I always thought I would grow out of being up and at it bright and early. As a kid I'd get up and eat breakfast while watching my morning cartoons before school, because I got up so early there was no need to rush. While I'm pretty sure now it's not a phase, I've grown to enjoy the time I get in the morning, and it has its perks.
1. Getting the spot
Whether your morning consists of going to the gym, hitting the library, or heading to the beach; early birds really do get the worm. Waking up bright and early, before the crowds, makes for an easy routine to get in your zone. I hit the gym before work in the mornings, and while most people are snoozing, I'm able to quickly find a parking spot. The ease continues when all the resources for my workout and I can get right into it, instead of waiting for a stair climber to open. Similarly, early birds find this situation in places all over, getting the booth at the library because you're there when it opens, being nice and close to the sand at the beach, whatever the occasion may be.
2. Having the day
Often on Sunday mornings during the semester, I'll hit the library when it opens and finish my school work before noon. My friends, who like to sleep until then, spend much of their day doing school work. Whereas, I'm able to do whatever I'd like to. As much as I envy that they can rest past the sunrise, I don't envy the late nights at the library, or the days full of errands. Early risers also have the benefit that an eight am class isn't something out of a nightmare. While some days are harder to get out of bed than others, there's no question of if you'll get to class. Ceasing the day, and making the most of when the sun is out, starts earlier for a morning person. While we may not make it to the late-night outings, (not without a nap at least) morning people are able to make the day theirs.
3. Being up before loved ones
Have a morning person in your life can be a benefit for late risers too. When we're feeling generous we might use our being awake to help those around us start their day in a pleasant way. It could be bringing my mom up a cup of coffee before she gets ready for work, getting my little sister her morning chocolate milk, or bringing my roommate breakfast on my way home from the gym. Bringing a little extra sunshine to a loved one's morning helps fill the day with gratitude. My roommate from last year could tell you as well, pairing a morning person with a night owl can be a great balance. In the mornings when she needs a reminder to get up, she knew she could count on me. When I needed an extra push to stay up, I knew she could help wake me up. The morning person in your life has time to think, and to act; our time before the rest of the world can be a time for you too.
4. Alone time
Now the opposite of that, is that when I need it, the morning gives me uninterrupted time for myself. The quiet morning before the waking of the world allows time for reflection, meditation, and relaxation. If I want to sit and journal, or read with a cup of tea; I can do so without company. Weekend mornings away from the library are best spent with a cup of tea, some breakfast, and your thoughts. I tend to use that time to reconnect with myself and note where I sit currently, and then make a game plan. By the time I'm at a comfortable point to jump back into my day, others are starting to rise into theirs. The morning creates a beautiful time to establish where your day is going to lead, and sometimes it's best to do it alone, and being a morning person makes that easier.
Between the rising and setting of the sun a variety of paths can carved out. For some of us, we start our morning with the sun. We spring out of bed, no coffee needed, and head for the day. While being in bed past 8:00 might make us stir crazy, it helps make us who we are. To all my early birds, go see the sunset, finish your book, hit the gym, do what the day is calling you to. Go get your worm, no matter what it is.
