Systems of Efficiency

I used to think that I could will myself into being a morning person. I set numerous alarms, even structured them throughout my apartment so that I would have to get out of bed to go shut them off. I had planned routines. Accountability partners. Check lists. Nothing ever stuck. Once the kids came along, I had this vision of waking up early and getting ready so I was fresh and ready to go for my day before the babies ever awoke. I’d have completed my bible study and workout and be baking fresh cinnamon rolls on a Tuesday before we all calmly exited the house for work/school.

PSYCH. My son doesn’t sleep. There is no such thing as waking before him. Somehow, every night, he falls asleep in his own bed, myself in mine, and by 6am when my alarm goes off, there he is right beside me. It doesn’t matter how quietly I get up. Within minutes of me exiting the bed his little brain has given the code red alarm and he is instantly aware that I am not beside him. I have fought this for years now, trying my best SpyKids reenactments of moving out of his death grips and from the absolute mess of sheets that ensnare us both. What I have realized is, is that it isn’t worth it. I am miserable, he is then awake too early and cranky, and nothing gets accomplished anyways. I am better off staying up late to get things done, relax, etc. and then freely snuggle my little man as I watch the sun start to peek up through my window blinds.

Accepting this reality has changed how I view these morning hours. Instead of fretting I wasn’t being successful enough or things not going according to my plan, I have found that I can joyfully welcome him into the day as his sweet eyes flutter open and we stroll downstairs for French toast and coffee together before the rest of the world has arisen. So much of what we determine as a success or failure has to do with the mentality that we approach it with. Once I changed my mindset to from morning time needing to be my most productive time (a time that I didn’t even want to the first place, I just somehow convinced myself I had to do to be successful) to a sweet quiet time of snuggles and ease, my ability to lean into my night owl side flourished.

I was so scared to have to wake up soon that I would go to bed early and lie awake for hours, my natural rhythms not yet ready for sleep. Double whammy, now I lost out on two times of productivity. Now, I can accept mornings for what they are and focus on my time after the kids are in bed to work out, clean house, prep for the next day, and go to sleep with the clear conscience that we are ready to go for tomorrow.

What is your morning/evening routine? How do you balance your natural rhythms with the tasks that have to be done?