The only time I've been a morning riser is when I was in high school. The moment I got into college, it's been a slow decline down hill, especially after I stopped doing 6am McDonald's shifts. I've always had elaborate wake up schemes, including a series of alarms, different music, setting tea to brew on a timer in hopes the smell and the promise would get me out of bed, an alarm clock for the deaf that shakes the bed, QR codes in the bathroom to turn off alarms, caffeine pills, sunlight alarms, you name it. This bitch just loves to sleep.
I haven't bothered with new schemes for a few years because of freelance, but I can't deny the satisfaction from getting work done during the day and before my anxiety ramps up. Plus I have a lot of reasons to get done early, including spending more time with my girlfriend and friends.
The new scheme comes from noticing that since I moved back to Michigan, the lack of sunlight makes it even harder to wake up and get out of bed. Minnesota was in a high pressure system, so even if it was cold as balls, it was mostly sunny.
So I have my standard alarm going off at 9pm, a clip from a jokey Elden Ring video that starts with "ARISE! YE TARNISHED!", because it still makes me laugh. Then, for an hour before, the smart bulbs in my room will go through a fake sunrise, peaking at 9am. AND THEN, I also set up my light alarm clock and pointed it directly at my face. And then I have my ADHD meds taped to my nightstand leg (my cat loves knocking things off to get attention), and I can take those to keep me awake and start the day.
Will it work? Hard to say, but it's worth a shot. Can't say I haven't tried lol
