Let’s be real—waking up at 5 AM sounds like torture, especially if you're not a morning person. I used to roll my eyes at those “rise and grind” people, convinced that waking up before sunrise wasn’t going to make me more successful.
But after hitting a major slump in my work and feeling burnt out, I decided to try something different. Just for 30 days. I committed to waking up at 5 AM every single day—no snoozing, no excuses.
Spoiler alert: It changed everything.
Why I Even Tried Waking Up at 5 AM in the First Place
It all started after watching a TED Talk by Robin Sharma, author of The 5 AM Club (source). He talks about how early rising can unlock your brain’s full potential and give you a head start while the rest of the world is asleep.
At first, I thought it was just motivational fluff. But something about his message stuck with me.
I figured, “What do I have to lose?” I was stuck in a rut anyway. So I gave myself a 30-day challenge.
The First Week Was Brutal (Let’s Be Honest)
I won’t sugarcoat it—the first week was rough. My body was in total shock. I felt like a zombie making coffee in the dark, wondering why I was even doing this.
Here’s what happened:
- Day 1: I got up on time but sat on the couch for 30 minutes staring at the wall.
- Day 2: I started journaling but fell asleep halfway through.
- Day 3: I accidentally took a 2-hour nap at noon.
But I didn’t give up. I adjusted my bedtime (in bed by 9:30 PM), prepped my mornings the night before, and made a loose morning routine. It wasn’t perfect, but it helped.
What My 5 AM Mornings Actually Looked Like
By the second week, my body began to adjust. Waking up early didn’t feel like punishment anymore. It started to feel... peaceful.
Here’s what I did most mornings:
1. Silence and Mindfulness (5:00–5:15 AM)
Instead of grabbing my phone, I just sat in silence with a cup of tea. Sometimes I meditated. Sometimes I just watched the sunrise. That 15 minutes became sacred.
2. Journaling and Gratitude (5:15–5:30 AM)
I used this time to journal 3 things I was grateful for and brain-dump any thoughts or worries. This helped clear my mind for the day.
3. Movement (5:30–6:00 AM)
Nothing crazy—just 20 minutes of stretching or yoga. If I had more energy, I’d go for a quick jog.
4. Learning (6:00–6:30 AM)
Instead of scrolling social media, I read or watched educational videos. I finally finished reading Atomic Habits by James Clear (link), and it completely changed how I approached routines.
The Benefits I Never Expected
Now let’s talk about what actually changed—because some of it seriously surprised me.
1. I Got More Done By Noon Than I Used to in a Whole Day
No joke. With zero distractions and fresh energy, I could knock out my hardest tasks early. By lunchtime, I felt accomplished instead of overwhelmed.
2. My Anxiety Levels Dropped
Turns out, starting your day with intention (instead of doomscrolling TikTok in bed) really does help with mental clarity. I felt more grounded, less anxious, and more in control.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, having a consistent morning routine can significantly improve mental well-being. Yup—they were right.
3. Better Sleep at Night
Because I wasn’t staying up until midnight binge-watching Netflix, I actually slept better. My sleep schedule became more consistent, and I started waking up naturally—even on weekends.
4. I Finally Had Time for Me
This might be the biggest one. That early morning window became my time—before the emails, the noise, the pressure. Just peace, reflection, and quiet productivity.
Common Myths About Waking Up Early (That I Totally Believed)
I believed a bunch of myths about early risers before I tried this. Let me clear a few up:
Myth #1: You have to be productive every second
Nope. Some mornings I just sat with coffee and stared out the window. And that still mattered. Not every moment has to be “optimized.”
Myth #2: You’ll feel energized from Day 1
Yeah… no. The first few days suck. Your body needs time to adapt. Give it at least a week.
Myth #3: You have to be a morning person
Honestly? I still don’t consider myself a “morning person.” I just became someone who values quiet mornings.
How You Can Start (Without Hating Your Life)
Want to try it without going full cold turkey? Here’s how to ease in:
- Go to bed earlier – Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep. Don’t just shift your wake-up time.
- Wake up 15 minutes earlier each day – Don’t jump from 8 AM to 5 AM. Gradual is better.
- Have a reason to get up – Plan something you actually enjoy in the morning. Journaling, stretching, coffee on the porch—whatever makes you feel calm.
- Prep the night before – Lay out clothes, prep breakfast, write your to-do list.
- Be kind to yourself – If you miss a day, it’s okay. This isn’t about perfection—it’s about intention.
So, Was It Worth It?
100% yes.
Not because I magically became rich or figured out the meaning of life, but because I started showing up for myself every day—before the world demanded anything from me.
Waking up at 5 AM gave me space to breathe, think, and grow. And that rippled into every part of my life—from my work to my relationships to my health.
Will I wake up at 5 AM forever? Probably not every day. But now I know I can. And that’s powerful.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need to Join the “5 AM Club” to Change Your Life
Here’s the thing—waking up early isn’t a magic bullet. But it can give you a pocket of quiet time that you might not have otherwise. And in today’s noisy world, that’s worth a lot.
You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to start.
So if you’ve been stuck, overwhelmed, or burnt out… maybe try setting your alarm just a little earlier tomorrow. Who knows what might change?
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