I work in the school system, so my hours are typically 8-4ish.

I take meds with a sedative effect at night to help my brain shut up so I can go to sleep at all. During summers and holidays, my sleep schedule gets turned upside down because I fall into a rhythm of staying up late and sleeping in. It's what has always felt best for my body, and before I started taking meds that knock me out, it's what my body would naturally gravitate to. I enjoy being a night owl when my schedule permits.

During the academic year, I'm able to force a steady schedule - in bed by 10, asleep by 11. I only need about half an hour to get freshened up for work (I'm an evening shower person) and I eat my breakfast once I'm there because I'm not hungry first thing in the morning. But I always feel rushed and anxious and annoyed because I'm cutting it close. If I press snooze even once I'm late to work.

I have a couple of Morning Friends who've told me their mornings are like my nights: quiet and serene because nobody else is awake, and they have time to move a little slower and take good care of their needs before work. I love it in theory, but it doesn't seem to matter how good my sleep hygiene is. I always wake up feeling like I'd rather pull a tooth out than drag myself out of bed.

I used to take stimulants and can't anymore, but even when I woke up at 6 to take them I still couldn't get out of bed until I really had to.

I'm at a loss. I take my meds regularly, try to eat dinner early and avoid late night snacking, stay off electronics before sleep, all the other shit that's usually recommended. I'm able to get in bed and fall asleep at a decent time but my mornings are still like pulling teeth. I can't say I've ever woken up feeling "refreshed" and ready for the day.

So, how do y'all do it? Are you able to get up when your alarm goes off? What gets you out of bed? School is starting next week and I just want to find a way to make my mornings less miserable.