Chapter 1: The Early Rise

Is the 5AM club truly as beneficial as people claim?

In this post, I outline my ambitious plan leading up to my birthday, which involves tackling a series of one-week micro challenges aimed at boosting my self-discipline. The first challenge? Rising at 5AM every day.

Day One

When my alarm rang at 5AM, I was momentarily disoriented, having forgotten my mission. The darkness outside did not help my urge to hit snooze, yet I resisted! I got up, dressed, and embarked on a one-mile run as I also kicked off my "marathon month." Upon returning, I felt awake and energized, with plenty of time before needing to wake my daughters and officially start the day.

As I documented my morning in my journal, I was surprised by how much I accomplished: watering my garden, showering, following my skincare routine, preparing my "health water," reading, and enjoying breakfast—all without toddler interruptions.

Though I worried the early wake-up would drain my energy, I experienced a productive day. Even after putting the kids to bed, I was motivated to tackle more tasks, including cleaning the dishes and planning my friend's bachelorette party.

Days Two & Three

The second day was easier; I woke up on time, skipped snooze, and went for a run. My energy levels remained high throughout the day, and I felt motivated and productive. However, by day three, a cold that had been spreading through the house caught up with me. Although I still woke at 5AM, I opted against running to avoid worsening my illness. This decision resulted in a slightly more challenging morning.

Despite not feeling my best, I managed to maintain a good mood and productivity for the rest of the day.

Day Four

On the fourth day, I regrettably did not wake at 5AM. When my alarm went off, I battled with myself, hesitant to break my streak. Ultimately, I decided to stay in bed, primarily because I was feeling quite ill. Additionally, one of my daughters had a restless night, which made getting up more complicated.

Historically, I’ve let my daughter's presence in my bed serve as an excuse to stay asleep, telling myself that waking up would disturb her. I wonder if I could have gotten up had I not been sick.

Day Five

I felt a bit anxious about day five. Typically, I would have used yesterday's slip as justification to abandon the challenge. But I realized that I was in control of my choices. I told myself, “I will wake up at 5AM tomorrow,” shifting my mindset.

This realization was a turning point for me. I didn't have to view my journey as all-or-nothing. Even if I only succeeded six out of seven days, that was still an improvement. On this particular morning, my other daughter woke up right as my alarm went off, and I offered to take her for a walk. Instead of feeling frustrated, I cherished our quiet time together.

Days Six & Seven

Day six mirrored previous days: I woke up at 5AM, went for my walk, and enjoyed a successful day, though my motivation began to wane. Today is day seven, and while I struggled a bit with wakefulness, I appreciated the extra time I had before the usual morning rush to get the kids ready for soccer.

The Results

Research supports the benefits of waking up early, including increased confidence, reduced cortisol levels, improved happiness, and better eating habits. There are differing opinions on whether the 5AM club is genuinely beneficial, but here’s what I observed:

Overall, my mood and patience improved. I experienced fewer toddler tantrums and managed my to-do lists effectively. It's important to note that I also started adding Apothekary's Rosé Tinted Glasses tincture to my morning routine, which could have contributed to my uplifted mood.

While my productivity surged this week, it’s hard to determine if it was solely due to waking up early. Perhaps it was the satisfaction of honoring my commitment to myself. A longer-term commitment to rising at 5AM would provide a clearer picture of its lasting effects.

Interestingly, my week felt slightly longer. Usually, time flies by, but this time I woke up and thought, “It’s only Friday,” rather than the usual, “It’s already Friday.”

In Conclusion

Is 5AM truly the magic hour? Evidence suggests it may be, but I believe it’s more about the morning routine itself. I cherish the tranquility of early mornings, the soft light, and the calmness that envelops the air. Most importantly, I appreciated the time to focus on myself before diving into the day’s responsibilities.

While I can't definitively say that waking up at 5AM is the key to a better life, it is the latest I can rise if I want some personal time before my children wake up. I plan to continue this habit as I explore more micro-challenges, as it provides me with the time to accomplish my goals without excuses.

Next up: a week dedicated to stretching daily. For updates on my journey toward my next birthday, consider subscribing!

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Join Jocko Willink as he shares practical tips on how to cultivate the habit of waking up early.