My mom said something to me the other day that really stuck with me. Something that made me realize I had been draining myself for a little while with a need to be productive from the moment I open my eyes.

For context, I go to my “9-5” much earlier than 9am. I have a very early morning job, which means I do have quite the space in the afternoon of free time as I get off earlier than most people with normal jobs do.

But, for some reason or another, I have begun waking up at 4am to squeeze in a wor...