I am awakened by an analog alarm clock.
"There is a great yet very ordinary secret. All people are part of it, everyone knows it, but very few ever think about it. Most people simply accept it and are not at all surprised by it. This secret is time."
Recently, I rediscovered the story of "Momo," written by Michael Ende, and I am amazed at how relevant his message is today in the digital age: the smoking gray men, who promise efficiency – and in the end, no one has any more time and everyone is chasing after an empty promise.
I lived for a year without a smartphone, and today I have one again. But I was able to retain a few attentions from the analog era. Like the mobile-free area of my bed. And so, I am awakened by an analog alarm clock. Not at 5 a.m. (as in the late summer, when I was keen to try out this rhythm), but at a time that allows me to start the day slowly and calmly, so I have time for a tea and can write undisturbed, without being immediately overwhelmed by the outside world.
Instead of getting up early in the morning, I appreciate the extra hours of sleep in the winter, similar to animals and plants that go into hibernation. It is a time of retreat and recovery, which I allow myself. Although I cannot ignore my duties, I have adapted my calendar so that I am undisturbed in the morning. An alarm clock by the bed is one way to do this and to maintain a spatial distance from the smartphone.
Now, having embraced this practice in winter, I experience my mornings quite differently. My new daily rhythm means going to bed earlier, so I feel rested the next day. The analog alarm clock that wakes me creates a peaceful atmosphere in which I can gather my thoughts before starting the day.
I sit down in my favorite spot and use the quiet hours to write and organize my thoughts. This morning ritual gives me the opportunity to start the day without being influenced by the outside world. This time for myself is a valuable resource in a world that is constantly in motion and where time is often scarce.
I believe it's important to find a personal rhythm that suits you and promotes well-being. For me, it's now getting up later and the quiet morning hour that helps me start the day calmly. For others, it might be a different time that allows them to find a moment for themselves in their daily routine.
What helped me establish my new morning rhythm was the conscious decision to distance myself from the hustle of the digital world. The alarm clock by the bed is a symbol that I start the day in my own way, without being immediately overwhelmed by messages, emails, or social media. It's a small ritual that helps me start my day consciously and with intention.
The transition to this new rhythm was initially an adjustment, but it has paid off. I feel more balanced and more in harmony with my natural rhythm, especially in the winter months when the days are shorter and the nights are longer.
"He thought for some time. Then he continued: 'You must never think about the whole street at once, do you understand? You have to think only about the next step, the next breath, the next sweep of the broom. And always just about the next.'” (Beppo the street sweeper from Momo)
I think these words from "Momo" reflect my current life philosophy: to focus on the moment and appreciate the small steps that lead us through the day. It's not about getting more out of the day, but about consciously experiencing and enjoying the day.
“The whole world is a big story, and we play along in it.”
With this quote from Michael Ende, I want to remind us that life is full of possibilities. We can choose our own paths and shape our days in ways that bring us joy and fulfillment. It's important to remember that we have the choice in how we use our time and how we shape our daily lives. And even with small decisions like how we choose to be woken up. In a world often driven by speed and efficiency, it's a valuable act to consciously choose a slower, more thoughtful path.
Clara is a Punkt. community member and her report was featured in Zeit Magazine.
Clara Hahn lives in Berlin with her 4-year-old daughter. She founded Fired Up Space, a platform for career change during the first corona lockdown. With a group of 30 coaches, she offers free coaching for people who are registered job seekers in Germany. Her mission is to destigmatize professional crises and contribute to a society where people are not only identified by what they do but by who they are. Clara was also part of the founding team of Checkin, a startup from the makers of meetup. Remote working taught her the importance of analogue moments in our fast-moving world.
