Build your PEACE
Build Your Peace
There’s something serene about 5 AM. The world is still, the sky is dark, and there are no texts, calls, or obligations pulling you in different directions. It’s a time that feels untouched by the chaos of life—a rare opportunity to exist purely for yourself. For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved early mornings. During college, I cherished the luxury of waking up early, working out, showering, and enjoying a quiet moment before classes began. But when I transitioned to corporate life six months ago, mornings became a source of dread.
In college, my time was my own to structure. I didn’t have to dive into responsibilities until 10 AM or even noon. But in the corporate world, the demands started as soon as the alarm went off. I told myself there was no way I could wake up early enough to work out like I used to. "I’ll just exercise after work," I thought. But it didn’t take long for that routine to unravel me.
Mornings became a rush of getting ready and heading straight to the office. I felt like I was constantly running on autopilot, with no space to breathe or think. After work, I would drag myself to the gym, feeling exhausted and unmotivated, and I was never satisfied with my workouts. Slowly, my mental health began to decline. I felt stuck in a loop of negativity, unmotivated, and detached from myself. The post-grad transition left me lost, without the grounding routines that had once defined my life.
A Decision to Change
One morning, I decided enough was enough. I set my alarm for 5 AM and made a promise to myself: I’m going to work out before work. To be honest, that first morning was rough. I wanted to stay in bed, tempted to hit snooze and silence the persistent alarm. But I thought about how drained and disconnected I’d been feeling over the past few months, and that was enough to push me out of bed. I got dressed, drank my coffee, and headed to the gym.
It wasn’t easy at first, but after a few days, something started to shift. I began looking forward to those early mornings. The stillness of dawn, the sense of accomplishment from moving my body before the day began—it all felt like a gift to myself. No matter what happened during the day, I could hold on to the pride of knowing I had already shown up for myself.
Refining the Routine
Once I established the habit of working out at 5 AM, I realized something was still missing. Between getting dressed and leaving for the gym, I would find myself scrolling through my phone. Sometimes I was catching up on missed texts; other times, I mindlessly wandered through TikTok. But starting my day immersed in a screen left me feeling… off. It wasn’t the kind of energy I wanted for my mornings.
I’d always wanted to try affirmations and visualization, but they never stuck. One bad day would leave me abandoning the practice altogether, or I’d get frustrated when things didn’t change as quickly as I hoped. This time, I decided to approach it differently. My goal wasn’t perfection or immediate results—it was simply to create a morning I looked forward to.
So, I started journaling. In the time between getting dressed and heading to the gym, I wrote without expectations. Some days, I listed affirmations: I am motivated and disciplined. I live a life surrounded by positive, supportive communities. Other days, I kept it simple, writing down three things I was grateful for. Most mornings, it was the same three things—my family, movement, and my peaceful morning.
The Transformation
What started as a simple decision to wake up earlier began to ripple through my life. It didn’t magically fix everything. The anxiety didn’t disappear, and I still had to navigate the challenges of post-grad life. But my mornings gave me something consistent to hold onto—a moment of calm in the storm. I had a routine that was just for me, a small accomplishment I could feel proud of every single day.
My morning is now my peace. It’s my time to exist without distractions or obligations, to show up for myself and no one else. And it has taught me an invaluable lesson: you have to build your peace. It doesn’t have to be dramatic or life-changing. It just has to be something small that brings you hope, relief, or pride.
In a world that constantly demands your attention, find the time and space to prioritize you. Maybe it’s journaling, a quiet walk, a cup of coffee, or a simple workout. Whatever it is, make it yours. Build your peace—because even the smallest moments of stillness can transform your life.