Chapter 1: The Beauty of Early Rising

It's tough to choose a single favorite moment of the day, as each has its unique charm. However, late mornings and early afternoons during summer, spent lounging by the pool or soaking up the sun, are particularly delightful. Yet, mornings can be equally enjoyable year-round.

As I navigate through my "empty-nest" phase, I've noticed that early mornings have increasingly become part of my routine. It’s now common for me to awaken at 4:30 a.m., and I don’t foresee this changing anytime soon.

Fortunately, I've developed a more positive outlook over the years, and I now embrace my tendency to wake before 6:30 a.m. most days, sometimes as early as 4:30. It's better to accept my circumstances and make the most of the extra hours before dawn. These pre-dawn moments offer a chance to enhance my life instead of lying awake wishing for more sleep.

The finest hour that I have seen Is the one that comes between The edge of night and the break of day It’s when the darkness rolls away — Kate Wolf, “Across the Great Divide”, 1981

Reflecting on my past, aside from my challenging late teens and early twenties filled with depression and excessive drinking, I’ve been an early riser for most of my life. Mornings evoke a sense of renewal and optimism, especially when faced with difficult times.

There’s something truly uplifting about the hours surrounding sunrise. It’s during these moments that I often generate my best ideas, whether related to writing, household projects, or even sports. Early morning exercise served as my initial form of self-care, starting with YMCA aerobics in high school after I moved away from winter sports. Swimming laps at the local YMCA before work was a crucial part of my day during my struggles with depression.

In contrast to those earlier days when it was a challenge to rise, I now wake up motivated by the possibilities ahead. The struggle has transformed into a natural urge to seize the day, starting with a warm cup of coffee.

Morning awakenings are particularly beneficial during vacations. For instance, if you plan to hike a popular trail, an early start helps you avoid the crowds. When vacationing in Florida with my child, I never missed my early morning jog on the beach while they slept. But those are not typical days in my routine.

It's essential to cultivate effective coping strategies for the occasional challenges posed by poor sleep. The early hours can be utilized for regular household chores, workouts, or even writing—just like I’m doing now.

Throughout my thirties and most of my forties, I was dedicated to mastering figure skating. This passion stemmed from my childhood, where my only experience was skating on worn-out skates at a nearby pond. Despite the lack of lessons in my area during the 70s and 80s, my love for the sport persisted.

As an adult, living near an indoor rink allowed me to pursue lessons, and I had no trouble waking up for the 6 or 6:30 a.m. freestyle practice sessions. My child joined me as they grew older. Competing and attending events like Skate America in Milwaukee required early starts, and I eagerly woke up at 5:00 a.m. to watch world-class skaters practice up close.

However, my child, who excelled despite starting later, stopped lessons years ago. My interest in skating diminished during the pandemic, leading to infrequent practice and watching competitions on TV.

Currently, I enjoy playing tennis and pickleball. While few people play at 6 a.m.—which suits me just fine—my evening tennis sessions are scheduled for 7:30–9:00 p.m. It feels a bit late for my liking, but I hope it might allow me to sleep in a little longer the following day, even though vigorous activity close to bedtime is generally not advised.

Recently, my wake-up time has shifted gradually earlier, which I’ve dedicated to renovating my kitchen. There’s a satisfying sense of accomplishment that comes from completing home projects independently, especially when you’ve never considered yourself handy.

Initially, I awaited assistance for the four largest cabinet doors, but then I cleverly stacked a storage bin and two books to hold one door while I secured the first screw.

The most puzzling moment arose when I attempted to reattach the hinge on the last big cabinet door, only to find that the holes were misaligned. Rather than succumbing to frustration, I measured, marked, and drilled new holes, successfully completing the task.

The backsplash, a product of my early morning efforts, is a reminder of what I can achieve when I apply myself. I have also recently replaced the main deck with a larger, higher structure featuring a new sliding glass door.

Over the years, I’ve tackled various projects during those quiet early hours, from laying new bathroom tiles to improving lighting around my mirror. Most recently, I sealed a gap that could allow mice to enter, leaving me feeling quite accomplished.

Now, with more early morning hours to explore, I’m open to new pursuits, moving beyond skating and home repairs. However, I won’t be filling my time with another house project that requires extensive work.

Chapter 2: Sleep Optimization and Its Benefits

In this chapter, we delve into the significance of quality sleep and strategies to enhance it.

The first video titled "Master Your Sleep & Be More Alert When Awake" discusses various techniques to improve sleep quality and increase alertness during waking hours.

The second video, "Tools for Optimizing Sleep & Sleep-Wake Timing | Huberman Lab Podcast #84," provides insights on tools and strategies to achieve better sleep-wake cycles.