Just about my entire life, I’ve been a big ol’ sleepy head.

Waking up in the morning was painful. I sounded like Chewbacca getting out of bed. This wasn’t just as a kid. This is up until . . . earlier this year.

Some people say, “Well, that’s the way I am. I hate mornings… ” like there is nothing you can do about it, but there is something you can do about it. It’s not just the way you are, it is a habit that you have developed and chosen to stick with.  Habits can be changed.

I do have preferences and honestly, I love sleep. But do I need to get out of bed like it’s painful? Absolutely not. Anticipating it’s going to be painful is what makes it painful. Early morning flights used to make me sick, literally. I would tell myself that I felt so shitty being up that early that sometimes I would actually get sick. Now, if I have an early flight I embrace it and think, “I’m going to wake up at 4:00am because I get to hop on a giant metal object and trot around the globe, and maybe even have a Cinnabon at the airport.” It gets me excited and out of bed painlessly. I sometimes also volunteer to drive my friends to the airport if they have an early flight. It’s not a big deal. They appreciate it and I enjoy doing it. Another reason to start my day early and get a bagel. Sweet.

Lately I’ve been getting up at 5:30am for morning hikes. How great it feels to be outside that early! I’ve noticed people who get up early are happy people. Every single person who’s up with you is smiling. It’s like starting the day with a big fat YES.

Creating a new habit takes work. Surely there are still times when I sound like Chewbacca when getting out of bed, or plop down on the couch for a two hour nap. Breaking a habit takes practice and a willingness to do so, but the good news is, it can be changed.