Ever since Michael started his new job six months ago, he's been getting up earlier to compensate for an hour-long commute. Fortunately, there are several other co-workers who live at our exit with whom he can carpool, which saves on gas, time (HOV lane), and stress in only having to drive once a week or so. Plus he has more time now to read on the drive.
Last week, one of his fellow carpoolers, who also happens to be his boss, offered the challenge that they all start getting up at 5:00 and spending that extra hour in prayer. Previously, I slept right through the alarm and only got up when it was time to get ready for my day and feed Jane, around 7:30-8. I do need more sleep than Michael, but switching to that wide of a divergence would probably not be a good idea, as if I'm too caught up on sleep I might be likely to stay up late talking and thus hijack Michael's resolve on early rising. The only solution is to make sure I'm as sleepy as he is when it's time to sleep.
So for this past week, Michael has gotten up at five, and then awakened me at six, and I have fixed breakfast for him, which we eat together. It's been very nice to have breakfast together and to be able to serve him a hot meal, and then I have a bit of quiet time after he leaves and before Jane wakes up.
What I'm most struck with is how long the morning is when it starts that early. I'm hungry long before lunch time, and I have to be careful, when running errands, to make sure that the stores are actually open. Apparently only grocery stores and pharmacies are usually open before 8:00 am.
Here it is 10:00, and I've already been awake for four hours. Jane is already down for her morning nap, and I've gotten groceries, cleaned the kitchen, de-boned the chicken from last night, and read a good bit. One can certainly accomplish a good bit with an early start. Even if I have to compensate with a nap this afternoon, I'll still feel ahead.
We'll see how long it lasts. I really hate the new system during the first ten minutes of the day. But after that, the advantages are manifold and glorious.
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5 comments:
I hear you. For awhile J & I were doing the 6:30 wake up thing and I had scads of morning to kill! I'd always want to run errands -- and *nothing* was open.
Now, of course, I'm sleeping until 7:30 and we changed the store hours so I have less of a morning free. And I still wish for about 2 additional hours of sleep a day! =)
I know exactly how you feel! Of course I'm not rising at 6am, but 6:30am is an hour earlier than I am used to and it has been an adjustment. Hang in there!
So...um, you wanna call me and wake me up at 9 EST when you're just dying for something to do? I am having the HARDEST time recently with the whole getting up thing.
I totally know what you mean! Twice in the last week I have had to have my whole family out the door earlier than we usually get up and it is amazing how much can get done. :-) The other thing I've noticed is that when the stores first open in the morning, the other patrons all look like me - moms with babies. Hmmmmm.....
Or, Janice, I could call you at MY 6:00 and then you'd REALLY get a lot done that day. =)
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