What I've Learned During My Early-to-Rise Challenge

Well, here it is ...the last week of the Early to Rise challenge. And I have learned a few things about myself.

First of all I have learned that being a night owl is deeply ingrained in me. I absolutely love those late hours when the kiddos are {hopefully} asleep in bed--I do have a night owl daughter, too--and I can relax, watch a favorite show, work on lesson plans or another project, read a book, even make a late-night run to the store ...whatever I want to do. Sort of like if I got up early before everyone. And while in my mind I would really like to flip-flop this to get up earlier than everyone else, it never fails that I get this massive second burst of energy every night around 9 and the kiddos are all tucked in. To go to bed early would literally require sleep-aid every.single.night. because even when I've gotten up extra early it doesn't make me any sleepier at night.

Secondly, I've learned not to condemn myself if I don't/can't get up as early as other people. The pictures that people have been posting of their alarm clocks going off at 5am, 4am, even 3am have really made me feel guilty some days. And like a big, fat loser-ha! But as one blog friend commented, "find the schedule that works best FOR YOU. ...don't beat yourself up." I SO appreciated that! It totally made my day! And I am coming to terms with that. Early mornings are not my best time. Even on the mornings that I have been able to rise early I can't say that I'm really very productive because I spend all my time just trying to wake up. And hoping no one else wakes up and expects me to talk to them...heehee

And, lastly, I've learned that I really do want to improve my waking-up-time. Even though I love late nights and probably always will, I do want to rise earlier than I have been. It mostly likely won't be at 5am, but that's okay. I'll enjoy the early moments that I can get. I have enjoyed the challenges presented (not that I've done them all) in the book Early To Rise by Andy Traub. He presents some very good arguments for starting your day early and it's definitely worth the read.

So what about you? Do you rise early? Have you participated in this challenge? What are your thoughts? I'd love to hear them!

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The Making of an Egyptian Death Mask

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