There are morning people and there are evening people. I definitely identify with the latter! Getting up early is not in my genes and it’s far too late to change! My spots are indelible!
I worked for many years and, sadly, my life has been ruled by an alarm clock. My own body clock never worked as it’s set for a good few hours later than required. No matter what time I go to bed, my natural mornings start between 9:00 and 10:00 am. Definitely not earlier! Yet, for most of my adult life, my alarm clock has had to wake me up before 6 o’clock!
So, for years, I had a morning routine which I’ll share with you!
When the alarm clock’s piercing shrill heralded the start of a new day I could never just turn on a switch and wake up! I have no switch, only a soft button that I gently press. I feel the brain fog slowly begin to lift as my eyes adjust to the dark bedroom. I have barely enough energy to breathe but finally begin to feel movement in my limbs. I test the water by easing off the duvet and slowly sitting up. I wait until the brain fog has cleared enough to focus, then ease myself up and, holding both arms outstretched to prevent any collisions, stumble to the bathroom. The cold water goes some way to shocking me into first gear. This is where I stay for a while!
Hanging on to the bannister I shuffle slowly into the kitchen. The bright, fluorescent light initially blinds me before my eyes begin to adjust. I’ve now shifted into second gear. I boil the kettle for my first caffeine fix of the day. I walk into the sitting room and open the curtains, often exposing a black, starless sky or one with varied shades of grey. Only sunshine can inspire me and have any effect on my soporific brain.
My next challenge is getting to the television and turning it on. I place my coffee carefully down on the floor before falling back into the sofa, which happens to be soft and very comfortable, much like my bed! The television whirs into life and I choose the news channel. The heating is beginning to warm up the room so I close my eyes and desperately want to go back to sleep.
But, having the news channel on keeps me awake and focussed. Different noises and voices in degrees of volume brings me back to the present. I take hold of my warm mug of coffee and cradle it in my hands. The effects of the caffeine does soon kick in and my body slowly revs up into third gear!
By this time I have been out of bed for half an hour. I am now beginning to feel awake. I finish my coffee, turn off the television and climb back upstairs. Make up is applied, hair brushed and I get dressed. My husband is still gently snoring where I left him earlier. His alarm will signal the start of his day over an hour after mine.
Yet, he still leaves the house a few minutes before me. He’s always claimed not to be a morning person but is not in my league! In fact, I have yet to find any competition in this field!
But then I retired. Oh what bliss not to be ruled by an alarm clock! Or so I thought. Alas, I do exercise classes on some mornings and still depend on the loud shrill of my nemesis. It’s rarely before 8:00 am which gives me a couple of extra hours to get the body clock adjusted to daytime.
I still have coffee in the mornings and watch the news but there is one significant difference. I have a choice. I choose to do morning classes so it doesn’t feel quite so intrusive. I have breakfast after exercising so there is far less rush to get out of the house. I still put makeup on and brush my hair but I wear casual clothes. Less choice. And it’s not every weekday morning.
So, I never feel guilty lying in bed on a Monday morning when I have woken up on my own accord. I pity those already in work, stuck on motorways or fighting traffic. I have been there, done that and got the T-shirt. I have earned this delicious luxury and long may it last. I agree that being outside early in the morning, when the weather is fine, can be refreshing and exhilarating but, for me, nothing beats a warm bed and good night’s rest! 👠
Jenny Burrell 