For as long as I can remember I have never been able to sleep in. Whether I decide to go to sleep at 10PM on a weeknight or 2AM on a weekend, my body always seems to jolt me awake before 8AM. And for as long as I can remember, I have hated this trait. I was never sure if this made me a morning person or just a person who can’t seem to stay asleep; I certainly don’t enjoy waking up before 8AM after sleeping for less than five hours, so I wouldn’t go as far as to say that I enjoy mornings. However, as I forced myself to head into my seventh quarter with a positive attitude, I reevaluated my psyche with the intention of finding positivity in what I deemed to be the most negative aspects of my life, and this sleeping problem happened to be one of them.
As my eyes opened every day at (what felt like) the crack of dawn, I consciously decided that I could use this attribute to my advantage. Although I know that there are times when I need more rest because I feel drained or exhausted, I have begun to find solace in my daily accomplishments. Using this “curse” to further personal gain, I would immediately get up and then make my bed. This has never been one of my favorite activities, but I have found that nothing makes me feel more accomplished than completing a task less than five minutes after waking up. This, followed by a quick shower, makes me feel 100% confident with tackling the day’s activities and responsibilities. I never thought that accomplishing such menial tasks would improve my morning mood exponentially, and the more I continue this routine, the more productive I have become. I have even found that it has become easier for me to finish homework assignments and study in the morning before work and class, as opposed to the norm of studying at night, because in the mornings I have a more clear headspace, making finishing tasks easier. So although I thought this inability to sleep was going to haunt me forever, I have been able to create a routine where I feel a bit more accomplished before 10AM. It helps clear my mind, especially when school has me feeling particularly stressed.