Key Takeaways
- 1The way you talk about yourself in your head often becomes the schedule you live out in real life.
- 2A 5 a.m. morning routine works best when it feels gentle and doable, not like punishment for past procrastination.
- 3You can honor your period and still be productive by adjusting the pace, not abandoning your intentions.
- 4Changing gyms or environments can shift your energy faster than any new planner or app.
- 5Fear loves to disguise itself as “I need more time,” yet most breakthroughs start with a messy, scary yes.
If you have ever searched “how to wake up at 5am and be productive” while still lying in bed, hi. It is me. I filmed this on a day where I decided to stop saying I “could not” wake up early and actually prove to myself that I can. My goal was simple: build a 5am morning routine that pulls me closer to my dream self, not just a cute aesthetic for TikTok.
I have been sharing my life on YouTube for almost a decade, so trust me when I say I have seen both disciplined Alyssa and “snooze five times then scroll for an hour” Alyssa.
This vlog started at 5:01 a.m., with me freezing in my apartment, already a little dramatic, and very aware that I could have stayed in bed. Here is what happened instead.
Why I Stopped Saying “I’m Just Not A Morning Person”
For a while I kept repeating the same lines to myself:
- “It is hard for me to wake up in the morning.”
- “I always sleep in.”
- “I need at least nine hours or I cannot function.”
Shockingly, my life started matching those exact sentences. I would set alarms, snooze them, then feel guilty and behind all day.
My words started to feel like little commands I was giving my brain. So this time I flipped the script. I told myself things like:
- “I get up with ease.”
- “I like being a morning person.”
- “Getting out of bed is simple for me.”
Did my bed still feel cozy at 5 a.m.? Absolutely. But I got up anyway. Not from motivation, from new self talk. Your mouth can bully you or support you. I decided mine needed to act like a coach, not a hater.
How Do I Actually Wake Up At 5am Without Snoozing 12 Times?
Here is what helped me pull myself out of bed on a cold morning without fighting for an hour:
-
Decide the story the night before.
I went to sleep already saying “I am waking up at 5” instead of “I will try.” My brain heard that. -
Give yourself a tiny first task.
Mine was warm lemon water with apple cider vinegar. Nothing deep. Nothing dramatic. Just “get up, go to the kitchen.” -
Move on autopilot for the first 10 minutes.
I did not overthink. I just heated the water, grabbed my journal, and sat down. -
Make it feel good, not like punishment.
Soft lighting, blanket, water, my book. If your 5 a.m. feels like detention, you will not keep it up.
Once you are up, you remember that mornings can actually feel peaceful. You just have to survive that first 30 seconds where your bed is begging you to stay.
What Does A 5am Morning Routine Look Like In Real Life?
No, I did not instantly become “that girl” with a 57 step routine. My morning looked like this:
- Warm lemon water with a splash of apple cider vinegar
- Journaling while mindlessly chugging water
- Reading 10 pages of a non fiction book
- Laptop work: emails, planning, clipping content for TikTok and Reels
- Breakfast and getting ready for the gym
I was reading One Million Followers, not just for numbers, but for deeper connection with my community. I time blocked an hour on my computer to clip YouTube moments that feel like real me, not just a cute thumbnail.
The point was not perfection. The point was to gently stack habits I want my “dream self” to have: reading, moving my body, drinking water, keeping my word to myself.
Being Productive On Your Period Without Bullying Yourself
Right when I felt proud of my early start, my body said “By the way, Shark Week.” Cramps came in hot, energy dropped, and suddenly my 5 a.m. productivity glowed a little less.
Old me would have pushed through and then wondered why I felt drained and irritated. This time I tried a softer approach:
- I still trained, but kept it realistic. Apartment gym instead of a full trip to my main gym.
- I let myself eat the Greek yogurt bowl with extra chocolate chips.
- I reminded myself that I already did the hardest part: waking up, moving my body, feeding myself.
You can be proud of your discipline and still listen to your body. That is not laziness, that is self respect. Your “dream self” is not a robot. She gets cramps and still shows up, just with a little more kindness.
New Gym, New Environment, New Version Of Me
Later that day, I checked out a new gym that had been on my mind. My old gym was fine, just not aligned with the version of me I keep seeing in my head. This new one? Younger crowd, better lighting, more energy, and a space just for girls.
I walked in, got a tour, and within minutes I knew: “Oh, this is my spot.” I even made friends at the front desk. One girl asked for my channel, subscribed on the spot, and we vibed immediately.
Sometimes your next level does not require a huge life change. It might just be a different room, different people, and a drive that is 15 minutes longer. Comfort feels safe, but your growth often hangs out across town.
When Fear Shows Up As “I Need More Time To Think”
That night, my cousin texted me about a model casting call in Miami. It was the next morning. Four hours away. My first reaction was pure fear dressed up as logic:
“I need more notice.”
“I am on my period.”
“I am not ready for that.”
Then I called myself out. I have driven longer for less. I have spent entire weekends in other cities just to hang out, but suddenly I could not drive a few hours for an opportunity? That did not add up.
So I said yes. I packed. I reminded myself that worst case, it would just be a fun day trip with my cousin and a story to tell. Best case, it could open doors I have prayed about for years.
Give Yourself Credit For Showing Up
By the end of the day, my cramps were cramping, my groceries were finally put away, and I had a whole early morning routine, gym visit, work session, and last minute Miami trip planned.
Did everything go “perfectly”? Absolutely not. I still had moments where I wanted to cry, sleep, scroll, or give up. The difference was I kept choosing small actions that matched the life I say I want.
You do not need a perfect 5 a.m. routine. You need proof that you can keep one tiny promise to yourself, even on a cold morning, even during Shark Week, even when your mood is loud.
Tonight, try this: pick one sentence you repeat that holds you back. Then rewrite it. Turn “I am not a morning person” into “I am learning how to enjoy slow, early mornings.” Say it out loud. Act like it is already you.
Your dream self is not waiting on a new year or a new planner. She is waiting on the moment you decide that your words, your choices, and your mornings actually belong to you.
