Scenario One
Yesterday, I woke up at 5:43 am because my shoulder was bugging me. Instead of going back to bed, I stayed awake, prayed, blogged, and tidied the house. By the time my family was awake I was full of energy and ready to go.
I felt great. Motivated. Energized.
Even though my sleep was less.
Scenario Two
Today, I woke up at 7:14 am because I wanted to sleep in. Instead of getting up, I tried to squeeze those last minutes of sleep out me. By the time my family woke me up (namely Samuel) I was feeling already behind.
Anxious. Feeling behind. Tired.
Even though my sleep was more.
You would think that I would want to follow scenario one. Yet, I quickly fall prey to the idea, the comfort, of sleeping in. Yet, that 90 minutes extra transforms my day. I think it’s because I’m able to fill my cup — and then I have energy to fill my family’s cups. Otherwise, it’s this great competition of self.
It’s interesting to read that other blogging mommas have the same goal. I wrote this post this morning, but waited to publish till after lunch. When I came back to blogger (during one of those scheduled break times), I saw that Mandy — from the blog From the Trenches of Motherhood — has rising early as her goal as well. I think I see a theme…..
So, tomorrow, I’m going to try to get up at 6am. We’ll see what happens — I’m pretty sure my day will follow scenario one.
How about you? Do you find a difference to your day depending on the time you wake up?
21 comments
I agree! I am much more productive and happy if I get up at 5am, allow myself TIME to drink my coffee (instead of just chugging it as I get ready for work! :), maybe check my Facebook and just have some “me” time. As opposed to getting up as late as I possibly can (about 5:45am) and then this is usually how my day starts…rush, rush, rush, panic, lose temper over something silly, rush some more, etc. You get the picture! 🙂 Although it’s only about 45 minutes, it makes a world of difference! I actually think I’ll set my alarm for 5am tomorrow! 🙂
Thank you for the reminder! 🙂
It’s so hard to get up early! But, I agree, it’s so nice to get things done without worry and distractions in the morning too. Now if Kaia would just go to bed before midnight . . .
I completely understand!! Even a few extra minutes of quiet & GOD in the morning are amazing!
Jessica
Absolutely! I love getting that few extra minutes in the a.m. while the house is quiet and I can gather my thoughts for the day. True, curling up under those blankets is tempting and sometimes the temptation wins. Then I live with regret all day. One super solution for me is to tag a few extra minutes under the blankets on the OTHER end of sleep time…I go to bed a few minutes earlier whenever possible. It’s much easier to do during the winter months and it works. 🙂
SO true!! The extra time of sleep is detrimental and RUINS the rest of my day – case in point the miserable Tuesday I just had after falling back asleep. I was late to EVERYthing!
I am getting up tomorrow, too – you are right – it is so not worth it!
Awe, thanks Rachel! Love your post! I notice a huge difference in my day when I get up early vs. sleeping in. I kid not when I say I get about twice the amount done. So…why is it so hard for me to get up early when I know how much better I feel when I do?!
Amazing little concept isn’t it? I always would prefer to sleep in…but I feel the same way you did.
I won’t have an option for quite some time…but I will need to remember this when the time comes and I DO again have the choice. Thanks Rachel!
I like to sleep in too, but love my quiet time in the morning before anyone else is up 🙂
“Otherwise, it’s this great competition of self.” Oh, you hit the nail on the head there- that’s so true, though I don’t know if I’ve ever thought about it like that… but, yes, when I’m not filled up then I’m battling to get filled up while at the very same time attempting to fill the cups of my family, and there isn’t enough, and, oh, yep, you nailed it. Such a good reason to work on those earlier mornings!
I am a morning person and I love 4:30 and 5 a.m. My only problem is when I get up it seems that not long I hear, hey hon good morning or morning mom. :S
If I do sleep in I can be kind of grumpy because it seems like half the day is gone and my quiet time with Jesus just doesn’t exist. So my solution is to try and be as super quiet as I can be so the light sleepers in the home don’t hear me pitter patter around or if I manage to get out the door without waking the dogs, then I can go for a prayer filled run.
Thanks for this encouraging post and I will pray that you can wake up and have some God time. 🙂
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The same thing happened to me the other day. When I just got up and didn’t hit snooze I didn’t feel rushed and I was awake and more productive. But then today I’ve been dragging. You might be onto something. I’ll be thinking of you as I wake up at 6…my goal is 5:30. And that time is so quiet to say hello to God and be filled up with Him. Great way to start the day.
I think my attitude/mood depends less on what time I wake up and more on what happens when I do… which is… (regardless of time) my children wake up and turn into 2 little howling tornadoes running around the house. That’s no exaggeration either. I started getting up earlier than them about a year ago, in order to spend quiet time alone, and after 2 days of it, I guess my littlest munchkin figured it out b/c he started waking up at the same time. 🙁 I’m interested to see how this changes things for you though, and… well, I’m not going to promise anything 🙂 Good luck!
I have done that more times than I can count, and my new years resolution is to make sure I have my time with God in the morning, so glad I am not the only one : )
yes! you are so right! I often REALLY want to sleep in, but when I’m up before the sun and have time to pray and have a cup of tea with Jesus, the day is just wonderful. Thanks for the inspiration!
Rachel, I have always gotten up early, even now. I started the habit when the children were young and then just stuck with it. I get up at 5:30, have my coffee and quiet time with the Lord, then shower and get ready and find that I am so much more productive when I begin my day early. Wishing you the best as you begin your “early morning wake up.”
I know you’ll adjust quickly and will never miss the extra sleep.
Blessings to you!
Yes, such a big difference when I get up early! I usually get up at 6:00, so I have an hour or so to get dressed, have my cup of coffee, read some blogs, and just prepare for the day in solitude. Sleeping in actually causes more stress, as I’m unprepared for the day. It is hard to get up early sometimes, though. Especially in the winter when it’s still so dark outside.
this is the thing i’ve struggled most with since becoming a mom. i always know that if i wake up and ready myself – my mind, my heart, my house – before the kids are awake, my day and theirs will be much better. just this morning my alarm was set for way early to do this. but then, sage had a bad night, is sick and was up a lot so i slept in as long as possible. i so badly want to be consistent and wake-up early! we can do it together!!! cheers to scenario one!
First time commenter here which is insane because I absolutely love following your blog. I actually take time to read yours through and through vs. scroll through quickly.
Thank you for the no frills and realness. I so appreciate you and what you share for me to chew on.
Regarding this post, my husband and I had a business date (it is about as romantic as it sounds) and one of the things we determined was we aren’t doing well in the area of rest/margin or exercising and to focus our energies there and let other things fall into place. We desire to rise a good hour before we need to be getting ready for the day, we were all ready and then our 20 mo old came down with (potential, still waiting for tests) whooping cough…which means sleepless nights…which means no extra hour. Next week is a new week though!
Thanks again!
My alarm goes off about 6:45a and I jump in the shower then get my kiddos ready for school. Sometimes I long to be at home with them. It would be wonderful for me not to have to rush anywhere. I have a goal to get up earlier, for quiet time, before I dive into the day. Just hasn’t happened. 6:00a comes so early!
I am currently jobless, and I am not a wife or a mom… but I do notice a difference when I wake up early. Like right now, I’ve been awake for an hour and I was able to brush teeth, sing, pray, and make myself a lovely cheesy omelet. I expect to do much more today. Every time I sleep in (and sleeping in for me can be anywhere from 8:30am – 11am 🙂 I feel like my day is gone. I really desire to establish an early wake up time because I am preparing for marriage. Thank you for this post, it is certainly confirmation. Blessings beautiful!
-Nat
getting up early so that i can concentrate on worship with my kids is a must…there are usually less arguments too…awesome post my dear..xxx