Teachable moments #42 - Why Waking Up Early Changed the Way I Show Up: For Myself and Others

If you live in Singapore, you know what mornings feel like.

The alarm goes off. You hit snooze (maybe twice). Then it’s straight into the rush — replying messages, checking emails, making breakfast, beating the MRT crowd or getting the kids ready. Before you even realise it, your day has already started for other people.

You’re reacting. Responding. Rushing.
And somewhere in that chaos, you get left behind.

I used to live like that too. I told myself, "I’m just not a morning person." But what I didn’t realise then was this: It wasn’t about being a “morning person”. It was about creating space — before the world needed me.

The Quiet That Belongs to You

The first time I tried waking up earlier — I mean really early, like before 6am — it felt a bit ridiculous. What was I going to do while the rest of the city was still asleep?

But then something strange happened: I liked the quiet.

No notifications. No demands. No pressure.

Just me. My thoughts. My breath. The soft light coming through the window. It felt like the first time in a long time I was with myself, not just passing through the day.

Even if all I did was stretch a little, sip tea slowly, or journal for ten minutes — it changed the tone of my entire day.

A Small Window, A Big Difference

Waking up early isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing what matters first — before the world asks you to do everything else.

For me, that looks like:

• Reading something nourishing instead of checking news updates

• Writing down my intentions instead of reacting to to-do lists

• Moving my body for 15–20 minutes instead of sitting in traffic right away

• Sometimes just sitting in silence, reminding myself I’m allowed to pause

That small window — before the meetings, messages, deadlines and duties — is mine. And having it reminds me that I’m a person before I’m a professional, a parent, a manager, a friend.

Why It Matters More Than Ever

In a city that moves as fast as ours, it’s easy to feel like we’re constantly playing catch-up. But when we start the day with intention — not reaction — we lead from a grounded place.

That doesn’t mean the rest of the day is perfect. Things still get stressful. Curveballs still come. But I’m more anchored. Less likely to spiral. More likely to respond with clarity instead of rushing on autopilot.

You Don’t Have to Wake at 5AM

I’m not here to say you need to wake up before sunrise and run 10km before breakfast.

But maybe just wake up 20 minutes earlier.

Give yourself the first slice of the day before giving the rest away.

Because you deserve that time.
And believe me — when you start showing up for yourself first, you show up better for everyone else too.

In the quiet moments before the world wakes up, we remember who we are — and who we want to be.

And that kind of clarity?
It’s worth getting out of bed for.