Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To hate it when the clocks go forward!

183 replies

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 29/03/2026 09:58

Not helped by the fact that I stupidly arranged an activity this morning at 11 a bit of a drive away, so we’re all on a schedule.

I’m going to feel out of sorts until October.

I’m a natural night owl and the sense that we’re on the wrong time never really leaves me.

I’d so love if we had a period of time when the clocks go back an extra hour, where we’re an hour behind GMT rather than either on it or ahead of it.

I don’t really care if I am BU tbh!

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 29/03/2026 10:50

ShowOfHands · 29/03/2026 10:07

Fortunately, my cat can't read the time so she accepts that her food arrives as normal and doesn't question. I sort of operate the same principle.

I'm also a night owl but the time on the clock won't change that either. Nothing has actually changed, only the way we measure time.

Of course it's changed. I need to get up an hour earlier to be where I want to be. I hate it.

Notsosweetcaroline · 29/03/2026 10:48

I actively look forward to today, it means spring and summer are official, lighter morning and nights, warmer weather, summer clothes, flowers in the garden, all the good things really.

icantbelievet23432 · 29/03/2026 10:48

I hate the change but you can prepare for it and get yourself there slowly. Also it works better for your biology it's good to get active in the lighter hours so I'm not against it

I'm a night owl too

Statsquestion1 · 29/03/2026 10:48

2chocolateoranges · 29/03/2026 10:14

I just don’t understand when people say the clocks changing affects them.

just carry on as normal.

Same, I feel no different whatsoever.

shellyleppard · 29/03/2026 10:47

@LiviaDrusillaAugusta you are very welcome 🤗 💐🫂

Fizbosshoes · 29/03/2026 10:46

I find it really depressing when the clocks go back. I hate it being dark at eg 4.30pm.
I feel so much happier in January when I notice the days getting a bit longer

Isekaied · 29/03/2026 10:46

I hate the dark evenings and wish we could stay on this time throughout the year

LiviaDrusillaAugusta · 29/03/2026 10:45

shellyleppard · 29/03/2026 10:35

@LiviaDrusillaAugusta ha if only!!! 🤣🤣 My 3 spend most of the day either asleep or tearing round the house like maniacse🤣🤣 cat tax as per the rules ❤️

OMG they are adorable!! Your post has brightened up my morning 😊

Sartre · 29/03/2026 10:45

Agreed. I woke up at 7.30 like wow what a lie in, I never sleep past 6.30 usually. Then it clicked.

ultracynic · 29/03/2026 10:44

OchonAgusOchonOh · 29/03/2026 10:36

Says a lark.

I was reading an article yesterday that was reporting on research that showed night owls really suffer with the time change. It can take weeks to fully adjust.

I always feel jet lagged for at least a week or two. Then I sleep really badly for a few months although that’s more to do with the bright mornings. That’s despite the blackout blinds.

Show quote history

Not a lark at all, I’m a total total night owl. It was 2:20 (1:20 lol) when I went to bed and I’m never up early. I am, however, a grown up who doesn’t let an hour affect me for weeks or months on end!

DustyOmelette · 29/03/2026 10:44

OchonAgusOchonOh · 29/03/2026 10:40

The time going back doesn’t have the same impact on your circadian rhythms.

She stated she’s a night owl. That’s not bragging. I find larks tend to be judgemental of night owls. They seem to think it’s a moral failing if someone isn’t up at the crack of dawn.

Show quote history

No because I have literally never referred to myself like this.

I dont start conversations clarifying that "Oh I'm a lark you see" or "I find this so hard becasue I'm a lark". It just comes across as a bit well, ...wanky to be honest.

Also, you are 100% wrong about the clocks going back- studies show they can worsen SAD which causes depressive symptoms due to lack of light. Studies have even shown an increase of 8% in hospital admissions due to depression.

HoraceCope · 29/03/2026 10:42

my dog woke me, 4.30
i forgave her when i realised it was 5.30

Advocodo · 29/03/2026 10:41

Chemenger · 29/03/2026 10:30

I’m very happy; it means the cat gets up at 7 instead of 6 for a few weeks at least. I don’t find it hard to adjust. Changing the time on my car on the other hand, that’s a mystery.

We can never fathom out how to change the car clock too! Have given up on it,

OchonAgusOchonOh · 29/03/2026 10:40

DustyOmelette · 29/03/2026 10:34

Saying it will affect you for 6 months and going on about being a night owl is a bit silly. I am the opposite of a night owl but I dont moan and whinge when the clocks go back.

Why do people brag about being a "night owl" - its like they think it makes them special or something

The time going back doesn’t have the same impact on your circadian rhythms.

She stated she’s a night owl. That’s not bragging. I find larks tend to be judgemental of night owls. They seem to think it’s a moral failing if someone isn’t up at the crack of dawn.

Advocodo · 29/03/2026 10:39

I couldn’t understand too why I felt tired this am. I sensibly decided to stay in bed (forgotten about clock going forward) for an extra hour but then I don’t have kids or work.

WoahThreeAces · 29/03/2026 10:37

I'd forgotten they'd changed until I read this so I guess it doesn't affect me 😂 I did wonder how I'd managed to sleep in til 10am but I had a late night last night so put it down to that - it makes sense now!
Other than that, I can't see how it is going to make any difference to me.

OchonAgusOchonOh · 29/03/2026 10:36

ultracynic · 29/03/2026 10:02

Not unreasonable to dislike the clocks going forward, but totally unreasonable to think it will affect you for six months.

Just go to bed earlier tonight and crack on as normal tomorrow.

Says a lark.

I was reading an article yesterday that was reporting on research that showed night owls really suffer with the time change. It can take weeks to fully adjust.

I always feel jet lagged for at least a week or two. Then I sleep really badly for a few months although that’s more to do with the bright mornings. That’s despite the blackout blinds.

shellyleppard · 29/03/2026 10:35

@LiviaDrusillaAugusta ha if only!!! 🤣🤣 My 3 spend most of the day either asleep or tearing round the house like maniacse🤣🤣 cat tax as per the rules ❤️

To hate it when the clocks go forward!
To hate it when the clocks go forward!
To hate it when the clocks go forward!
DustyOmelette · 29/03/2026 10:34

Saying it will affect you for 6 months and going on about being a night owl is a bit silly. I am the opposite of a night owl but I dont moan and whinge when the clocks go back.

Why do people brag about being a "night owl" - its like they think it makes them special or something

Bombombomtralala · 29/03/2026 10:34

I’m an early riser and like this time of year but can see why night owls don’t like it.

Moltenpink · 29/03/2026 10:33

I leave the blinds open all year round and I find that by the time the clocks change, I’m already waking up earlier from the natural light.

CousinBette · 29/03/2026 10:33

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 29/03/2026 10:08

Yes so we have to do everything an hour earlier for the next seven months (it’s not six, it’s seven)

Show quote history

This is all in your head. Time is essentially a very human construct. Years ago you wouldn’t have had such an accurate knowledge of what time it actually is. You’d have gone by the sun. Humans are much more adaptable than you think. Get yourself outside more often in natural light and your body will do the rest. And best wishes from another night owl!

shellyleppard · 29/03/2026 10:32

@ILoveDaffodills I'm still planning my first breakfast 😁 have to take my medication on an empty stomach, then slept in with the time change

WhatAMarvelousTune · 29/03/2026 10:31

ShowOfHands · 29/03/2026 10:23

I just don't understand how it's the "wrong" time. Time remains the same. It's only the number on a clock that is different.

As an adult living in the world, you have commitments which revolve around the clock and you show up to them accordingly. If I have a meeting put back an hour or public transport is cancelled and I have to get a different bus an hour later, I just do it. The natural world and its circadian rhythms march on regardless. Part of living in society is following its expectations. Outside of this, I follow my body clock as its whims dictate. I never stop and angst over what the "real" time is. Time is illusory.

Totally agree.

I think anyone claiming that they feel off for 6 months because it’s the “wrong time” is being a bit dramatic. “Wrong time” compared to what - the made up time it was before?

Luckyingame · 29/03/2026 10:31

Same here, since childhood.
An avid hater of Spring and Summer as well.
But, cannot do anything about it.
Sympathy!

Swipe left for the next trending thread