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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To take an hour or more to get going in a morning

108 replies

Mitzimaybe · 21/06/2018 15:13

I'm a night owl, not a lark. I'm better some days than others but, most days, when I first get up I kind of stagger around like a zombie for a while. It takes me quite a while (and usually some caffeine) to turn into a human. Consequently I always allow at least an hour between when I get up and when I have to leave the house, usually more.

My husband, on the other hand, takes about 15 minutes from getting up to leaving the house. To be fair, he has his shower before bed and I prefer to shower in a morning, also I see to the cats which he doesn't have to do, so obviously that takes me longer.

My boss at work has told me it's not normal to take more than 5-10 minutes to become fully functional in a morning and that I should talk to my doctor about it. I think that's ridiculous. AIBU or is he?

OP posts:
greendale17 · 21/06/2018 15:14

An hour to wake up and get functioning? No that isn’t normal

sleeveface · 21/06/2018 15:15

I'm with you op. Never been a morning person and never will!

MyOtherUsernameisaPun · 21/06/2018 15:16

It depends on what you mean by fully functioning! I think taking an hour to get from waking up to leaving the house is totally normal - most people would need the same or more. But if it's an hour from waking up to getting to the point of being able to do anything at all, I would think you probably needed more sleep.

Thesearmsofmine · 21/06/2018 15:16

I’m the same. I need a slow start to the day.

teaandtoast · 21/06/2018 15:16

Your boss is obviously a lark!

KirstenRaymonde · 21/06/2018 15:16

I take a while, and a couple of coffees, for my brain to kick in in the morning. I don’t like to rush and always feel confused if I don’t get some waking up time. My DP is like yours, up and out in 15. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with either.

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 21/06/2018 15:17

I think it’s normal. I’m also not a morning person.

I snooze my alarm from 0650 to 0800 (well, DH does - no idea why he sets it so early!) and I get up at 8 to be in work for 9. Shower, make up and off I go. Normally ok by the time I get to work.

WeeBeasties · 21/06/2018 15:17

I am exactly the same. I'm not even a night owl. I go to bed at 10, wake up at 6:30, and my body feels like it's made of lead for a good 40 mins. I've had all sorts of bloods and checks at the doctors and there's nothing wrong with me. I truly believe it's just how I am.

I really envy people that can spring awake.

Mookatron · 21/06/2018 15:18

If there is nothing else wrong, you get to work on time, and its not affecting your life negatively you would be laughed out of the doctor's office, frankly.

HildaZelda · 21/06/2018 15:19

It depends on what you have to do to be honest. I leave myself about an hour. This includes breakfast, shower, make up and hair. It takes a while to dry and straighten my hair and yes, I do wear make up everyday.

DH has moaned before about 'why does it take you so long to get ready'? He stopped when I pointed out to him that he's bald, so in and out of the shower in two minutes, no faffing about with shampoo and conditioner, won't have to worry about drying and straightening his hair afterwards and no need to worry about make up either.

Literally all he does is 2 minute shower, gets dressed and quick bowl of cereal.

I suspect your boss and husband may be the same way.

LeighaJ · 21/06/2018 15:20

It's my normal too OP.

Although partly because I have an extreme dislike of my face and head being wet when I first wake up. Bathing at night wakes me up though instead of relaxing me or I'd just shower the night before.

BakedBeeeen · 21/06/2018 15:21

My DH is the same as you, OP. I used to think he was lazy, but now I know it just takes a while to get his cogs whirring. He is quicker now than he used to be, having children has changed his body clock, but he still hates having to make any decisions soon after he has woken up! And I know not to ask any important questions early in the morning!!

XiCi · 21/06/2018 15:21

Yes perfectly normal if you are a 'night' person. IME people who are bright and breezy early in the morning tend to be tired later on and go to bed early whereas I feel awful in the morning but am really productive later on, always have been.
To suggest that you go to the Dr because you're not a morning person is ridiculous. Is he one of those people that thinks anyone who is different to him is weird?

Bluntness100 · 21/06/2018 15:22

This is me. It's totally normal.

However it depends on your definition of functioning. I'm up and getting ready having coffee etc, but no way I'd be leaving the house 10-15 mins after getting up. That's abnormal to me.

lardymclardy · 21/06/2018 15:25

I need an hour. I'd rather get up at 6, have a couple of cups of tea then get in the shower at 7. DD is awake by then. She dresses herself at 8, has some breakfast and then we leave for school and me on to work.

I just like the peace in the morning. I imagine it's different to those who don't have to sort the kids out. I used to be at work for 7.30 when it was just me...

WolfMcWolferson · 21/06/2018 15:28

Takes me a long time to get going. I'm much better when I have a couple of hours before I need to be anywhere. Fine in the evening!

SaucyJack · 21/06/2018 15:33

I'm the same as you.

I need time to contemplate my navel with a large coffee and a vape before I'm good for anything.

thecatsthecats · 21/06/2018 15:36

Would an extra half hour in bed do you any good?

I only ask because I'm an evening person, and found it made no difference to what I could get done to stay in bed another half hour rather than zombie around for a full hour.

JaneJeffer · 21/06/2018 15:37

I'm not a morning person either. I hate having to rush off before I feel awake. I hate people talking to me as well. Music is acceptable.

Morning people always think their way is the right way. Annoying idiots.

MikeUniformMike · 21/06/2018 15:37

I'm the same as you. DP can be out in minutes. I need to start slowly with radio, coffee and book then go out. I wake up early but enjoy lazing for about 2 hrs before I get going. I am an owl and usually fall asleep pretty much as soon as I hit the mattress.

lovetheway · 21/06/2018 15:38

I'm the same. I need the time to acclimatise to being vertical and awake. If I had to leave in 15 mins I would feel ruffled all day.

Thingywhatsit · 21/06/2018 15:42

I am not a morning person - my alarm goes off at 6. I don't get out of bed til 6.15 as need a gentle start to do the day. Generally I am ready by 7.10 depending on if it's a hair wash day or not. I then get youngest ready and aim to leave house by 7.40.

Turmericky · 21/06/2018 15:43

Why would your boss even know how long it takes you to get going in the morning....unless you're consistently late for work. You simply set your alarm to allow you enough time to do what you want and need to do.
My first outside the house commitment is 7.50. My alarm goes off at 5.50 because I like to have a coffee and a little catch up on the news (whilst slouched at the kitchen table) before I do anything else. I don't even think sbout the shower till 6.30 or so.
If I can't fulfil that 7.50 commitment, that's when it becomes anyone else's business.

Lweji · 21/06/2018 15:43

How many hours do you sleep?

DeckSofa · 21/06/2018 15:43

Me too. I woke up at 6am this morning but it was due to the light, not having had enough sleep! I still took as long as usual to feel more awake.