Bri & Cat

How I Finally Became a Morning Person (And How You Can Too)

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For years, I swore I’d never be a morning person. I was the type who hit snooze three times, scrolled social media half-asleep, and sprinted out the door with cold coffee in a travel mug. The thought of waking up early and actually enjoying it? Impossible. Or so I thought.

But here’s the truth: becoming a morning person didn’t happen overnight. It took small changes, a lot of trial and error, and some surprising mindset shifts. And if I can do it (someone who considered 11 a.m. “early”), you can too.

In this post, I’ll share the exact steps that helped me shift from dragging myself out of bed to waking up with energy and intention.

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Why I Wanted to Be a Morning Person

I realized my nights were unproductive. I’d watch one too many episodes on Netflix or scroll until midnight, convincing myself I “deserved to relax.” By the time morning rolled around, I felt groggy and behind before the day even started.

I wanted mornings that felt calm, not chaotic. I wanted time for myself before work, whether that was journaling, stretching, or just sipping coffee in peace. Being a morning person meant gaining hours I had been wasting the night before.

Have you ever felt like you’re constantly playing catch-up? That’s where I was. And I knew something had to change.

What Finally Worked

I’ll be honest, I tried and failed a dozen times before finding a rhythm. I read books, listened to podcasts, and even bought a fancy sunrise alarm clock. But through trial and error, I figured out what stuck.

Here’s what worked for me (and what might help you too):

1. I Started Small (Really Small)

I didn’t jump from waking up at 8:30 to 5:30 a.m. That’s a recipe for failure. Instead, I set my alarm just 15 minutes earlier each week.

  • Week 1: 8:15
  • Week 2: 8:00
  • Week 3: 7:45

It didn’t feel shocking to my system, and the gradual shift meant my body adjusted naturally. Within a couple months, I was waking up an hour and a half earlier without feeling like a zombie.

2. I Created a Morning Ritual I Actually Enjoyed

If your mornings are miserable, you’ll never stick with them. I stopped trying to make my mornings about discipline and instead made them about enjoyment.

For me, that looked like:

Suddenly, my mornings became something I looked forward to instead of dreaded.

3. I Fixed My Evenings First

Becoming a morning person isn’t just about mornings- it’s about nights too. I had to get honest with myself about my bedtime habits.

Here’s what helped:

  • Putting my phone across the room at night (so I wasn’t scrolling until 1 a.m.)
  • Turning off the TV by 10 p.m.
  • Reading before bed instead of binge-watching another episode

When I fixed my evenings, mornings felt less like punishment and more like the natural next step.

4. I Stopped Expecting Perfection

There were days I overslept. Days I stayed up too late with friends. Days I rolled over and hit snooze. But I stopped labeling those mornings as “failures.” Instead, I treated them as a reset.

Being a morning person isn’t about perfection, it’s about creating a rhythm that you return to more often than not. That mindset shift made all the difference.

5. I Paid Attention to Energy, Not Just Time

I used to think being a morning person meant waking up at the crack of dawn. But honestly? My sweet spot is 6:45 a.m., not 5:00. I learned to tune into when I felt alert and when I was forcing it.

This made mornings sustainable, not just performative. If you’ve ever felt pressured to join the 5 a.m. club but hate it- don’t. Find the version of morning that actually works for you.

Benefits I’ve Noticed

Shifting into a morning person wasn’t just about getting up earlier. It transformed my days. Here’s what changed:

  • More calm starts. Instead of rushing, I have time to breathe before the day starts.
  • Better focus. I tackle important tasks in the morning when my brain is fresh.
  • Improved mood. Having a little “me time” before the world needs me sets a positive tone.
  • More consistency. I no longer feel like I’m playing catch-up all day long.

And honestly? I feel more like the person I’ve always wanted to be.

What I Wish I Knew Before Becoming a Morning Person

Looking back, there are a few things I wish someone had told me when I first started trying to change my mornings. These would have saved me from a lot of frustration and false starts.

  • It’s not about the clock, it’s about the rhythm. You don’t have to wake up at 5 a.m. to be a morning person. Your version might be 6:30, 7:00, or even 8:00. What matters is that you’re intentional with the time you do have.
  • Your body will resist at first. The first week feels rough. You’ll want to crawl back under the covers. But your body adapts more quickly than you think if you stay consistent.
  • Caffeine isn’t a solution, it’s a support. I used to chug coffee thinking it would magically fix my mornings. Now I treat it as a little morning ritual, not a crutch.
  • Morning routines don’t need to be Instagram-worthy. You don’t need green juice, a 5-mile run, or a 20-step routine. Even 10 minutes of calm can shift your whole day.
  • It’s a lifestyle, not a challenge. This isn’t about proving you can wake up early for 30 days. It’s about creating a new rhythm you can actually maintain long-term.

If I had known these truths earlier, I would’ve been a morning person years ago. But maybe sharing them now will help you avoid the same mistakes I made.

Tips If You’re Trying to Become a Morning Person

If you’re ready to give mornings a real shot, here’s my friend-to-friend advice:

  1. Start with 15 minutes earlier. Don’t overhaul your life in one day.
  2. Make mornings enjoyable. Coffee, music, candles, whatever feels good.
  3. Fix your nights. You can’t expect to wake up refreshed if you’re going to bed at 1 a.m.
  4. Celebrate small wins. Got up 10 minutes earlier? That’s a win.
  5. Find your own version. Don’t copy someone else’s routine. Create your own.

The Myth of the “Perfect Morning Person”

Let’s clear this up: being a morning person doesn’t mean you’re suddenly perfect, productive, and glowing at 6 a.m. every day. Some mornings, I wake up groggy. Some mornings, I skip journaling. Some mornings, I only have time for coffee before heading out the door.

But I’ve learned that progress matters more than perfection. And that’s where the real magic is.

You Can Be a Morning Person Too

If you’ve ever thought, “I could never be a morning person,” I promise you, you can. It doesn’t require willpower superpowers or a 4 a.m. alarm. It requires small, doable shifts, and a willingness to keep trying.

Becoming a morning person gave me space in my day I didn’t know I was missing. It gave me calm instead of chaos, and energy instead of exhaustion. And the best part? It’s possible for anyone, even you.

So start small. Create mornings you actually enjoy. And remember- it’s not about perfection, it’s about progress.

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If you’re struggling, start small:

  • Pick one habit to try this week.
  • Adjust your bedtime by 15 minutes.
  • Set up your coffee or tea station the night before.
  • Write a single sentence in a journal tomorrow morning. Check out our article: 10 Best Gratitude Journals.

Because on the other side of snooze buttons and frantic mornings is a version of you that actually enjoys the sunrise. And trust me, they’re worth meeting.

With love,

Bri & Cat

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