Why getting up early is the secret to living a more fulfilling life

Luzia Lifecoach
Mar 17
5 min read

Many people dream of a more fulfilling, balanced, and successful life but struggle to find the time or energy to make meaningful changes. The secret? Waking up early. While night owls argue that they do their best thinking in the evening, the reality is that most of us don’t spend our nights on productive or life-enhancing activities. Instead, we often waste time binge-watching TV, doom-scrolling social media, indulging in unhealthy habits like drinking, or spending too much money going out. These activities don’t necessarily add much value to our lives and often leave us feeling exhausted, unfulfilled, and even guilty the next day.

Why getting up early is the secret to living a more fulfilling life

On the other hand, mornings present a golden opportunity. Waking up early allows you to start your day with a sense of purpose, clarity, and energy that can lead to more productivity and overall life satisfaction. Here’s why embracing early mornings could be the key to transforming your life and how you can make the shift.

Why Evenings Are Unproductive for Most People

Evenings might seem like an ideal time to catch up on personal projects or hobbies, but in reality, they are often spent engaging in passive activities that do little to improve our lives. After a long day at work or school, most people feel drained, making it easier to default to mindless entertainment rather than doing something meaningful.

Here are some common ways evenings are wasted:

Watching TV for hours – It starts with one episode, and suddenly, it’s midnight, and you've watched an entire seaso
Doom-scrolling social media – You intended to check one notification but ended up mindlessly scrolling for an hour.
Drinking alcohol or going out to bars – While socializing is important, excessive outings can take a toll on your health and wallet.
Online shopping or spending money unnecessarily – Late-night impulse purchases often lead to regret.
Snacking late at night – This can lead to weight gain and disrupted sleep.

When you spend your evenings engaging in these activities, you’re likely staying up too late, leading to a restless night and a sluggish morning. The cycle continues, making it harder to be productive and engaged in your life. Instead of fighting against the natural decline in energy at night, why not take advantage of it? If your evenings aren’t serving you, shift your focus to mornings—where real transformation happens.

The Magic of Mornings

Mornings, unlike evenings, offer a fresh start. Your mind is clear, your energy is restored, and the distractions of the day have yet to creep in. Waking up early gives you uninterrupted time to do what truly matters.

Why mornings are powerful:

You Have More Energy – After a full night’s rest, your body and mind are at their peak performance.
Fewer Distractions – While the world sleeps, you can focus on personal goals, self-care, or creative work without interruption.
A Sense of Accomplishment – Starting your day with productivity sets a positive tone and increases motivation.
Better Mental Clarity – Morning quiet time helps with goal-setting, planning, and decision-making.
Improved Physical and Mental Health – Morning workouts, meditation, and healthy breakfasts lead to a healthier lifestyle.
More Time for What Matters – Whether it’s reading, writing, exercising, or working on a side hustle, mornings provide dedicated time for self-improvement.

What You Can Do With Your Mornings:

Exercise to boost your mood and energy levels
Meditate or journal to gain clarity
Work on a passion project or side business
Read and expand your knowledge
Enjoy a mindful, healthy breakfast
Plan your day with intention

By going to bed earlier and waking up earlier, you are prioritizing personal growth, health, and happiness over mindless, unproductive activities.

Book Recommendations to Inspire You

If you're looking for more guidance on how waking up early can transform your life, consider reading these books:

Atomic Habits by James Clear – While not solely about waking up early, this book provides invaluable insights on how small, consistent habits can lead to remarkable personal transformation. It teaches you how to build good habits (like waking up early) and break bad ones (like staying up late watching TV).
The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod – This book lays out a morning routine framework that includes six powerful habits—Silence (meditation), Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing (journaling). It’s an easy-to-follow guide for those looking to transform their mornings into a launchpad for success.

How to Transition to an Early Riser Lifestyle

If you're used to staying up late, making the shift to waking up early won’t happen overnight. However, with small, intentional changes, you can successfully reset your schedule. Here’s how:

1. Set a Consistent Bedtime

Your body thrives on routine. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Aim for at least 7-9 hours of sleep to ensure you wake up feeling refreshed.

2. Create a Relaxing Nighttime Routine

Avoid screens before bed—blue light from phones and TVs disrupts melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. Instead, establish a calming bedtime routine, such as reading, journaling, or taking a warm shower.

3. Reduce Evening Stimulation

Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and heavy meals close to bedtime. Dim the lights in your home an hour before bed to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down.

4. Set an Exciting Morning Plan

Give yourself a reason to wake up early. Plan something enjoyable for your morning, whether it’s a sunrise walk, a yoga session, or working on a creative project.

5. Avoid the Snooze Button

Hitting snooze only makes waking up harder. Place your alarm clock across the room so you have to physically get out of bed to turn it off.

6. Get Natural Light Early

Exposure to natural light in the morning helps regulate your body’s internal clock and boosts your mood.

7. Start Gradually

If you normally wake up at 8 AM, don’t suddenly switch to 5 AM. Gradually set your alarm 15-30 minutes earlier each week until you reach your goal.

Small Changes, Big Results

The time you spend in the evening determines the success of your morning. If you find that your evenings are filled with activities that don’t truly serve you, consider flipping your routine. Rather than staying up late engaging in mindless distractions, go to bed early and wake up with purpose.

Imagine starting your day with a workout, a peaceful cup of coffee, and focused work on something that excites you. Picture yourself feeling accomplished before most people even wake up. That’s the power of becoming an early riser.

A fulfilling life isn’t about finding more hours in the day—it’s about making better use of the hours you already have. So tonight, instead of scrolling through your phone until midnight, turn off the lights, rest well, and wake up ready to embrace the life you truly want.