I Woke up at 5am for a year *was It worth it?!*

Summary

Keltie O’Connor reflects on waking up consistently at 5 a.m. for a year and asks whether it improved her productivity and well-being. The schedule helped her focus on work, finish music-production school, spend less time scrolling, and make more time for herself. However, it sometimes left her exhausted and limited her social life.

Her conclusion is that an early schedule can work well for some people, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of adequate sleep, relationships, or enjoyment.

Strategies and Tips

• Audit your time: Track a typical day to find time you could reclaim. Keltie found that late-night scrolling and online shopping took up hours without helping her rest.
• Shift your schedule gradually: Move your bedtime and wake-up time earlier in small increments rather than abruptly switching to 5 a.m.
• Prioritize your evening routine: Keep it simple and focused on getting to bed on time. An elaborate routine can become another source of stress.
• Create a relaxing wind-down: Lower the lights, shower, do skincare, have tea or a treat, and give yourself time to unwind. Keltie found that limiting endless scrolling helped her relax.
• Make your bedroom inviting: A cool room, blackout blinds, and a comfortable bed can make going to bed more appealing than staying on the couch.
• Reduce nighttime phone use: Keltie used the Opal app to block social media, read magazines instead of browsing, and set her phone to a red-toned display in bed. She also used a low-stakes app as a small incentive to get into bed.
• Make mornings appealing and simple: Give yourself something to look forward to, such as coffee or matcha. Keltie kept her morning routine to five basics: wake up, take a moment for herself, make a to-do list, get dressed in a way that boosts her confidence, and get moving.
• Protect your sleep: Don’t wake early by sacrificing needed rest. Keltie emphasizes getting 7–9 hours of sleep and noticing whether early mornings leave you tired or less focused during the day.
• Check whether the habit still serves you: Healthy routines can be useful during a particular season of life, but they’re worth reassessing. A strict schedule may support focus—or become isolating and overly restrictive.
• Treat it as an experiment, not a rule: Test a change for a limited period and judge it by its effects on productivity, energy, social life, and overall happiness. Keltie plans to wake later in summer.

Presenters and Sources

• Presenter: Keltie O’Connor
• Sponsor mentioned: LMNT (referred to as “Element” in the subtitles)
• Other source mentioned: Huberman-related productivity and wellness content