My goal of getting up at 5:30 AM failed 4 days in a week. I did the first 3 days without hitting the “Stop” button. It was way harder than I expected to get back to my Lark Routine since I’ve been spoiling myself with too much cozy bedding time in the mornings. Am I feeling defeated or discouraged? No way. I’ll try again this week.

The odds of failing to get up are 4/7. Not too bad! I’m pretty happy with those 3 days where I did get up & enjoyed the mornings with running or workout by the pool. I still love myself as always, & I did manage to go to sleep before 10 most nights. That was impressive. I know it won’t be easy to stay motivated all the time or be that crazy disciplined woman. I like the mix of every good & bad in me. I trust myself in making progress gradually over time.

So obviously, from the past week’s performance, I can see clearly that I’m not ready for a morning routine as strict as waking up every day at 5:30. That can be too brutal. But am I giving up on trying to get back to the morning person I used to be? No way!!!

I. Am I A Morning Person?

Speaking of the “morning person I used to be,” I had a second thought recently—like, when was the last time I got up around 6 AM & went out for a run or something? The memory is vivid—last year in June, after I got back from my 2-month solo trip. But as I think deeper, I realize that period lasted only about 2 weeks, even though I tend to share those mornings with so much pride while most of my friends were still asleep. So could it be that my memory cheated me somehow? I was never a lark person by nature. I remember those mornings that I woke up and went running, which is exactly the reason why I always kind of want to become that ideal version of me—getting up early & feeling refreshed.

II. Let’s Reset To 6:00 Am – Start Small

Seeing the reality more clearly, I changed my alarm to 6:00 AM. Actually, my goal is to start my morning before 7 AM. That would make a huge difference already. Since my work schedule is more flexible, I usually get up around 9 AM. If I can manage to get up at 7 AM, that would already be great progress. I think, over time, I will just naturally become that impressive someone who gets up at 5:30 as a routine.

People change gradually. Don’t hate yourself if you fail from time to time—or quite often, even. Keep adjusting, take baby steps. Even in the end, what’s the worst that could happen? What if we don’t turn out to be the person we dream about? The process of you pushing through & never just failing without trying again will be a glorious memory.

III. Happier Is A Sweet Word

I tend to believe that, overall, our existence is meaningless. What we need to do is create & label some meaning for ourselves. Like how I somehow set my New Year’s resolution last year in February. I started to update weekly on my blog. I didn’t make it every week, but 90% of the time, I did. Not to mention, I completed my first “75 Hard Challenge” on Instagram. That was pretty impressive.

You may ask, as I sometimes self-doubt too: Did you get better as a person? Did you get rich somehow? Did you…?

I don’t know. My answer now is blunt—no. Not many followed my blog. After the “75 Hard Challenge,” no magic epiphany happened to change my life overall. But what’s the point? I think I spent most of last year HAPPIER compared to the year before. I didn’t actually achieve anything tangible. But I lived most of my 365 days with fulfillment & joy. How to prove it? I look at my photos. I see myself aging with peaceful smiles & laughter. That’s the best proof I ever need & want.

The sound of rain is soooo amazingly loud now, tempting me to dance in the rain somehow. Hope you are able to hear it too.

Will I get up early tomorrow to start my day with peace & ease? I can’t promise you, I won’t force myself. But I will, for sure, get up for the day.

Keep reading, I’ll keep you updated on this little experiment I’m on now!