I have had posted and talked about this many times before. The whole, “Morning Birds” vs. “Night Owls” conversation is usually met with huge support from my fellow Owls, even if it will never change a thing. Of course, the Birds usually cannot relate, and assume Owls are just lazy.
So this is directed toward you Birds, on behalf of us Owls. You are not better because you can wake up at 5am. There is no award for it. What is this pride from you Birds? “Oh, I wake up before 6am every day!” Good for you? You win? Why the heck do we have this underlying superiority for the Birds out there?
I hate mornings. I always wake up late, and I’m not ready for human interaction for a couple hours. BUT. If you would like me to complete a task at 10pm, I will be all over that. I would love, so much, if I was allowed to sleep in until 10 every day. You think I’m lazy, don’t you? WHY? Why the heck is it assumed that someone who wants to sleep until 9 or 10 is lazy? If I stay up until 2 am, wouldn’t that be the same as someone going to bed at 10pm and waking up at 5 or 6 am? If I were to make all the Birds stay up until 1am, I would be considered cruel! There is no way that would be acceptable. I could say, “Just let your body adjust. You’ll get used to it eventually. Just drink some coffee, you should be able to be productive that late. Otherwise, you’re just being lazy.”
This last summer was amazing for me. My youngest was 4, so, for the first time on over a decade, I wasn’t woke by a child. She could (with the help of siblings) dress herself and get breakfast. Also, I am self employed. So I set my own schedule. You follow me here? I was able to be a Night Owl! I, for the first time since I can remember, was allowed to let myself go to sleep when I was tired, and wake when my body wanted to. I was up until 2 or 3 am every night. IT WAS AMAZING. I was happy, rested, productive, and absolutely loving life. I did receive a lot of “Oh it must be nice to be able to sleep the day away” or “I could never sleep in that late, I have way too much to get done during the day.” Guess what Birds, I had a lot to do too. And I actually got them done! Not being in a constant state of fatigue and exhaustion allowed me to make the most of my hours in the day.
The school started for the kids. I was so sad to have to say goodbye to that beautiful, wonderful, summer. I cried. Then, I sucked it up, like we Owls have to, and just hold on to knowing next summer is just a few more months away. Two of my 3 kids are also Owls. They also cannot wait until the summer.
Unfortunately, this will not change the world. I would love to have the kids school go from 10-5 instead of 8-3. I would be happy if we could adjust meals, banks, schools, sports, etc, for us Owls. I live in a constant state of exhaustion. Because I don’t get to decide these things. I can tell my body it needs to go to sleep at 10, it doesn’t mean it’s going to listen. So you Birds out there, cut us some slack. Because our entire society is set up for you. We have to conform. There is no award for your body’s desire to be up early, and you are not better than us. Your “I wake up at…” brags are wasted on me. Because I am not impressed, just irritated.
thatbethy 