A Note on Becoming a Morning person

I have heard the question before- "Are you a morning person?"

I always want to answer with a resounding, "Yes, I am!"

​There is something so beautifully elegant about being a person who wakes up to watch the sunrise; the kind of person who has reflected, completed half their to-do list, and had a nice chat on the phone before the rest of the world has opened their eyes. I want to be the person who gets to savor each and every morsel of the day I have been given. I want to soak up the sunrise and watch the sunset on my days. I want to be one of those "morning people." Perhaps you agree with me.

The reality is I have worked as a barista on-and-off for a good third of my life. I love the idea of being the first one at the cafe; listening to the sounds, inhaling the aroma, and savoring the first sips of that first morning cup of Joe; and connecting with the individual's who, like me, want to savor every moment of their day. Obviously, being the morning barista, I know what it means to wake up at 5 A.M. I also know what it feels like to wake up at 5 A.M. You would think it would be as I described above- beautiful, elegant, reflective...

For me, it's painfully difficult, unnatural, and sadly, not me. I have learned over the years I am a 8-9 hours of sleep per night little lady. I am also someone who likes to go to bed around 10pm-ish. Any earlier and I feel "rushed" to bed rather than "settling into" bed. This means 6-7 A.M. is my ideal time to open my eyes and begin my day. This also means I will miss most of the sunrise, and start my reflection, to-do list, and conversations along with the majority of the world.

So where does this leave me when I answer the question- "Are your a morning person?"

I now embrace my routine and the endless simple joys I am finding in my mornings. I have made a few small changes in order for my morning to feel like that of a "morning person", and I can honestly say I treat my 6:30 A.M. wake up time like that of a 5 A.M. one.

Here are a few things I am embracing in my mornings (Maybe you will enjoy some of them too.):

+ Opening the blinds before bed, so I can feel the warmth of sun on my face as it rises.

+ Having an 8oz glass of water on my nightstand to enjoy before I even get out of bed.

+ Having my coffeepot automatically set (a faux pas in the barista world), or having the espresso machine ready- making my morning cup of Joe effortless.

+ Taking the extra time to pamper my face and enjoy the simple acts of a self-care routine. (Love the scent of lemon or grapefruit first thing in the morning.)

+ Connecting with my husband while making breakfast or simply enjoying our morning cup of coffee together before we dive into work.

+ Spending a few minutes in prayer or reading scripture.

+ Choosing/or not choosing to dive into a 15-minute yoga practice. (I get to choose and I enjoy the spontaneity of the morning practice.)

My answer: Yes, I am a morning person.

​I am a morning person who wakes up rested and excited for the day. I move slowly when I wake up and savor the precious moments found somewhere between sunrise and 9-5. I love my mornings for what they are, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Are you a morning person?

Brittany Pruess