Fresh Start Monday #006: When pursuing change, find the fun
When we pursue change, we consider what we'll benefit most from.
Rarely do we consider what we'll most enjoy.
The problem is I've always loved nighttime.
Nighttime is indulgent.
I'll stay up until 2 am, getting lost in a book. Or spiral into an entertaining internet rabbit hole. On weekends, wine.
Or, for some, it's an elaborate meal or delivery, a Netflix binge, Ben & Jerry's, music, or a bath.
Our present outweighs the benefits of waking up early. The morning doesn't have the same type of fun vibes.
It's not about removing what I enjoy from the evenings, but how do I make early mornings more fun?
The only time I've consistently woken up early was when I lived in NYC in 2017.
My buddy and I hated waiting in line to climb after work. We started climbing Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 7 am. We took turns buying coffee. An empty gym and climbing V6s were our shared goals.
My other early morning successes share similar aspects.
Earlier this year, I hiked the John Muir Trail. We woke up at 5 am each morning to take our first steps by 6 am. My day hikes on the weekends start early to beat the afternoon sun.
There's a stillness and quiet to dawn, especially in nature.
Before diving into what I'm trying, how did last week go?
Last Week
I set my alarm for 7:45 am. Waking up 15 minutes earlier did not feel like a significant change which was a success.
Two thoughts that came up:
What am I doing with this extra time? I want to write and work on my business, but what is the specific action? It didn't feel like I woke up with a purpose. Instead of utilizing those 15 minutes, it felt like I compensated by moving slower throughout my morning routine.
I planned on going to bed earlier, but not much had changed. The small sleep deficit did not have a noticeable effect for one week, but something needs to change.
Fresh Start Experiment
Andrew Huberman, a neuroscience professor at Stamford, has said, "I would place getting morning sunlight in your eyes in the top three of all health-promoting practices just behind regular exercise and sleep." It's essential to reset your circadian rhythm and promote deeper sleep.
I see the benefits of going on an early morning walk, but do I enjoy it?
If I looked at a higher benefit, I could exercise in the morning. But I never looked at rock climbing or hiking as exercise. They've been passionate hobbies in different phases of my life. And a way to seek out calm in a busy world.
In Los Angeles, I went for walks first thing in the morning. 8 am walks in central LA meant pavement, traffic, and honking. The early morning calm felt more like early morning chaos. A task to be done, not enjoyed.
Moving to Boulder increased my motivation for an early morning walk. I have a park across the street. I have greenery. I have mountains as a backdrop. This week I'm taking it a step further.
I'm waking up 15 minutes earlier, at 7:30 am. I'm driving to a trailhead three miles and eight minutes from my house for a short morning hike.
If hiking in nature doesn't get me up earlier, nothing will.
Applying it to your life
We have an eye for long-term benefits, but not for overcoming short-term pain.
Find the fun.
When pursuing change, ask:
Is there a friend I'll enjoy doing this with? My partner?
Can I add music? Dance? A podcast or audiobook?
Can I make this into a game?
What is my reward?
Can I pair it with something else I enjoy?