F*ck the 5AM Club: Embrace Your Own Rhythms and Let Go of the Guilt
For years, I tried to force myself into the 5AM Club.
You know, that magical club where waking up at the crack of dawn somehow makes you more productive, more grounded, and supposedly more spiritual? I bought into the hype, thinking that this was the secret I was missing — if I just woke up early, I’d finally be the best version of myself. As a wellness guide and yoga teacher, I felt the pressure to live up to the ideal of being “perfectly balanced.”
So, I kept pushing myself, trying to fit in, believing that the secret to wellness was waking up before the sun.
But here’s the hard truth: It never worked for me. In fact, it did the opposite — it made me feel like crap. Every time I tried to force myself into this mold, I ended up feeling even more burned out and disconnected.
If you’ve ever read books like The 5AM Club, you know the drill: wake up early, rise and shine, be more productive, achieve more. But the truth they don’t tell you? These books are just another part of the hustle culture, designed to make us feel like we’re not enough unless we’re constantly doing more. But what does that really get us?
Guilt. Shame. And an overwhelming sense that we’re never doing enough.
Waking up at 5AM didn’t make me more disciplined or productive — it made me feel disconnected from my body and my needs. But here’s the thing — I was trying to force myself into a system that wasn’t made for me. I was trying to fit into an idea of wellness that didn’t align with my natural rhythms, and I wasn’t the only one.
As a yoga teacher, I was constantly told that the “real” practice happens early in the morning. Some lineages even recommend practicing 2–3 hours before dawn to maximize spiritual benefits. But every time I tried to follow these “rules,” I felt like a failure. I wasn’t failing — I was just trying to force myself into something that didn’t work for me.
Here’s what I’ve learned: when we force ourselves to fit into boxes that weren’t made for us, it sets off a chain reaction. We beat ourselves up for not following the rules, which leads to feeling disconnected in other areas of our lives. We’re too tired to exercise, too drained to connect with loved ones, and too overwhelmed to enjoy the things that bring us joy. It’s like we’re just going through the motions, and we’re running on empty.
Don’t get me wrong — I’m not suggesting that we all skip work, sleep in, and never take responsibility. We all have obligations, and sometimes we have to wake up early. But trying to force yourself to wake up at 5AM just because someone else said it’s the “right” thing to do? That’s not wellness — that’s just more pressure.
Here’s the truth: our worth isn’t measured by how early we rise or how much we squeeze into our day. It’s about the quality of our time, not how much we can fit into it.
Living in the Pacific Northwest has taught me to honor the seasons and the natural rhythms of my body. In the summer, I rise with the sun, and it feels natural. But in the winter? The sun doesn’t rise until almost 9 AM. And you know what? I’m not getting up at 5 AM. It just doesn’t make sense for me. I don’t need to force myself to conform to someone else’s idea of “wellness.” My body’s needs are valid, and so are yours.
The pressure to wake up at the crack of dawn and be productive is exhausting. But for neurodivergent people, it can be even more draining. We’re already expected to fit into the world’s idea of what’s healthy, productive, and acceptable — and it only leaves us feeling more disconnected and ashamed of who we really are.
What I’m saying is this: wellness is not about following someone else’s rules. It’s about learning to listen to your own body, your own needs, and responding to them with kindness — not guilt. I’ve learned that my body needs rest, and that’s okay. You don’t need anyone’s permission to take care of yourself in the way that feels right for you.
So, here’s my challenge: stop buying into the idea that you’re doing something wrong because you’re not doing things the way others say you should. Life is not a checklist. Your path is yours to create, and if that means waking up when your body is ready, then so be it. Honor your body’s rhythms, trust yourself, and release the guilt.
Wellness is about what works for you — not what works for someone else.
