Cafe Hopper

Why get up early?

Scenario: A normal evening, some 4 years ago. I am sitting with my parents, wasting time on social media. Suddenly, my dad, who would be the last person to ever point this out, says, “You have got a double chin. It’s about time you start getting a grip on your routine and taking your health seriously.”

That statement hit home. It hit home hard.

It was something about the truth in those words that suddenly came crashing down on me. And I know I cannot get more cliched here, but post that day, there was no going back. *insert cool emoji*

I got into a routine. I started waking up early. I joined a gym. I got proactive about my health. I was scouring the net for anything and everything on weight loss. But all that is a story for another day.

On to more pressing matters.. Why get up early?

Remember, this is coming from a girl who would get up at 8.15 for a class at 8.30. (and of course, miss it, duh!). Sloth, irresponsible, nonchalant are few of the many colorful adjectives that aptly defined me back then. So here goes!

Its beautiful: I have seen the sun rise. I have seen the sun set. If there’s a romantic yet visceral feeling to be felt without a lover, this would be one of the top 5 on that list. Waking up to witnessing such beauty around you is enchanting. Do it once, and I am sure you’ll fall in love with it!

      It calms you: When you wake up at a time when more than half of the world is (or ideally should be) sleeping, the silence is daunting. But it makes you really hear the sounds around you. Just close your eyes for 30 seconds and soak that in. Its musical, what with all the birds chirping and whistling, leaves rustling against each other, and the sweet wind blowing, making you feel tingly.

        It keeps you active: Can’t stress enough on this one! The way I am energized throughout the day when I have gotten up early and exercised vis-à-vis when I haven’t, is infectious. My mood is so much better, and I can focus without tiring myself out.

        It keeps you organized: One of the administrative benefits of getting early is that you get the time to organize and structure your day, right from the morning. You have the time to plan things and their contingencies too. The extra time you get in the morning can be utilized in doing so much, the benefits are unparalleled.

        It gives a sense of accomplishment: There’s so much that can be done when you’re up early! I have had my most productive days when I am up at the crack of dawn and feel a sense of achievement and accomplishment which shines through from within.

Even after all these years, it is still a task to start the day early, but if there’s one thing that’s helped me is finding my why is when I ask myself, “Why am I doing this? What am I getting out of it?” And then all the redundant reasons clouding my sleepy, groggy brain start making space for the practical ones. It’s like finding a needle in the haystack, and it never gets easy. It’s all about finding that one reason compelling enough to stick to it.

You'll have so much more gratitude seeing the little, trivial things around! As Robin Williams said, “Seize the day, boys (and girls!). Make your lives extraordinary.” And, I guarantee you that in the end, it will all be worth the effort.

By SimRunnnn | Simranjeet Kaur
Meliorist | Runner | Romanticist (with words not you) 

"Jee haan, main apni zindagi jee rahi hoon!"