I’ve never been a morning person. In high school, I rolled out of bed, jumped in the shower, pulled my hair into a ponytail, and grabbed a Pop-Tart on my way out the door and into homeroom. In college, I scheduled my classes after 10am — with the exception of an 8am Psych class during freshmen year, which I only made it to with help from my hallmates.
And for the past five years I’ve worked in an office within three miles of my apartment. I had it down to a science. Alarm rings at 7:40. Hit snooze until 7:49. Hit snooze again until 7:58. Finally get out of bed at 8:00. Shower, dress, dry hair, apply makeup, eat cereal, take coffee to go. I was at my desk by 9:00.
But those glory days have come to an end. I now live roughly 50 miles from my office and spend just under two hours on the road every weekday — at least it’s a pretty, peaceful drive.
As a result of my new daily commute, I’m more appreciative of my time at home. I’m encouraged to wake up earlier so I can get home earlier.
Nick and I sit down to bowls of cereal by 7:10, and I’m on the road with a travel mug of coffee by 7:20. Steve Inskeep and Renee Montagne keep me company in the morning, and the good folks of All Things Considered are with me in the evening.
Because I’m out of bed early, I need to be in bed early. We try to wind down our days by 10pm, which is much easier now that our favorite shows like LOST and Parenthood have ended. (In fact, we’re considering cutting our cable — fodder for another post.)
So what do you do to get going in the morning? Do you have a long commute? If so, how do you pass the time?
{photo credit author’s personal collection}
Staying up for Parenthood was killing my weekly schedule!!! Cable is worth it just for that and of course Masterpiece Mystery!
I have a two-hour commute (one way), and NPR is what gets me through, as well! This post strikes such a chord with me — I used to love staying up late reading, and then just barely making it out the door with time for juice in the morning. Now that I have such a long commute, and have to be up at 4:30am, I’m nodding off by 9pm!
Twitter: @amiatead
i am SO not a morning person so i commend you for being able to make it work! i roll out of bed around 8 and am in the office by 9. my commute is a measly 12 minutes – the joys of living in the city!
ps – my friend laura gets up at 4AM to get to work and i think she’s crazy!
@Leika Next time I complain about my 50-minute commute, I’ll think of you! (And your friend, @Ami)
.-= Emily’s most recent blog post: Spa Day (in photos) =-.
Twitter: @rimabean
Luckily, I live above my studio (which doesn’t open until 11 a.m.) and so I am able to sleep-in most days. However, we go to bed pretty late most nights, so I’m probably not getting any more sleep than you are in the grand scheme of things. Reading your post made me realize how much I take my current situation for granted… It’s definitely something to appreciate!