This is the first of probably many blog posts where I share some of the lies I’ve told myself over the years and how things have changed in my life today so stay tuned for more to follow.
For many years I told everyone I was a night owl. I believed I was. After all, I stayed up late almost every night…well into the wee hours of the morning; usually doing something on the computer or watching the boob tube.
After realizing there were some things in my life that were missing, I realized that bringing these things into my life was more important to me than my lax, late night schedule and I committed to myself to begin making the shift to getting up earlier and doing my work and then having the evening and weekends to play (this was the missing item I wanted). Keep in mind that I have stood by my story for years that I am a night owl and there was no way I would ever become a morning person.
It seemed like all I needed to do was make the commitment and things shifted almost instantly. I was shocked. Unfortunately, I got sick and that threw things to the wind for a while. Once recovered, I stepped back into that space and now can say that I believe I actually might be a morning person…words I never thought I’d utter!
I love the freedom this schedule gives me. I wake up feeling motivated to get my work done because I know that I can put in a full day and play all evening when I’m done; whereas before, I would tell myself there was no point in working productively and efficiently since I’d have to work into the evening hours anyway and then I’d just keep working until those early morning hours were upon me.
I feel a lot like I was in denial about the whole night owl thing. After all, our makeup is really to rise with the sun and go to bed with the moon. Most of the people I know who claim to be night owls suffer physically and mentally and I believe it’s because we work against our body’s and mind’s natural tendencies and it’s just not healthy. I know sometimes people are up at night and sleep during the day because something in their life requires that schedule for that time in their life and I have a greater understand of why I was a night owl and it was not because it was my natural tendency.
I was avoiding my life.
I was unhappy for many years and, even though I made changes that I believed would bring me more happiness, it took time for me to begin to feel the affects of those changes and it wasn’t until late 2012 when I really started to feel as though the changes I’d made in my life had integrated and it was time to really embrace life and all it has to offer.
Suzanne McRae says
August 2, 2013 at 5:51 pmI absolutely love how you have shifted your sleep patterns. I admire you for doing that. I recently am working on a few things, and for the most part I am up early morning. I don’t set an alarm clock unless I have to get going for something early day. That has helped me to want to get to bed by 11 pm or so most nights. Now if only I could figure out my son who goes to bed when the sun comes up. 🙂
Michele says
August 6, 2013 at 6:45 amIt has been a wonderful shift. I don’t set an alarm either, unless I have to be somewhere at a set time. I used to feel like I would miss something if I went to bed too early but now I can’t wait to crawl under those covers and begin my evening’s slumber so I can get up and do it all over again!
Amy Putkonen says
July 30, 2013 at 10:00 amHi Michele,
Bravo to you. Now at least we are on the same page! lol… I was just telling a friend the other day how I really need more sleep. I think that I have taken ‘early bird’ to an extreme and I am trying to balance this out by getting up later (say, 7 AM, on a Saturday?) lol…
We often judge ourselves harshly unnecessarily. I like what Deborah said about it being a process of reviewing our beliefs. They do change over time and it is good that you are listening and taking action on yours.
Michele says
July 30, 2013 at 11:24 amWe are on the same page! I really like the new schedule I’ve found myself in. I loved what Deborah said too. I’m amazed at how many beliefs I have held that are not true!!
Deborah Weber says
July 26, 2013 at 5:32 pmYay you Michele – I celebrate your letting go of the old story and making room for what you wanted! I think we have to be relentless in reviewing our beliefs – we accept so much as truth that really isn’t. Looking forward to the continuation of this series. It’s exciting when we uncover stuff about ourselves we’ve kept hidden from ourselves, and then we can make new choices.
Michele Bergh says
July 29, 2013 at 10:04 amIt is amazing how these old stories can affect us. We do need to constantly be checking in with ourselves and see if the same story works for us or not. When you consider that over 90% of what we do is habit, based on old stories, etc.; bringing it all into the conscious level can be a very powerful experience.
Belinda says
July 23, 2013 at 3:42 pmI can relate to this Michele! I’ve been a “night owl” for many years now as well. I used to be more of a morning person but that all changed many years ago when my husband was working several jobs. I needed to fix him dinner when he came home after the 11:00 pm. shift and so it began! I do find the stillness of the night great for writing though! So kind of unsure if I want to change it or not at this point. However, I am so glad you are feeling better and enjoying your new morning routine! XO
Michele Bergh says
July 23, 2013 at 4:57 pmI’m glad to hear your schedule works for you. It’s all about finding our sweet spot 🙂
Carin says
July 23, 2013 at 12:10 amLOVE that you find freedom in this new routine of yours. Getting up, and getting your work done in the morning is amazing. You don’t have all that hanging over you at the end of the day and can truly enjoy relaxing and playing when you’re done.
I’ve always been a morning person, and take one day a week to get up extra early (in fact, I just wrote a post about that morning yesterday!). That one morning does more than all the others put together right now, since life with young kids is so full on. Getting up early in combination with getting enough sleep makes me the most productive and creative.
Michele says
July 23, 2013 at 6:14 amYes! I love the morning hours…watching the sun come up…listening to the birds and watching them fly around my balcony. It makes such a difference for me.
Jennifer Richardson says
July 22, 2013 at 10:15 pmSo true, braveheart, and there you go again,
making brilliant changes and letting your life unfold it’s gifts to you.
I love how you process
and am loving the fruits of your leanings
(your playtime is so inspired….loving the photos on fb)
-Jennifer
Michele says
July 23, 2013 at 6:15 amLife is amazing when we open up to receiving it 🙂
Holly Worton says
July 22, 2013 at 1:14 pmI was just speaking with my husband about this the other day. Years ago, in my previous company, my life was all out of whack and I used to stay up until 2 or 3 in the morning, working away on my computer. It was the only time I had peace in my life and I and could concentrate and really get things done. I relished those hours of working in silence, with no interruptions.
I’m still not a morning person, but my life now is so much more balanced and stressless compared to the days of my previous company…and I’m getting off the computer with enough time to unwind and get to bed at a reasonable hour.
Michele says
July 22, 2013 at 1:54 pmIt’s hard on our bodies and minds to live with that type of schedule for any length of time. So glad to hear you have adjusted your life to something that works better for you!
Sabrina S. says
July 22, 2013 at 1:02 pmHi Michelle,
Thanks for writing this post. I’m starting to question that assumption, so it’s a timely post to read! Can’t wait to read the other similar posts. I’m also questioning and revising most of my choices.
xoxo from Bordeaux (FR)
Michele says
July 22, 2013 at 1:13 pmMy pleasure. These past couple of years, I’ve been doing more soul searching than ever before and that has led to, in recent months, a realization of how many decisions I’ve made based on beliefs rather than truth. I can’t wait to share more.