From Night Owl Gamer to 5am Dad - Identity Crisis?

5d ago1 min read

Man I don't even recognize myself anymore. Before kids I was up til 2-3am playing Call of Duty, sleeping til noon on weekends, and my entire identity was basically 'that guy who knows obscure music'. Now I'm genuinely excited about my 5am coffee before the kids wake up and I spent last Saturday researching the best toddler-proof latches instead of checking out new albums. I miss the freedom honestly, that feeling of being nobody's responsibility. But getting a hug from my 4yo because I'm the first person she sees in the morning hits different. Don't know if I traded my personality or just upgraded it.

8 comments151 views

Comments(8)

RRyanRegular3d ago

That 5am wake up is no joke though. I was the same way before my son was born - I'd be gaming until midnight easy. Now I'm up before dawn and somehow I don't even miss it? It's wild how your priorities just shift.

DDaniel R.Regular4d ago

I realized pretty quick that my old self wasn't actually better, just younger. Now I get pumped about different stuff like actually having energy to play with my kids instead of just existing next to them. The 5am thing sucks but the gaming hours weren't making me happy anyway, I think I was just avoiding real life.

EEricNew Dad4d ago

The identity crisis is real. I'm not gonna lie, I still think about those 3am gaming sessions. But here's the thing - 5am dad life has its own perks. Quiet time before everyone wakes up hits different.

DDerekNew Dad5d ago

Call of Duty at 2am vs watching your kids sleep peacefully at 5am. Sounds like an upgrade to me, even if your brain hasn't caught up yet. Give it time, man.

BBrandon H.Regular4d ago

I feel this in my soul. I went from being a night person to an early morning person overnight. Some days I mourn the old me, but then my kids do something cute and I'm like okay, this is better.

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JJustinNew Dad4d ago

Wait till you try to stay up late again when you get the chance. Your body will betray you. You'll be nodding off by 10pm wondering what happened to you.

BBrandon H.Regular4d ago

The identity crisis is real though. I went from staying up late to catch games to literally not knowing what day it is. But honestly after a couple years you stop mourning the old schedule. Your body just adjusts and suddenly you're that weird dad who's up before everyone.

RRob H.Regular4d ago

Dude I feel this so hard. Used to be a night owl too and now I'm up at 5am not by choice but because my kid's internal clock doesn't care about my gaming schedule. The worst part is when you get a rare night to yourself and you're too tired to even enjoy it.