Morning Sets the Tone of Your Day
Morning sets the tone for the rest of our day. As cliché as it sounds, being a morning person and doing simple things in the morning can completely change the trajectory of your day. It’s the optimal time when your body and brain are at their peak performance, allowing you to think clearly and process better.
When we align ourselves with nature’s timing, half of our problems begin to resolve on their own. Our circadian rhythm syncs with nature, and we start performing better naturally. The body opens up and regulates itself in a positive way.
My Journey to Becoming a Morning Person
Over the last few years, I have actively worked on becoming a morning person. I read countless books, articles, and listened to podcasts about waking up early – its benefits and how to start. I tried and tested multiple techniques and failed many times.
There were moments when I genuinely believed that becoming a morning person wasn’t for me. But then I kept getting this strong realization that I had to become one, and I wouldn’t give up until I did.
I’m sharing my journey of how I eventually became a morning person and how I’m now working toward optimizing my mornings.
Why Idealistic Plans Often Fail
I spent a lot of time collecting information and experimenting with different techniques. Most of the advice out there shows an idealistic, best-case version of becoming a morning person.
What I eventually realized is this:
You need a realistic approach.
When we plan mornings in an idealistic way, we tend to fail faster. We start with high motivation-deciding to wake up early and squeeze 10 different tasks into the morning.
This is where things usually go wrong.
If you’re used to waking up at 8 a.m. and suddenly plan to wake up at 5 a.m., you might force yourself for a few days-but it won’t last. Very soon, frustration and overwhelm set in. You fall back into your old routine, except now with added guilt.
What Finally Worked for Me
After trying different methods for a long time, I was finally successful in becoming a morning person. It didn’t happen overnight, and it definitely wasn’t easy. I’d be lying if I said it happened in a week.
I had many failures, moments of frustration, and times when I went back to my old routine. So you might wonder-how did I finally crack it?
The first thing was clarity.
I asked myself repeatedly:
- Why do I want to become a morning person?
- Why do I want to wake up early?
- Why am I willing to change my routine?
The answer was simple.
My body and mind function better when I wake up early. I have more clarity, get more done in less time, and experience a fresh start to the day. My mood stays regulated, I feel centered, my body feels lighter, and my mind becomes clearer and calmer.
The Ripple Effect of Quiet Mornings
One major benefit is that I don’t have to rush. I have enough time to enjoy my morning tea or coffee, read a book, plan my day, and eat my meals on time.
All of this keeps my mood stable and gives me a sense of accomplishment first thing in the morning. Your brain registers waking up early as an achievement-and that positive start creates a ripple effect for the rest of the day.
How I Shifted My Sleep Cycle (Step by Step)
Here’s the approach that worked for me.
I used to wake up at 8 a.m., rush to get ready, eat on the go, and hurry to reach the office. This constant rushing added unnecessary stress and drained my energy before the day even began.
I started by waking up one hour earlier and stuck to it for a week. I had listened to a podcast where a neurologist explained that the brain adjusts within 3–4 days.
Once I forced myself to wake up at 7 a.m. for those initial days, my body started doing it naturally. I began waking up even before my alarm. Then I added 30-minute increments, slowly working my way to a 4:30 a.m. wake-up time.
Supporting Changes That Matter
This won’t work unless you make other changes too.
To wake up earlier, I also started going to bed an hour earlier. I clearly communicated to my friends and family that I wouldn’t be answering calls or messages after a certain time and wouldn’t be making late dinner plans.
This helped me set healthy boundaries while maintaining strong relationships.
Now, I turn off my phone by 7:30 p.m., get into bed by 8:00 p.m., and fall asleep around 8:30 p.m. This gives me a full eight hours of sleep and allows me to wake up refreshed.
Consistency Without Perfection
Do I follow this routine 365 days a year? No.
I travel, attend festivities, and sometimes vacation in different time zones. During those times, I let myself enjoy fully. Once I’m back, I return to my routine-even if it means forcing myself for the first 3–4 days and relying on an extra cup of coffee.
By the fourth or fifth day, everything falls back into place.
Small Habits That Help a Lot
A few practical habits that made a huge difference:
- Keep your phone away from your bed so you have to get up to turn off the alarm
- Use a soft alarm tone instead of harsh sounds
- Drink 2–3 glasses of water immediately after waking up
- Keep a water bottle beside your bed
- Avoid using your phone for the first 1–2 hours in the morning
- Start the day with herbal tea or detox water
Spending the initial hours of the morning with yourself helps regulate your mood, keeps you mindful, and sustains your energy throughout the day.
Keep your morning to-do list simple and realistic. Once it becomes a natural part of your lifestyle, you can slowly add more activities.
Final Thoughts
It sounds easy when you read it-but it may not work on the first try. And that’s okay.
Failures are part of the process. What matters is continuing to try. Once you find your balance, the change is drastic. Having a strong why behind waking up early is essential. It gives you a reason to wake up and conquer the day.
It’s been over a year now since I’ve had quiet mornings and enough time to manage my day with ease.
Currently, I’m working on optimizing my mornings-experimenting with new strategies and routines. I’ll continue sharing this journey with you.
If you’re reading this, I genuinely hope you try it and benefit from it. And if you have ideas or experiences of your own, I’d love for you to share them with me.
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