Becoming a morning person sounds like a noble quest, doesn’t it? The internet brims with motivational gurus chirping about the magic of waking up at dawn: more energy, sharper focus, glowing skin (okay, maybe not that last one, but you get the idea). Seduced by promises of life-changing habits, I set out to conquer the mornings. Spoiler: mornings won.
The Grand Plan
I began with lofty ambitions. My new morning routine was supposed to look like this: wake up at 5:30 AM, meditate for 10 minutes, exercise for 30, and then enjoy a leisurely breakfast while writing down my daily goals.
Somewhere in this utopian vision, I also imagined reading novels online. Yes, I had a desire to read free novels online and I even managed to find time for it, but too rarely. Fortunately, my romantic stories online FictionMe are always with me.
I could read novels online in transport or during my lunch break. It was always important for me to have novels at hand, so they were at the heart of my plan. Especially since there are so many free novels online now.
What actually happened? I spent 15 minutes arguing with my alarm clock, 30 minutes staring at my ceiling, and another 20 regretting every life choice that led me to this masochistic experiment.
The First Attempt
The inaugural morning kicked off with enthusiasm. I’d gone to bed early, set out my workout clothes, and even prepped a smoothie in the fridge. The alarm buzzed. I sat up, ready to embrace my new identity.
And then…I laid back down. “Five more minutes,” I whispered. Those five minutes turned into 45, and by the time I rolled out of bed, I was late for work. So much for a fresh start.
But I wasn’t ready to give up. Determined to succeed, I scoured the internet for tips. Did you know that 44% of adults believe waking up early makes them more productive? I decided to be one of them, even if it killed me (which it felt like it might).
Science Says Mornings Are Great—For Other People
Studies suggest that morning people are generally happier and healthier. A survey of 1,000 adults revealed that early risers are 10% more likely to describe their mental health as “excellent” compared to night owls. Meanwhile, I was sobbing into my cereal by 8:45 AM. Clearly, these statistics didn’t apply to me.
Here’s a fun fact: your chronotype, or natural body clock, plays a huge role in whether you’re a morning person. Some people are biologically wired to thrive at sunrise. Others, like me, were designed to peak around 10 PM with snacks and Netflix.
Mornings: A Comedy of Errors
Every morning became a battle against my instincts. Once, I tried exercising right after waking up, only to trip over my own feet and sprain my ego. I also repeatedly launched the FictionMe App and fell asleep while reading. Another time, I brewed coffee with salt instead of sugar. (Pro tip: salty coffee does not wake you up—it just ruins your day.)
My favorite fail? Attempting to journal my thoughts at 6 AM. The result: “Today is… ugh. Why is the sun so bright? Who invented mornings?” Truly Pulitzer-worthy prose.
Why Does This Work for Other People?
Here’s the thing: Instagram influencers make it look easy. They post serene selfies with captions like, “5 AM meditation = inner peace 🌞✨.” Meanwhile, I’m over here calculating how many naps I’ll need to recover from waking up before 7.
I even tried copying famous morning routines. Tim Cook starts his day at 3:45 AM to answer emails. Michelle Obama wakes up at 4:30 to work out. Me? I woke up at 5:30, spent 20 minutes debating whether to shower, and then cried into my lukewarm coffee.
The Great Realization
After two weeks of this madness, I had an epiphany: I don’t need to be a morning person. Why? Because my most creative ideas come at night. Some of history’s greatest minds were night owls. Franz Kafka wrote The Metamorphosis between midnight and 3 AM.
Winston Churchill famously worked until the wee hours, taking mid-day naps to recharge. If they could thrive as night owls, why couldn’t I?
Plus, a 2019 study revealed that night owls can be just as productive as early birds—provided they embrace their natural rhythms. That was my permission slip to quit this nonsense.
The Final Verdict
Becoming a morning person isn’t for everyone. If waking up at dawn makes you feel like a zombie, don’t force it. Find a routine that works for you. For me, that means sleeping in until 8, enjoying a leisurely coffee, and tackling my to-do list when my brain is fully operational.
So, no, I didn’t become a morning person. But I did learn something important: life is too short to cry before 9 AM. Save the tears for later—preferably after your second cup of coffee.
