I know what you’re thinking.
“Wyatt, you’re insane. Why would any high schooler ever want to get up at 5:45am on a weekend when they could sleep past ten?”
Just hold on a second. I know all of you out there probably think that waking up to six inches of snow and being told you have to shovel it is the worst punishment the world has to offer, but I’ve personally grown to cherish this mandatory activity, and I know you can too. Here are some of the benefits you can start thinking about to keep a positive outlook next time you’re forced outside in the cold.
Shoveling warms up your muscles and amps you up to take on the day.
Personally, I always feel a little groggy immediately after I wake up, and it takes me a while before I start to feel good about myself and be productive. On days when snow lines the driveway and I force myself outside, the refreshing cold sends a shock to my system that tells my brain it’s time to get down to business.
Shoveling is also the perfect level of intensity for some light morning exercise. I always find that after shoveling, my muscles feel stretched, but not fatigued like you’d feel after a workout. It’s a perfect balance that makes you feel active and ready to keep the momentum going.
It has a satisfying end point.
I’m a sucker for some instant gratification every once in a while. Shoveling is one such activity with a visible reward waiting for you at the end. I find great satisfaction in admiring the cleared off driveway, and take great pride in knowing that my work will now allow me to drive my car into the street and give people walking on the sidewalk a clean path to follow.
You can always do more of it.
“Wyatt. Now I’m really convinced. You are insane.”
Wait, wait, wait. Hear me out. Sure, choosing to do extra shoveling seems unthinkable, but I find it to be one of the most rewarding things you can do.
My next-door neighbors have a baby and a toddler. I know they have quite a bit on their hands, so as long as I have the time, I take a few extra minutes to shovel off their walkway and help take a bit of load off their backs.
Doing this makes me feel really happy with myself because I know they appreciate it. Science backs me up on this as well. An article from UC Berkeley compiled a couple of psychological studies done on the topic, concluding that not only do our acts of kindness make us happy, it creates a positive feedback loop- the happier we feel as a result of their kindness, the more inclined we are to act kindly again, which in turn increases our happiness even more.
Shoveling builds a sense of community.
I often never leave the house during the winter, which means I almost never interact with the people in my neighborhood in the same ways I might during the summer. However, I find that shoveling can often form an immediate bond between two people working through the same problem of the snowstorm.
Just yesterday, I was shoveling off the walkway and ran into one of my neighbors doing the same thing as we met at our property line. He asked me how high school was going and what my plans were for college. I told him I was planning on studying computer science, and, as it turns out, his son is doing the same thing. We then exchanged a bit of small talk that just helps me feel a connection with the people I’ve been living next door to for the past fifteen years.
Maybe small talk isn’t your thing (it usually isn’t mine either), but you can’t deny that shoveling led me to get to know the people around me better, and I think that’s something you should learn to value too.
I really hope I’ve convinced you that shoveling can really be a great thing. Though, frankly, even if you’re still on the fence, you should think about these benefits the next time you have to do it anyway. I know your parents aren’t just going to give up their free labor just because you’re a little too tired. You’re going to have to shovel whether you like it or not. So? You might as well like it, in that case. Change your outlook and start taking this seemingly mundane chore as a positive opportunity. That’s the way I do it.
Hi Wyatt,
This is going to sound incredibly privileged and terrible, but I have never really shoveled snow all that much myself, as my family always hires a snow removal company to do the work for us. I’ve always wanted to try this chore though, as it seems like a good way to learn about responsibility and selflessness. I love getting to know people and making small talk about random topics, and I love how you said that shoveling helped you know your neighbors a little bit better. Additionally, the sight of a clear driveway (especially by your own doing) definitely does sound super satisfying—all the more reason to shovel.
Wyatt,
I love this blog and I completely agree. I am actually obsessed with shoveling. The feeling I get when I finish up shoveling and come inside and have a nice cup of coffee is so wonderful. I always get excited when its snowing at night so that I can wake up early to shovel! I also really love the sound of my shovel scraping the driveway. Like you mentioned, it is so nice to start off the day being productive and accomplishing something. I haven’t felt the sense of community you describe but hopefully one day I will! But honestly I dont think I will ever stop waking up early to shovel as it is one of my favorite winter activities. Next time it snows I will be sure to ask my neighbors if they need help as well.
Hey Wyatt,
I really enjoyed this post! I also relish the instant gratification I get whenever I finish shoveling, however I’ve never gotten up so early in the morning to do so. Recently, though, I’ve been trying to break my habit of sleeping in so late. I feel waking up early and getting to work (whether it be shoveling or any other task) is so much better for your health than sleeping the day away. While it is difficult to break such a habit, I understand how much better I will feel if I can turn just a few hours a day into something much more productive. For this reason,I’ll definitely keep shoveling in mind when I’m looking for my next source of motivation to wake up early! Great read!
Hey Wyatt,
As a self-diagnosed morning person, this post caught my eye with it’s title. Perhaps it was also because last week, I felt the same inclination to shovel my driveway before school started as opposed to letting it drag on through the day and doing it when I know I would rather be doing something else. It definitely is a bit of workout, too. I feel extremely accomplished after doing most manual tasks, and shoveling is no exception. The “You can always do more of it.” is where I draw the line, however. The satisfying end point that you mention is only satisfying if it is in fact an end point. Sure, excess gratification may come from shoveling your neighbor’s driveway, but I’ll take what I get from shoveling mine.
Wyatt,
I’ve read your blog, and I still think that I won’t wake up to shovel at 5 am. Now, I know you may think I didn’t take anything away from your blog. But that simply isn’t true. I understand all the benefits of shoveling. My family and I make an occasion of it, all four of us hauling away the snow in our respective quadrants. But, the best time to do it is at noon, or after school. Usually, the snow freezes overnight and can be hard to scrape. If you do it at noon or later in the day, the sun has had time to soften up the snow and makes it easier to lift. As a proper midwesterner, I’ve shoveled my fair share. I’ll never enjoy the activity; that’s just the way it is. But, I understand your points here regardless. It’s why some people wake up at dawn to exercise. It offers the same benefits, while also completing a bothersome chore. The thing is, I’d prefer to go n a run or lift some weights. Sure they provide the same exertion, but I don’t end up clammy with old sweat and my fingers freezing. Some people like cardio and others light CrossFit. We simply do not share the same fitness Language, and that’s okay! regardless, I will continue to shovel my snow at noon or 3, and you will at 5 am. We all still shovel snow, and I think that connects northerners in a special way. If my Texan cousin had to shovel snow, I’m pretty sure she’d give in within 10 minutes.