they go to bed at a regular time. That translates into being boring, no fun, “old” and all of those other things I don’t want to be.
So, I’m trying to think about what it means to be a “morning person.” Do I have to be perky? I think being alert is good but being overly chipper is just irritating. I remember that I used to get frustrated because my dad would wake up at like 5:30 (crazy I know) in the morning and get more done before noon than most people did in two days. He’d wake me up by whistling as he assembled shot gun shells or cleaned his gun or made some kind of delicious marinated venison.
But, now that I’m older, I find that the mornings are perhaps the only time a person can get a little peace. It’s also good to make a good start on the day. But, then, what if I start to eat a healthy breakfast!?! I CAN’T DO THAT!!! It would be admitting defeat to being young and caffeinated. I don’t know. I have to figure out some compromises.
Here’s what I’m thinking so far for my change:
1. Go to bed around 10:00 p.m. Get up around 6:00 a.m. (Challenging. Not the going to bed part, that I can do easy. It’s the getting up part that’s hard.)
2. Drink more coffee. I know, I already drink more than human beings should, but it’s something good to look forward to in the morning and gives a little boost.
3. Find alternative to a healthy breakfast.
4. After this daylight savings hoo-haw changes back to normal, take Henson on long, refreshing morning walks. It’s good for both of us!
5. Kick people who pressure me to stay up too late (except on special occasions).
Steph Lewis's Blog
“He’d wake me up by whistling as he assembled shot gun shells or cleaned his gun…”
Now there’s an image! I just pictured the episode of the Simpsons where Marge goes to work at the power plant and Burns tries to seduce her (guest starring Tom Jones!)–the scene where Marge has recommended funny hat day and playing peppy music, they show a guy sitting at his desk in a goofy hat polishing his shotgun.
The Simpsons… is there anything they don’t relate to?
The answer to Kevin’s question is clearly “no,” and that makes me smile.
Man, I’m going to be getting a lot of kicks.
#3 in your list is my favorite. That’s hilarious.
One question: what do you do when you have to stay up past 10pm? There are certainly occasions where staying up past 10pm is totally necessary (think of all the times we’ve been invited to dinner at someone’s house, and the dinner started at or after 8pm!). How will you recover from late nights? I think if you get a system in place that allows a little flexibility it’ll work. If you’re inflexible on the 10pm thing, it won’t work.
Are you saying that my dad wears a goofy hat? Cuz if you are….
Steph… why do you NEED to be a morning person? Some people are, and some aren’t… it’s just that simple. Yes, I’m a bit tired and draggy in the morning, but I stay up later and do more than people who are asleep at 11 PM or earlier. To my mind, I get more work done that late at night than any other time, in all honest (BECAUSE everyone is asleep, etc.).
Don’t be a morning person because it worked for your Dad. Find your good working conditions, and go for that. Heh, not to mention the fact that your husband doesn’t exactly go to bed at 10 every night either… that might make it a bit tougher.
Wise words from a wise man. So wise.
LOL. *bows* I’ll pretend you truly do mean that… and that you’re not just supporting me because my advice includes you.