How Waking Up Early Became My Self-Care

Morning Routine

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been a night owl. I’d regularly stay up past midnight—sometimes not even starting my evening until 10PM. One day, I discovered how much joy waking up early could bring me.

Now?
6AM is sleeping in.
And I choose this—and I love it.

When Being a Night Owl Was a Good Thing

When I first became a mom, my night owl tendencies came in handy. Those middle-of-the-night feedings? No problem. I’d stay up late, take care of my baby, and sleep in the next morning. For the first 18 months or so, everything felt manageable.

But then the toddler stage hit.

The Turn of the Night Owl

Suddenly, my daughter’s sleep schedule became unpredictable. Every night, she needed me to help her fall asleep. If she was out by 8PM, that was a win—but more often, it was 9 or 10PM.

Once she was finally asleep, the rest of the evening became “me time.” I’d work, binge a bit of Netflix, or just do anything that I wanted. My husband would already be asleep, and I cherished those solo hours.

But over time, those hours decreased. I had less and less energy to stay up, and even when I did, I’d go to bed irritated or exhausted—especially on the nights I didn’t get any time to myself at all. I would end the day frustrated, then waking up to the sound of my daughter crying… tired, frazzled, and anxious before the day even started.

Being a night owl worked—until it didn’t.

The 5AM Idea That Changed Everything

One day, I was chatting with my cousin, and she told me about the 5AM Club—a concept where you wake up early and dedicate your first hour to wellness: journaling, meditating, moving your body, or simply reflecting—setting the tone for a positive day.

I was intrigued.

So, one morning, I tried it.
I woke up at 5:30AM (couldn't quite make it to 5AM yet)
I brushed my teeth, washed my face, did a short meditation, made a hot cup of coffee (and actually got to drink it while it was hot), and even had time to make myself breakfast. I spent the rest of the hour doing something I enjoyed—painting a paint-by-number kit I had just started.

It felt like such a treat.

By the time my daughter woke up, I felt ready. I was calm, energized, happy. And, I felt excited to greet the day—and her.

That was the beginning of my new morning routine, and it’s been one of the best changes I’ve ever made. It was the self-care I didn’t know I needed. This was wellness. This was me, choosing intention.

The Value of Time

Motherhood taught me the value of time.
Every extra minute in the shower counts.
Every hour before daycare pickup needs to be used productively.
Evenings are unpredictable, but mornings are mine.

Now, I use my mornings to intentionally make time for:

• myself
• movement and exercise
• gratitude and mindfulness
• intention setting
• hobbies and joy
• slowing down before the rush
• nourishing my body and mind
• being fully present with my family

Waking up early is how I get to start my day on my terms. To pour into myself before I pour into others. Becoming a morning person wasn’t just a shift in routine—it was a shift in mindset, in identity, in self-worth.