The Sleepy Artist: Chronotypes and Creativity

Hey, it’s Kizune! I have a confession.

I will never be a morning person no matter how hard I’ve tried.

Have you ever felt like something was wrong with you for lacking the ability to perform, mentally or physically, before noon? No matter how much sleep I get the night before, I AM not at my best until the PM. Not to mention sporadic bursts of creative energy post sundown… you know, when I’m supposed to be winding down for bed according to the societal 9-5 schedule. Conversely, there are those who just can’t get down with spontaneous twilight trips because they need to get enough sleep. Despite their best efforts to sleep in for once in their lifetime, they are guaranteed to be awake by 6AM regardless.

If either side of this spectrum has made you feel “wrong,” I’d like to convince you otherwise. So long as your diet, exercise, and mental health habits are being properly cared for, these personal quirks are most likely just your chronotype making itself known.

What is a chronotype, you may be wondering? Well, they are biological, natural predispositions that determine when we feel most alert, focused, and energized during a 24-hour period. Rooted in circadian biology, chronotypes help explain why some people leap out of bed at sunrise, while others hit their creative stride well after sunset. These patterns are not a matter of preference or habit, but are deeply influenced by genetics. Attempts to override your natural rhythm often lead to frustration, fatigue, or reduced productivity.

The science behind chronotypes has grown more robust in recent years, with researchers identifying morning types (“larks”), evening types (“owls”), and those who fall somewhere in between. These patterns are regulated by the suprachiasmatic nucleus in the brain, which responds to light cues and helps control the release of hormones like melatonin. Evening types, for example, often experience a delayed melatonin onset, meaning they don’t feel sleepy until much later at night and are naturally inclined to wake up later in the morning. (This biological wiring can make a 9-to-5 schedule feel oppressive to us “owls.”)

As a creative, being aware of your chronotype can have a major impact on your creative flow and overall well-being. For artists whose work often hinges on accessing deep focus or emotional resonance, fighting against your natural rhythm can attribute to artistic burnout. Embracing your chronotype, however, can open the door to more consistent creative output.

Personally, I’ve found that my most productive hours tend to fall in the mid afternoon and evening. Mornings feel like marching through a swamp, so I don’t attempt to create anything profound until later in the day. Instead, I’ll use the morning for coffee, day planning, and light communication for my business. Once the sun sets, my inspiration rises, and I’m good to get into my studio and make some magic.

By tailoring your schedule to align with your biological strengths, even if only partially, you might find your artistic practice becomes more intuitive. Whether that means carving out protected time in the evening for writing, painting, or composing, or simply giving yourself permission to not be a “morning person,” honoring your chronotype could be one of the most powerful tools in your creative toolkit. I hope this information helped to dismantle any preconceived notions of “when” people should be productive, successful, or creative; as well as remove the guilt from what is only your natural rhythm.

xoxo, Kizune

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