This week’s get-to-know-you question has to do with our sleep preferences (or, I should say our waking preferences). Please remember there’s no wrong answer here. This is just a fun way to help us get acquainted with each other!
Here goes!
Would you rather rise early or sleep in?
Are you an “early bird” who hits the hay early to rise early the next morning?
Or are you a “night owl” who stays up late and prefers to sleep in?
Right now, in this season of life, I’d have to say I’m an early riser. I prefer to get up early to write, to read my Bible, to exercise, and to get my day started off in an uplifting and positive way. I like to feel I’ve accomplished something before 8 a.m. On those rare days when I do sleep in, I can catch myself feeling I’ve “wasted” part of my day by sleeping when I could have been up doing something productive. (Silly, I know.)
I guess I’m one who likes to get things done.
I like the feeling of accomplishment. This is interesting to me, however, as I’m realizing today that’s what drives me to get up early. Hmm. (I’m finding new stuff about me all the time!)
Yet, a part of me likes to stay up till midnight. To finish something I’m working on or to end the day in a quiet, relaxing manner. Without a rush or hurry. Maybe with some reading or journaling. I could be a night owl very easily, too. I have friends who are, and they love the late night hours. They enjoy sleeping in. They get just as much done late as I like to early.
Maybe some of this has to do with my husband. He gets up earlier than I do and is often out the door for work before I crack an eye open. If he was a night owl (which I believe is his preference), I might tend to follow suit. If he’s up, I like to be up, and if he’s asleep, I like to be asleep also. (That Quality Time Love Language gets me!)
Unrushed mornings are important to me.
My alarm went off at 5:30 this morning. It felt good to get up early. It felt good not to rush. If you’ve ever read my Meet Julie page here on my site, you’ll see one of the first things about me (besides me loving a good cup of coffee) is I find joy in unrushed mornings. I always have.
Even when our children were young, I desired a non-stressful morning routine for us all and tried to create that atmosphere here at home. Yes, I was one of those moms who made breakfast every morning for my children. My mom did that for me, so I wanted to do that for my kids. I wanted to do all I could to help them have an unrushed start to their day.
So, it seems when I rise early, my mornings are much less rushed. Let’s just say an unrushed Julie is a more pleasant Julie to be around.
Friend, how about you? What’s your preference?
Would you rather rise early or sleep in?
I’d love to read about your routine and maybe the reason behind it (if there is one). What’s important to you? How does your ideal day start? How does it end? Please share in the comments below or in social media feeds where you may read this. Have some fun with me!
Thank you for allowing us to get to know each other better!
Blessings,
It’s a joy to link this post with friend, Anita!
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I am and have always been a night owl. The thing is, our world isn’t designed for night owls and especially where I live in farm country. People here are up with the sun and in bed at dark. So, I’ve felt guilty about my preferred schedule for years. I believe we are born one way or the other. We can adjust to another schedule but in our core we are one way or the other. For thirty two years my alarm went off at 5:30 and I had to have the kids and I out the door for school by 7:20. Everyday, I had to force myself to eat breakfast even though my stomach rebelled each morning. While other teachers arrived at school to prepare for the day at seven, I always stayed until five to prepare for my next day…..alone…..just me and the janitor. I honestly thought something was wrong with me. Then came retirement!!! May I just say what a blessing it is to be on my natural schedule! I love staying up until 11 or 12 and sleeping until 7:30 or 8. I have my coffee when I get up, my yogurt at 9ish, and breakfast at 11. I do my most productive work from noon on. I know, I know crazy! I eat lunch around two and we eat dinner at seven. As weird as it sounds, I finally feel like myself and know this is my body’s clockwork. Funny tho, my husband and I are complete opposites in everything (except the important stuff). He’s up at 4:30 or five and in bed by 9. It does him in to stay up. I love all the uniquenesses God gave each of us and I’m finally comfortable in my own night owl feathers (skin)!
Yay! This is something to rejoice in, Cindy! Isn’t that interesting?! How for years you’ve had to conform in the ways that weren’t conducive to who you are. And now? Well, now it all makes sense as you live according to your own schedule. I love it! I’m so thankful you shared your perspective and are freely embracing who you are… and your new, perfect schedule!
I am most definitely an early bird. I usually wake before my alarm goes off. The quiet of morning is so refreshing. I love to begin my day with my Bible study/journaling practice and a mug of hot tea. Also, one thing I do before leaving the house for the day, is to put away the clean dishes from the night before, and to load the dishwasher with the breakfast dishes. It only takes a few minutes, but it makes such a difference in my afternoon/evenings being able to walk into a kitchen in which I can get right to work making dinner. About 8:30 pm, my body starts sending time to unwind signals. (yawning, again and again) I am usually in bed by 9:30, trying to read the next chapter in some book, but rarely making it through.
My husband is naturally a night owl and when we are on vacation, the schedule gradually gravitates to later and later. The problem for me is: I am still up really early!
Hi Kim! Your routine sounds like it fits you perfectly! Yes, it’s a challenge when our spouses are opposites in this area of life. Thank you for sharing a bit of your life with us. I love reading how each of us are created uniquely and live differently, yet how we can learn from each other as we journey through life together. Bless you, friend!
I love this series! I love getting up early while the house is still quiet. This time of year, I make my non-fat, decaf latte and sit on the back porch with my Bible and journal. By 5:15, the pets (aka hummingbirds) start zooming and chirping. They’re coming later each day now that fall is on its way, but I still see 40-50 each morning. Believe it or not, we’ve lived here six years and this is the first year that I’ve sat on the back porch for my devotions! I love it!
Anita, I love your morning routine! It sounds like a perfect way to start your day! I’ll be thinking of you now on your porch each morning with your pets. Your photos of them continue to amaze me! Thanks for hosting us at your place on Mondays! Have a blessed day!