How To Wake Up at 5 A.M. Every Day: An Unconventional and Compassionate Guide to Becoming an Early Bird
How To Wake Up at 5 A.M. Every Day: An Unconventional and Compassionate Guide to Becoming an Early Bird
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Introduction: The Myth of the “Morning Person”
I used to think I was born a night owl. No matter how many times I tried to change my routine, I always found myself wide awake past midnight — scrolling, reading, overthinking, doing anything but sleeping.
Like most students, my schedule was chaos. Between university classes, part-time work, and trying to maintain some form of social life, my sleeping pattern was… let’s just say, unpredictable. I told myself I was just “not a morning person.”
But that changed when I came across something unexpected — a quote from the Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami.
How Haruki Murakami Changed My Mornings
While reading Norwegian Wood, I got curious about Murakami’s life and writing process. That’s when I stumbled upon a 2004 interview where he described his daily routine:
> “When I’m in writing mode for a novel, I get up at 4 a.m. and work for five to six hours. In the afternoon, I run for ten kilometers or swim for fifteen hundred meters (or do both), then I read a bit and listen to some music. I go to bed at 9 p.m.
I keep to this routine every day without variation. The repetition itself becomes the important thing; it’s a form of mesmerism. I mesmerize myself to reach a deeper state of mind.”
At first, I was stunned. How could someone voluntarily wake up at 4 a.m. — and enjoy it? But something about the way he described “mesmerizing himself” through repetition stuck with me.
Maybe waking up early wasn’t about discipline or productivity — maybe it was about rhythm.
So, I decided to try it myself. Not 4 a.m., but 5 a.m. — a realistic compromise.
And slowly, what started as an experiment turned into a transformation.
Step 1: Redefine What It Means to Wake Up Early
When people think of waking up early, they picture an intense, disciplined lifestyle — green smoothies, cold showers, and 5 a.m. workouts. But that’s not what it’s about.
Waking up early isn’t about punishment; it’s about peace.
It’s about creating a quiet space in your day that belongs entirely to you. No notifications, no noise, no demands — just stillness.
For me, the most surprising part wasn’t how productive I became, but how much calmer my mornings felt. I started writing again, thinking clearly, and even feeling more grateful for simple things — like the sunrise outside my window.
Step 2: Prepare the Night Before
The secret to waking up at 5 a.m. actually starts the night before.
If you don’t set yourself up for rest, no amount of motivation will get you out of bed. Here’s what helped me most:
1. Set a bedtime alarm.
It sounds silly, but an alarm that says “Time to wind down” at 9:30 p.m. helps your brain prepare for sleep.
2. Dim your lights an hour before bed.
Light affects your melatonin levels. Turn off bright overhead lights and use warm lamps instead.
3. Avoid screens 30 minutes before bed.
The blue light from your phone or laptop tricks your brain into thinking it’s still daytime. Try reading or journaling instead.
4. Have a wind-down ritual.
Drink herbal tea, stretch, or write down three things you’re grateful for. Your body learns that these signals mean “bedtime.”
When your evening feels peaceful, your body naturally prepares to rise early.
Step 3: Make Waking Up at 5 A.M. Worth It
Here’s the truth: your bed will always feel amazing at 5 a.m. You need a reason stronger than comfort to get up.
Ask yourself — why do I want to wake up early?
Is it to work on your art, study, meditate, or just enjoy silence before the world wakes up?
For me, my 5 a.m. motivation was writing. I realized that those early hours — when everyone else was asleep — were my most creative.
You don’t need a huge project. Even something small, like making coffee and reading a chapter of a book, can make waking up early meaningful.
Once your brain associates 5 a.m. with something rewarding, it stops feeling like a chore.
Step 4: Start Small — Don’t Jump to 5 A.M. Immediately
If you normally wake up at 9 a.m., suddenly trying to wake up at 5 will be torture. Instead, move your wake-up time gradually:
Week 1: 8 a.m.
Week 2: 7 a.m.
Week 3: 6 a.m.
Week 4: 5 a.m.
This gradual shift helps your body adjust naturally. Within a few weeks, your internal clock starts to reset — no alarms, no struggle.
Pro tip: Keep your alarm across the room so you have to get out of bed to turn it off.
Step 5: Create a Gentle Morning Routine
You don’t need a “millionaire morning routine.” You just need one that feels yours.
Here’s what my 5 a.m. routine looks like:
5:00 a.m. — Wake up, drink water, stretch for 5 minutes.
5:10 a.m. — Brew coffee or tea.
5:20 a.m. — Write for 45 minutes (no phone).
6:00 a.m. — Go for a short walk or do light exercise.
6:30 a.m. — Shower, read, or listen to music.
Simple. Peaceful. No rush.
Your version might include yoga, prayer, journaling, studying, or planning your day — whatever centers you.
Step 6: Protect Your Sleep Like It’s Sacred
If you want to wake up early, you must sleep enough. Cutting sleep doesn’t make you productive — it makes you miserable.
Aim for 7–8 hours every night.
That means if you want to wake up at 5 a.m., your bedtime should be around 9–10 p.m.
Murakami said it perfectly:
> “The repetition itself becomes the important thing.”
That repetition — sleeping and waking at the same time daily — trains your body’s natural rhythm. It becomes effortless.
Step 7: Be Kind to Yourself
You won’t always get it right. Some days you’ll oversleep. Some nights you’ll stay up late for a movie or a deadline. That’s okay.
Don’t let one “failed” morning spiral into guilt. The goal isn’t perfection — it’s consistency over time.
Think of waking up early as a relationship with yourself. You show up, nurture it, and forgive the slip-ups.
Step 8: Notice the Benefits
Within two weeks of my 5 a.m. experiment, I started noticing changes:
My focus improved dramatically.
I stopped rushing through mornings.
My creativity flourished.
My mood became more balanced.
I finally felt like I had time for myself.
It’s hard to describe the quiet joy of watching the world wake up. There’s a sense of control — not over others, but over yourself.
Why Waking Up Early Isn’t About Productivity
Here’s the twist: waking up early didn’t make me a “productivity machine.” It made me present.
The stillness of early morning helps you think clearly, make intentional choices, and connect with what truly matters.
If you use your early hours just to get more work done, you’re missing the point. The real magic is in slowing down before the world speeds up.
Step 9: Anchor Your Identity
Don’t just try to wake up early — become the kind of person who does.
When your identity shifts, your habits follow.
Instead of saying:
> “I’m trying to wake up early.”
Say:
> “I’m the kind of person who values peaceful mornings.”
This mental shift helps your brain align your behavior with your self-image.
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Final Thoughts: The Gift of 5 A.M.
Waking up at 5 a.m. isn’t about impressing anyone or joining the “hustle culture.” It’s about reclaiming your time, focus, and calm.
If you approach it gently — with compassion instead of pressure — it can genuinely change your life.
Murakami’s words still echo in my mind:
> “The repetition itself becomes the important thing.”
Because that’s what transformation is — not a sudden change, but a rhythm you commit to, one peaceful morning at a time.
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Learn how to wake up at 5 a.m. every day with a compassionate, realistic approach. Inspired by Haruki Murakami’s morning routine, this guide shows how small, consistent habits can help you build peaceful mornings and a balanced life.
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