How Waking Up at the Crack of Dawn Became My Superpower
"How come you wake up and work super early? It's crazy," they said.
Hello, fellow early birds (and night owls who are curious)!
I want to share a little story about how I became a devoted morning person, a habit that started way back in third grade and has stuck with me ever since. Trust me, it's not just about getting up early but what those quiet early hours have brought to my life.
It all started way back in third grade when life was a whirlwind of school and extracurricular activities. My parents were full-time office workers, and as the eldest child, I was quite the pampered kid. They enrolled me in everything from the best Islamic private school since playgroup to a range of courses—Kumon, English classes from Twinkle Little Star to Cambridge, not to mention the science clubs and swimming. Yeah, I was that kid. Spoiled, busy, and supposed to be talented by now. 😂
Despite all these opportunities, I faced my fair share of challenges, especially with Math and Science. The concepts I learned in Kumon didn't quite match up with what we were doing at school. It was confusing, to say the least, and I often found myself struggling to keep up.
That’s when my superhero mom came into the picture. She had a solution that changed everything: early morning study sessions. The catch? These sessions started at 3:30 AM. Yes, you read that right. Every day, I'd set my alarm, roll out of bed, and groggily make my way downstairs where my mom, ever the strategist, made everything seem a breeze—especially those tricky math problems.
"Why so early?" You might ask? Well, it was the only quiet time we could carve out before the day started, and it became our little ritual. Also, my mom would need to go to the office and work 9 to 5. Sitting on the carpet in the family room, with my folding table set up, I was ready to tackle any problem thrown my way with mom by my side until the Fajr prayer.
You see, my mom wasn’t just any mom. She was a teaching wizard! Even after leaving her office job, she continued teaching literally everything with students all over Jakarta (yes, she had ever established a foundation for her private course and hired some teachers to join her foundation). Her ability to simplify complex subjects was nothing short of magical.
So, what next?!
Fast forward to today, and I’m still riding that early morning wave. Working remotely for a company on EST, I have the freedom to choose my working hours. And guess what? I opted to start my day at 3 AM Indonesia time. Not only does this align perfectly with my internal clock, but it also comes with a sweet perk—a night shift bonus! This extra cash is my little treat, a self-reward that I earn while everyone else is still lost in their dreams. 🌟
Waking up at 3 AM might sound crazy to some, but for me, it’s been a game-changer. It’s not just about getting up early; it’s about what you do with that time. Whether it’s for studying, tahajjud, working, or just enjoying the quiet before the storm, those early hours can transform your day—and maybe even your life!
So, whether you're a morning person by choice or necessity, there's something undeniably rewarding about having those early hours to yourself. It’s quiet, peaceful, and oddly empowering. And as for the night shift bonus? Well, that’s just the cherry on top!
So, after reading to my story, are you tempted to set your alarm a bit earlier tomorrow?😜
