If you’ve spent any time on social media, you’ve probably stumbled upon countless 5 or 6 a.m.
morning routines. They often include early morning workouts, elaborate, balanced breakfasts,
journaling, and getting a head start on assignments before dawn. These documented routines
have become a symbol of productivity. We’re always hearing about successful people waking up
at the crack of dawn, as though the secret to success lies in starting your day before the sun
comes up.
What about those of us who feel a surge of productivity after sunset? Or those who feel most
motivated late at night, when the rest of the world is winding down? Not everyone feels their
most focused and energized when they first wake up, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Some
prefer earlier mornings, while others become more alert as the day progresses.
There’s obviously nothing wrong with being a morning person. But why should waking up at 6
a.m. automatically be considered more productive than waking up at 9? If both people get the
same amount of sleep and accomplish the same amount of work throughout their days, just on
different schedules, is one really more disciplined than the other? Social media has made us
assume that a seemingly perfect morning schedule is more effective than a less aesthetically
pleasing one that happens later in the day.
Granted, there are certain benefits to getting an earlier start. Some activities are more
convenient, or even safer, during daylight hours, like going for a run outside. Other
responsibilities, like attending classes, running errands, or going to appointments, depend on
schedules that aren’t necessarily within our control. But these things rarely require waking up
before sunrise. Personally, I have always felt more productive at night, whether it’s getting
ahead on assignments or cleaning my room. It’s the time I have to myself, when everything feels
still, others are winding down or asleep, and I can fully concentrate without feeling rushed or
distracted. I can go to bed feeling like I’ve accomplished everything I wanted to, rather than
having to wait until the morning. Then, I can enjoy a slower start to my day, when the first thing I
have to worry about is my coffee.
Maybe instead of trying to recreate someone else’s ideal morning, we should pay more attention
to what actually works for us. Just because a particular routine works for many doesn’t mean it
will work for everyone. After all, it’s not the time of day that makes a routine productive, but what
you actually accomplish. If you find yourself struggling to focus in the morning but are able to
get through assignments effortlessly in the evening, why force yourself into a schedule that
doesn’t suit you? Of course, this doesn’t mean sacrificing sleep or neglecting responsibilities.
Getting enough rest and maintaining a schedule that works with your body and commitments
are still important.
Ultimately, being a morning person isn’t a prerequisite for being disciplined or successful.
There’s nothing wrong with preferring to spend your morning getting ready at your own pace
and enjoying your coffee. And if your best work happens at 10 p.m., there’s nothing wrong with
that either. Maybe instead of making it our goal to become morning people, we should focus on
finding routines that allow us to make the most of our time, whenever our days happen to start.