Photo by Abdul A on Unsplash

There’s an article I read several years ago that still haunts me to this day. The one where I, against my will, learned Mark Wahlberg’s daily routine.

No matter how hard I’ve tried, I’ve never been a morning person. I’m not much of an afternoon person either, to be fair.

My sweet spot for working is typically between 4 and 8pm. It’s when I most often find myself “in the zone” (when I get so enthralled in a project or task, I forget I have human needs — like eating or going to the bathroom).

Now, back to this cursed article.

According to CNBC, this is (or, was, in 2018) Wahlberg’s morning routine:

2:30 a.m. wake up

2:45 a.m. pray

3:15 a.m. breakfast 

3:40 to 5:15 a.m. work out

5:30 a.m. post-workout meal

(I will spare you the specifics of his daily diet, something I can never un-read.)

If you’ve ever delved into the self-help world, you’ve probably also been in a place of “morning person” propaganda.

Early bird gets the worm.

Rise and grind.

Magical Mornings.

If one more rich white man tells me to seize the day I’m going to fucking scream. I don’t believe in wearing our alarm clocks like badges of honor.

If you’re inherently a morning person who loves to wake up early, I honor your natural rhythms. Also, please don’t be an asshole about it.

If you’re inherently a nighttime person who has to wake up early, I just whispered a prayer for you. Keep reading for some practical advice.

And to my fellow night creatures who have agency over when they wake up / go to sleep … this one’s especially for you.

In case no one has told you:

• You can be a productive member of society without waking up early.

• You are allowed to follow your own energetic rhythms, especially if you have control over your own schedule. Even if it means sleeping in past 10.

• We all have genetic tendencies, or predisposition, to be a morning person vs. a nighttime person; if mornings are inherently harder for you, it doesn’t mean there’s something wrong with you, or that you’re less responsible or mature. Sometimes it’s simply biological.

Now, listen. I know some of my readers are parents and/or have 9-5 jobs. If your schedule isn’t totally yours, you still have an opportunity to be a little rebellious and take back your calendar.

Some ideas:

• Save your biggest tasks for the times where you feel most energized and capable; have a morning lolly-gag if you need to and ease into the day. When I worked in my corporate job, I loved starting the day with an inbox clean up and skimming through newsletters I’m subscribed to. I typically didn’t get into deep work until later in the afternoon.

• If you get up at 6am to work out or journal or whatever else because that’s what you’re “supposed” to do, give yourself permission to shift certain activities to a different time in the day.

• Classify your tasks by energy level. What tasks require more energy than others? At what point in time do you feel the most energetic or awake? Reserve those high energy times on your calendar for high-energy tasks. You can use this template if it’s helpful.

Bottom line is: You don’t have to want to be a morning person. Not being an enthused early riser doesn’t make you any less capable than someone who is.

The truth is, I may never be as rich as Mark Wahlberg but at least I don’t have to start my day at 2:30 in the morning.

Peace, love and workflows,

Andrea