I'm A Morning Person, What Are You?

A morning person too? Or a night owl?

Our windowsill capturing the glowy, morning light

I always think this is an interesting topic and maybe I'm wrong, but I think your answer to this question tends to say a lot about who you are.

I am most certainly a morning person. I set my alarm for 6:30 every day (even weekends) and sleeping in always makes me feel a little guilty, like I've shortened my day and wasted the best hours of it, to boot. (Although going back to bed with a cup of tea and a book is just about the greatest guilty pleasure I have.) I love the morning quiet and witnessing light come into the world, watching it change from grey to pink to yellow. The routines of morning are comforting to me. Making tea and grabbing my computer to write, often talking to my mom on the phone, eating a healthy breakfast. Even when my first few waking hours were more hectic--up at 6, out the door by 7 armed with music books, my lunch, a travel mug, and a metro card--I still liked my mornings best. There's such a freshness and energy about the hours before noon.

In college and grad school, I always made a point to do most of my practicing in the early part of the day and was amazed by friends of mine who would stay in the practice rooms until midnight or later. My mind--not to mention my fingers--just weren't up for late-night workouts. And in my opinion, "pulling an all-nighter" (which I've never done) is just about the worst thing anyone could possibly put themselves through. The mere idea of no sleep for 24 hours or more makes me ill. Not only am I a morning person, but I don't do well on little sleep.

It's a good thing I'm not embarrassed to admit that I'm an old soul because, once again, this particular trait of mine pegs me as just that. I'm sure I don't have to tell you that most 25-year-olds are not morning people. And I think most of them are much more fun in the hours after 9 pm than I am, too!

So here's my theory: I think that "night owls," by and large, tend to be energized by interacting with other people and being in an environment that is awake and active, whereas "morning people" seek the quietness of a world that is still a bit sleepy and use this time to recharge.

Is this obvious? Or way off base? Or just a completely boring topic??

I guess this post is stemming from my belief that there's something to be discovered in seemingly mundane human tendencies and preferences--winter or summer? white or red? Apple or PC? milk or dark?--and that we can learn a lot about ourselves by paying attention to even our smallest, simplest quirks and choices.

Psychologist Kate, signing off now.

On Being An Introvert

To all of you introverts reading this, today's post is for you!

This seemed to me like an appropriate photo for this post. Just me, my husband behind the camera, and the sheep of Napa Valley.

As a true introvert, I don't particularly like being at the center of attention. I've always been this way and I don't expect that I will ever change in this regard. But what I do like is all of the media attention being given to introverts as a whole. A few weeks ago, I watched this wise and refreshing TED talk on introversion, and just yesterday I stumbled upon an article that lists 23 signs that you're indeed an introvert. I highly recommend checking them both out--if you consider yourself an introvert I can assure you that they'll resonate with you--and I have to say that it's great to see this ongoing effort to make introversion better understood.

After reading the article yesterday, I was amazed at how many of the 23 "signs" were true for me. It was almost uncanny! Here are some that are spot-on.

Networking makes you feel like a phony.
I'm terrible at marketing myself, and the idea of "using my connections" for personal gain makes me uncomfortable. I know it's the way of the world, but I can't shake the feeling that it's cheating, somehow.

Downtime doesn't feel unproductive to you.
I often feel most stimulated and creative and at peace when I'm reading a book and drinking a cup of tea. I feel very engaged and mindful during these times.

You start to shut down after you've been active for too long.
Absolutely. After a lot of chatting/socializing/mingling, I certainly begin to feel the need to escape for some quiet time. I also really appreciate coming home after a vacation--I thrive on my simple, quiet routines.

You're in a relationship with an extrovert.
One of the things I love about my husband is that we balance each other out. He's actually become more introverted as the years go on, but he's always been very comfortable and relaxed and lively around groups of people.

You'd rather be an expert at one thing than try to do everything.
My introverted Dad taught me this one. He always told us that it's better to excel at one thing than to be mediocre at a lot of things. Thanks Dad--that advice has served me well.

You have a constantly running inner monologue. 
Oh yes. I've written about my overactive, over-thinking mind before.

You've been called an "old soul"--since your 20s.
A jigsaw puzzle with my husband on a Saturday evening is my idea of perfect.

You're a writer.
Need I elaborate?


What about you? Are you extroverted, introverted, or a perfect mix of the two? I'd love to hear about what makes you tick.