joining the 5am club: a hard launch?
- Peehu Agarwal
- Jun 23
- 14 min read
well, it's a story that goes back to 2021, when I first stumbled upon Robin Sharma's "The 5 AM Club." The book laid out a simple, yet seemingly magical concept: the 20/20/20 rule. The idea was to dedicate the first hour of your day – 20 minutes to exercise, 20 minutes to reflection, and 20 minutes to learning or planning (the "move/reflect/grow" trio). Sharma promised this "proven neuroscience-based practice" would unlock hidden talents and propel you towards success. Back then, fueled by a burst of initial excitement, I dove in. day one was a breeze. Then came day two, day three, and soon, the consistency crumbled. The 5 AM alarm started to feel like a personal attack, and I found myself scoffing, "Getting up at 5 a.m. every day? That's just empty talk from productivity gurus!"
Later, in my junior year, I found myself thinking about doing the 5 AM club again. but I barely had time from making breakfast to packing lunch boxes for my sister and I.. I told myself I'd restart as a CAS project, once I found friends to run with, scaling it into a full-blown club across Mumbai, running at Marine Drive—dreaming big, but never actually doing it. It wasn't until my senior year, right before board exams, that I actually started running at 6 AM for 30 minutes with a friend. I needed to curb the stress, and it was way less time-consuming than going to the gym and free! with fresh air!
Now that high school's over, and my sleep is a bit screwed up, with moving and hectic schedule at an internship. it's time for a major reset. Sometimes you just gotta overhaul your life to get back on track. Some people dye their hair, chop off bangs, get pierced. Well I thought about doing those things too but i thought about 5am again. I've had reading articles about Michelle Obama getting up at 4:30 AM, Indra Nooyi at 5 AM for coffee and emails, even Kris Jenner's up at 4 AM, workout, shower, full makeup, all before an 8 AM meeting, my grandmother wakes up at 5 doing yoga and affirmations. Something about waking up early must be working right?
So, here I am, Day 0. No crazy extremes, no promises I can't keep—just 33 days of waking up at 5 AM to build a routine that actually sticks. Mindful, productive, sustainable.
Will this change my life for good? I honestly don't know. But I'll be posting a weekly log just to keep myself accountable and show up.
DAY 1/33 Waking up at 5 AM today felt surprisingly easy. That initial jolt of excitement, the thrill of starting something new, pulled me out of bed with a good dose of motivation. I kicked things off with my favourite 7-minute warm-up of mobility, posture exercises, and stretches. Then i put my running shoes and ran 3km around my neighbourhood.
Next, I settled down for reflection, positioning myself to soak in the early morning sun. Part of me joked it was for my greying hairs, But seriously, a lot of depression is linked to Vitamin D deficiency. Reflection was the hardest part. As someone whose mind is a constant blur of thoughts, putting them down on paper felt like trying to catch smoke. So, I started with some guiding questions: What are my values? What are my core strengths? What are people saying about me when I’m not there?
To my surprise, the 20 minutes flew by. This exercise was incredibly insightful. It helped me connect the dots between my choices and my values, reminding me of skills I've developed and even some abilities i have lost.
The book literally starts with him running in Oregon. I could practically feel the breeze and the clean trail. Made me think, "I need to find something like that here in Mumbai." I seriously couldn't put the book down. Ended up spending the rest of my morning (and, no joke, the entire day) just devouring that book. So much for sticking to the plan! here's Nike’s first ad and it eats!
Day 2/33 The alarm buzzed at 5:26 AM today. A slight slip from 5, but still early! I headed straight to the balcony, chasing that morning sunlight for a quick "charge-up." Then, it was into my warm-up stretches, focusing on mobility and tackling that pesky neck hump from slouching over a desk. After that, I went down ran around my building for approx 3-4km, did bit of power walk. With 20 mins up i still decided to powered through a minute of jump rope. With a busy day ahead, I quickly planned out my to-do list, making sure all my tasks and administrative work would be completed by the end of the day. Finished reading Shoe Dog until about 7ish, with some protein-packed overnight oats. This quote from the book is gonna be in my head all day:
But my hope was that when I failed, if I failed, I’d fail quickly, so I’d have enough time, enough years, to implement all the hard-won lessons. I wasn’t much for setting goals, but this goal kept flashing through my mind every day until it became my internal chant: Fail fast.
Day 5/33
Woke up at 5:15 AM today. Ugh, that moment when your alarm blares in the pitch black is just the worst. But I've found a trick: count to 3, and on "3," just get out of bed and head straight for the sun. It really helps. Today, I ran 5km. Hoped to finish in 20 minutes, but it took longer. Guess I gotta do this more often. Later, I meditated for 15 minutes. I've switched to meditating for the second segment because the past few days have been pretty stressful, and I just needed some focus and clarity. Meditating is hard, even though I've done yoga for years. A tip that helps me is to focus on the spot between your eyebrows – the "bindu." That usually helps me keep my focus on breathing without my mind wandering. General rule: if my mind wanders, you just start again.
I actually finished Shoe Dog on Day 3 – I just couldn't put it down! So, I've now started reading a book of quotes by Steve Jobs. I usually just read two or three pages to get some inspiration. I actually wanted to read bit more non-fiction so i have been stealing books from my dad's library. some habit's die hard I guess. After a week of successfully waking up early, I've already noticed a huge difference. I have dedicated time in the mornings to "do bits," which gives me a real head start, especially since the past few days have been hectic. I did slip up on Day 2 and 3 by taking afternoon naps, which in turn made me sleep later and wake up later. Start sucking and learn i guess!
Day 6/33
Woke up at 5:28 or something today. My legs were pretty sore from running and dumbbell exercises last night, so I kept the movement light. Started with some mobility exercises [link], then moved into my usual yoga stretches: tadasana for my achilles, cobra pose for my lower back, and a few other key stretches. finished off with 3 sets of jump rope, 60 counts each. then it was time for breakfast – made some absolutely banging baked oats in the air fryer. They're so easy, super high in protein, tastes like desset, and takes literally 2 minutes to get ready, and about 8 to bake. shared the recipe on recipe tab, go check it out!
Day 8/33 I wake up for the sunrises now. The clarity I get from them is just wild. when that first ray of sun kisses me, I feel completely healed. I often think of it as my father giving me his early morning kisses, so safe, so warm.
Day 10/33
Quote I read today
"Any person capable of angering you becomes your master; he can anger you only when you permit yourself to be disturbed by him." — Epicurus
Day 12/33
Woke up at 5:45 AM today and got ready. Chugged a glass of water, then inhaled a banana in three bites. My friend decided to join me for a run today. We went to the sanjay national gandhi park, they have amazing trails to run. Finally found me those trails that phil talked about.
why is it so humbling to take pictures of running. We did 14km, mixing running, jogging, and brisk walking. Followed it up with some banging misal pav. Got back home, ended with a minute of jump rope.
Took a shower and finally filled out that ITR form. Ugh.
DAY 13/33
Woke up at 5:20ish today and got ready. Chugged a glass of water, had soaked almonds. Went to the national park again! this time solo. AND GUESS WHAT??? I saw chital - they are deer that are common in india, apparently its pretty common to have deer walk along here in national park.
DAY 14/33
Reading "How to Win Friends and Influence People." Biggest takeaway so far: The other person is all that matters when you're dealing with people—making them like you, getting them to see things your way, leading them. It's always about the other person
DAY 15/33
Woohoo, we're almost halfway there! Looking back at the past two weeks, a few things have really clicked for me:
Waking up at 5 AM, especially as a self-proclaimed night owl, is no joke. It's harder than I thought. Some days I've woken up at 6, some at 7, and I've come to realize that the "5 AM Club" isn't just about a magic number where life suddenly falls into place. The truth is, life is dynamic. It's about knowing when to rest and when to push. While waking up early definitely has its benefits, don't get trapped into thinking you're failing just because you didn't hit 5 AM exactly. The goal is progress, not perfection—consistency over perfection.
What you do after 5 AM truly matters. It's about being productive, not just doomscrolling or staring at the sun (because the sun isn't your competition, you are!). I've stopped sticking to the rigid 20/20/20 ethos. I found it too inflexible for me.
Changing 20/20/20 according to your own needs: I've realized that high-intensity workouts early in the day aren't usually suitable for me. If I do them, I tend to feel tired by the afternoon, and with my strength training sessions at the gym in the evening, I end up fatigued and my body just can't take it. So, I now do yoga three days a week and run on the other two, sometimes with friends. I start with a minute of Tadasana, followed by a couple of reps of Paschimottanasana, Chakrasana, Dhanurasana, Vrikshasana, Sarvangasana,and I always end with 30 counts of Suryanamaskar.
I also make sure to dedicate at least 15 minutes to something nourishing that's unrelated to my studies or work every day, and I always plan out my day. This usually involves reflecting on the previous day: What was the worst thing you did yesterday? What good decision did you make yesterday? Any acts of kindness? This practice has been a game-changer for my reflection sessions; I've started noticing patterns in my day that need to be eliminated or that have significantly improved.
Taking a shower before the last session of studying or reading makes a huge difference. I tend to get sweaty after my workouts, and a shower really helps me feel re-energized and focused on the task at hand, ready to truly start the day.
Day 16/33
I woke up at 6 AM today, chugged a glass of water, and made a quick trip to the loo. Feeling a little down, I decided to just sit in the balcony, doing some gentle shoulder and neck stretches. I tried to get into my usual exercise routine, but my heart just wasn't in it. So, instead, I soaked up some glorious Vitamin D from the sun, enjoying the cool breeze before the sticky, humid heat truly kicks in. Afterwards, I indulged in a long, refreshing shower, then made myself a lovely apple-cinnamon oatmeal with some green tea.Then I messed around with a new milk powder recipe for my sister.
Day 17/33
Found a guava tree in the park today. Seriously, can you even believe it? Wow! That totally lifted my gloomy mood from the past few days. Just makes me appreciate nature even more.
Day 19/33
This is a question that often plagues me: How do you truly remember what you read? I frequently forget books I've read just a few weeks ago, while others, even from five years ago, stick with me. Is it the quality of the book? Most of the time, this happens with non-fiction; they often feel repetitive, and the lines blur between some of them. It's a real puzzle! F Finished my session today by making boiled apples sprinkled with cinnamon and Moong Dal ka Cheela, which I'd soaked overnight. Boiled apples have been my hyperfixation lately. talk about eating like a toddler
Day 21/33
I literally only wake up for the sunrises. Today's a bit gloomy, though, after that heavy rain yesterday. But you know what? I actually love gloomy days, no idea why. Especially when its gray and angry. after the monsoon – everything just feels so green and lush. Seriously lucky to get to wake up to this every single morning. Also look at my plants all my babies are growing. yes im a plant mother.
Day 23/33
I've been consistently waking up at 5:30 AM lately, and here are three things that have genuinely stopped me from hitting that snooze button:
Leave the comfort cycle. This is a big one. I place my alarm across the room every night, forcing me to get up and walk a distance just to press snooze. When comfort isn't an option, action is the only choice. And don't forget the 3-second rule! Count to three and get up on the third beat; don't give your brain time to think about it.
Hydrate your system immediately. Keep a bottle of water right by your bed. This simple yet powerful trick has science behind it! When you wake up, your body is naturally dehydrated from hours of sleep. Chugging water immediately jolts your system awake, making you feel instantly refreshed, and it conveniently triggers the need for a trip to the loo!
Trigger natural light straight away. Step outside into the sun, or at least open your window for some fresh air. When you first wake up, your brain is still sleepy. Exposure to natural light signals your body that it's time to start the day, helping to reset your internal clock.
Baby steps, big girl wins – that's how we roll!
Day 25/33
Day 27/33
Wow, I can't believe I'm on the home stretch! The past week has been a bit tiring. I almost jinxed myself after Day 23 by patting myself on the back for waking up at 5:30 consistently. But thankfully, Day 25, I was back on track. I've mostly been sleeping by 9 PM every night, but the next two days are going to be hectic, meaning late nights are inevitable. Does that mean I won't wake up early? No, I'll still wake up, just a bit later if needed. But I genuinely feel like I've built a bit of an internal alarm clock now; I mostly wake up around 5:40 AM by myself. Even if I do wake up later, I'm committed to doing at least 20 minutes of movement in front of the sun, and a minimum of some planning or reading. Today, I woke up at 5:32 AM, did 20 Suryanamaskars, and some shoulder stretches.
I also started a new book: Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows by Balli Kaur Jaswal. This novel follows Nikki, a modern British-Sikh woman who takes a job teaching what she thinks will be a creative writing class for Punjabi widows at a community center in Southall. When the widows discover a book of erotic stories, they begin sharing their own tales of desire, revealing their hidden longings and challenging community taboos. Jaswal masterfully balances this joyful sexual awakening with a darker subplot about community surveillance and honor killings. The widows' stories become powerful acts of resistance against the cultural silencing of female desire, particularly for older women often presumed to be asexual after their husbands' deaths. It makes you wonder: what freedoms can be found within tradition rather than abandoning it entirely? Jaswal’s warm humor and genuine affection for her characters create a beautiful celebration of female sexuality and solidarity across generational divides. It also raises questions about who gets to tell stories about desire, and who must listen in silence.
Sorry for the mini-review! I ended the session with my daily booster juice (shared in the recipes tab!) and some delicious omelets with crunchy cucumbers.
Day 28/33 me, my iphone 7 and us against the world. no seriously the pictures i get are amazing.
Day 29/33
Day 30/33
I've been toying with the idea of starting a new challenge. What do you think I should do next? Maybe 100 days of Suryanamaskar? Or try to relearn how to do a handstand—I can't believe I've forgotten! Or perhaps, I should just see if I can maintain this routine without any specific challenge.
Anyway, here's a quote I read today:
"Tradition becomes our security, and when the mind is secure it is in decay." ― J. Krishnamurti
Day 31/33
Day 34/33
I can't believe I did it! I woke up at 5... or 5:30... or at least before 6 AM every single day. And I truly tried my best to get in at least 20 minutes of exercise, at least 15 minutes of reflection/meditation, and 20 minutes of studying, reading, or learning something new to grow!
So, what has this changed? Well, so many things and I say that as someone who was a hard cynic just over four weeks ago. Suddenly, I have time to "do bits" in the morning, without the relentless ticking of time weighing down on me (because you have lots of it when you wake up at 5 AM; who knew?).
My day-to-day motivation for work has increased a bit atleast early in the morning. I'm able to flow more freely through my tasks and feel genuinely excited by the projects I take on again. I'm also less stressed, thanks to that early head start on the day. I now have time to plan out my to-do list, and even start online courses that require only 20 minutes each day—courses I would have found overwhelming to navigate alongside my daily tasks before.
All of this might seem predictable, but surprisingly, even my friendships have improved. Not because we're making plans for 7 AM (shoutout to Sara for those runs!), but because I now have time to reply to WhatsApp messages early in the morning, knowing people won't reply immediately. This allows me to clear out notifications with less anxiety, creating a more peaceful start to the day.
Sure, there are still things that go wrong in my day, moments where I feel at a breaking point, and tasks I run out of time to do. But there's also the constant reassurance that in just a few short hours, I'll have the chance to catch up, to reset again, tomorrow at 5.
While waking up early definitely has its benefits, don't get trapped into thinking you're failing just because you didn't hit 5 AM exactly. Honestly at start some days I woke up at 6, some at 7, and some at even 9, "5am club" is not about a magic number where life suddenly falls into place. It is the act of doing for, the act of proving to my self that i can be consistent with it.
Also, since I set no specific results I wanted to achieve after this – like, 'oh, I should be leaner,' or 'I should be able to finish three, four, or six books by the end of it' – I had absolutely no pressure. As a perfectionist, it was liberating not to worry about the outcome. My only goal was to wake up and do it. No end results, just show up, and I think that's the only reason I could actually stick with this.
A book I really need to thank for this whole thing is Shoe Dog. Honestly, if I hadn't started reading it right when I began this experiment, I probably wouldn't have kept going. On the very first day, I stumbled across this excerpt where Phil talks about having no goals or results, and that idea seriously shaped my mindset for this entire experiment.
So many people critique it, but man, it's just so engaging. It's a really light, short memoir – honestly great for a younger age group(12-16). It describes running so well; you can really see the vision.
“The cowards never started and the weak died along the way. That leaves us, ladies and gentlemen. Us.”
Update: Day 50
I've still been waking up early in the morning, though I've shifted the time to 6 AM. This gives me a bit more sleep while still allowing me to complete all my tasks before the day really kicks off. I've also started a new challenge: 60 days of Suryanamaskar! I'll be writing a reflection on that soon.
