25 Comments
User's avatar
Naomi J Spratt's avatar

I’m an oddball too, then! It’s a habit that has crept up on me over the past six years or so. Now, it feels odd not to do it. I have my phone in my bedroom as my alarm clock. I’m very rarely tempted to have a late-night or early-morning scroll, so it’s not really on my radar as being an issue. My alarm goes off at 0530; which then sets the dog and then the cat off; they get fed; I make a latte, or, sometimes, a lemon and ginger tea; a quick potter around the garden (if it’s dry); and taking in the early morning air, listening to the birds; and back into the kitchen table journal. I then pull on some clothes and take the dog out. It DOES feel like a secret! I think part of it is the knowledge that it is unpopular, and not many people do it. I feel clarity at this time of day, unfettered digitally.

Seize the day before the day seizes you.

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

Love this, Naomi. What a gentle and peaceful start to the day. Your time. Good on you that you don't feel that pull to scroll!

Expand full comment
Naomi J Spratt's avatar

I wish I had as much resolve during the day! 🤣

Expand full comment
Becky Handley Old Profile's avatar

I have just started admitting to myself that I am more of a morning person, than I am not. I have started getting up at 6.30am to workout and it's been a game changer. Just being able to take my time before work and have a hearty breakfast has been amazing.

I am glad you go to bed early too! I hear of so many people who start getting up early but keep their bedtime at the same time! It makes me exhausted just thinking about it.

Thank you for sharing, Janelle. 🖤

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

I'm so glad I realised about the going to bed early thing. I think I was just so conditioned that I didn't really realise it was an option! But it's made a massive difference to me. Glad to hear it has for you too.

And totally...the not rushing on a morning is lovely.

Expand full comment
Jenny Homan's avatar

Me too! Well, for me it's 05:00, because our schools start at 07:30 and I have nearly an hour long commute, but I love watching the sun come up, seeing the sky turn from grey to pink and orange and then blue... And seeing the huge red sun get smaller as it rises higher until it is a blinding yellow orb. Sunrises beat sunsets hands down. 🌄

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

I adore sunrises. Beautifully described

Expand full comment
Daniela Mühlheim's avatar

I am trying to get a morning routine… Not an early riser, though. I see you in how hard it is to develop a routine. I am still in the works, but your describing it makes me hopeful to get there 🤩.

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

Mine has been very inconsistent since I wrote this! I don't always wake up bright eyed and bushy tailed. But when I do, I often find solace in the mornings. I think as long as we don't pressure ourselves it can be good to experiment with things like when we get up and go to bed. Thanks for reading, Daniela

Expand full comment
Chloe Hope's avatar

I’m not a morning person AT ALL, but during baby bird season I get up at 5am most days for the early morning shift, and as much as I will never enjoy forcing myself out of bed at that hour, the drive to the rescue centre is just so, so beautiful. I’m constantly amazed that people aren’t up and awake and marvelling at the exquisite light. But maybe that hour is so special because there are so few people in it…

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

This sounds quite magical to me!

Urgh that must be tough forcing yourself to get up...but perhaps nice that the decision is almost out of your hands? And then you get to be up and awake at this 'before' time. And perfect time for dawn choruses too. The light! I just adore it. And I just love the smell of mornings. It smells different....

Thank you for all your care taking <3

Expand full comment
Nancy Dean Kreger's avatar

Thank you ….

Expand full comment
Hayley's avatar

Such a beautiful post, early mornings are just simply the best. 🥰

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

Sigh. They really are. Thank you Hayley

Expand full comment
Hannah Ashe's avatar

I love early mornings and the peace they bring before the rest of the world stirs. Pure bliss, especially in spring 🌸

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

These spring mornings (when it's not peeing it down) are everything

Expand full comment
Hannah Ashe's avatar

I don’t even mind the rain because it makes the plants look so vibrantly green 💚

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

I need to adopt your attitude here!

Expand full comment
Life as Women Laughing's avatar

Yes, early mornings do feel like a secret. I love the stillness, the feeling of promise, the clear-headedness when my thoughts are all my own and of course the sounds of nature early in the day. Favorite wake up time is 4 am. It gives me time before I have to busy myself getting ready for work.

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

All of this. Although I'm not quite as early as 4am. I definitely feel the most clarity first thing in the morning, then it wanes as the day goes on. By evening you won't get much sense out of me!

Expand full comment
Life as Women Laughing's avatar

Yes, I am in bed at night before most 8 year olds 😴

Expand full comment
Amanda Earl's avatar

I adore early mornings,.especially at this time of year. In an ideal scenario, I would get out of bed, throw my clothes on,.grab a thermos of Irish Breakfast tea, my headphones and head out the door into the fresh new spring green of the day.

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

That sounds dreamy. I hope you get some of these mornings soon

Expand full comment
Caroline Osella's avatar

With you on this. Freshness, calm, no traffic on my street. Birds singing and foxes creeping home to bed. Masala ginger tea and that beautiful trance state of having half the soul still in the dream world.

Expand full comment
Janelle Hardacre's avatar

Mmm, lush

Expand full comment