Csy-Lux

Hi everyone! Happy Memorial Day 🙏 Hopefully, you are having a nice day off while we remember all who have lost their lives for our freedom ❤️ This morning, I wanted to share something I’ve done this month that I never in my craziest healthy girl era thought I would even attempt. I have been starting my days at 5 am. That is so HUGE for me. I‘ve always loved sleeping in until the very last minute possible.  Lately though, I found myself really short on time and wishing I had more of it in my mornings, but I was struggling to wake up as early as I wanted to. Mornings were becoming a bit stressful and they weren’t just stressing myself out, but my kids were feeling my stress as well. I really wanted to change how I started my mornings and didn’t want that adrenaline to set the tone for the rest of my day. I must also add, some of the most happiest and successful people wake up early. Mark Wahlberg starts his day at 3 am (Mark is a whole different kinda beast though 💪- I could write a whole blog post on his morning routine). Apple and Disney’s CEO and Michelle Obama all have all been up for a few hours by 6 am.  Kris Jenner is up by 4 am ready to work out for the day!  I tried last month unsuccessfully to wake up at 5 am, but because I didn’t have enough will of my own to do it, it wasn’t happening. Like at all. Like not even 2 days.  

Waking up at 5 am has given my days more meaning

To me, there is something about having that peace and uninterrupted quiet time before everyone wakes up that is so magical. Even coffee hits different. Everything is silent, including inside my house and outside on the streets. I start off my mornings with gratitude❤️ Literally, I find there is nothing to be upset that early in the morning for. I have learned throughout the weeks to not distract myself with my phone or social media if I want to be productive. My mornings are stress free. They are longer and I get a lot more stuff done at that time than I used to in the evenings. I get my work out before my husband goes to work and I am home right on time to say goodbye as he heads out the door. The way I see it is that by me getting up early and getting even a small workout done or 1 thing checked off my to do list I am investing in myself. If I am going to work for someone else and investing my time for their company from 8 to 5 why wouldn’t I work on myself first?

5 tips that have helped me stop hitting the Snooze button

Find your why

Finding your why to want to wake up is BIG.
You have to have a reason to want to push through to get out of the comfort of your bed and get up. That is why I failed the first month at waking up early. I didn’t see what I would GAIN from doing it. My Why was not big enough. After seeing results in just my first week of waking up at 5 am this month I started to look forward to my alarm going off every morning. My “Why” was to get my workout in for the day, get a couple things done off my to do list, and to be able to start off my day with gratefulness. It also was to give my kids a more patient, less stressed version of myself.

Have a support group

Find your people ❤️ Have a support group – Accountability is everything when you are trying to form a new habit. I was so lucky to have had the support of 8 friends that were part of our #MAYLIVEBETTER challenge. We kept each other motivated to do those 5 am wakeups through our instagram group thread. We even celebrated the days we didn’t get up at 5 am because we got another chance to try again the following morning. We actually have 2 days left, so I’m pumped about them. This month just flew by so fast.

Plan for your mornings

Ok this one was a lesson learned my first week. I did not plan for my mornings and I would find myself a little bored. I was excited to get out of my house and get my workout in but I still had to wait for the sun to come up. I would find myself getting on my phone for the first 20 minutes whcih ideally I didnt want to do. Second week, I was more prepared. I made a to do list of small stuff that I could squeeze in to get done before my workout and after right before getting ready for my day. Also, if you are planning on working out when you wake up, I highly recommend you have your workout outfit planned and ready to change into. You have no idea how many mornings I tried looking for my favorite pair of leggings or my favorite pair of socks at with my phone light on trying not to make so much noise and It took me so long to find them! When I started laying them out the night before, my morning transition from my pajamas to my running clothes were easy peasy.

Keep your phone away from your bed

This tip that I had read on Pinterest helped me so much. I set my alarm and put my volume to the highest and keep my phone on my drawer across from my bed. In the morning, when my phone goes off I am forced to get out of bed and it gives me just enough time to not want to go back to bed and stay alert. Having it right next to my bed is the same to me as not having an alarm. I just reach for my phone and snooze it and go back to bed. Sometimes, even worse, I keep the phone in my bed after I snooze it and then I just don’t hear it. Another thing that has helped me stay on my sleeping schedule is to stop using my phone an hour before bedtime. Since May started my bedtime goal has been 10 or 10:30 the latest. It isn’t hard because I am usually tired by 9 but if I do grab my phone any time after 10 I find it harder to fall asleep.

Wash your face and brush your teeth as soon as you get up

This is going to really get you up. It is going to make you feel so much better and give you the biggest energy boost. I might say more than my coffee does that early. You will definitely not want to get back in bed after washing your face. Washing my face, brushing my teeth, and applying moisturizer is the first thing I do as soon as I wake up and it just feels soo good that early in the morning.

Not quitting when May is over

My 5 am wakeups for May were not absolutely perfect. I missed about 3 days including today but I’ve come a long way from my April morning routines. My mornings have definitely been 10 times better and my entire days have just felt like i really did something. I feel like I am one step ahead of who I used to be last month throughout the day. I recommend starting your days earlier for 2 weeks to notice a difference in how you can really be in control of your days if you’re feeling like you dont have enough time in a day. See how it sets your mood for the day and how you naturally start it with GRATITUDE- plus the things you can get done. I am going to be continuing this early morning routine going forward. All these small changes I am making to better my health and my quality of life are really for present and future me. My hope is to watch many many more sunrises, drink many more early cups of coffee, and god willing, continue to have many more wonderful mornings. That is a good, peaceful, healthy life I hope to have and can’t wait to continue to live ❤️

I hope that if you’ve ever wanted to wake up early for any reasons that you have, my tips may help you achieve that. Are you naturally an early riser, or do you like to sleep in?. Let me know in the comments.

-Csy ❤️