I HATE daylight savings

Embracing—or Dreading—Daylight Saving Time: A Personal Look at the Annual Clock Shift

I’ve always felt a little twinge of dread as we approach early March. My evenings feel rushed, my mornings chaotic—and the culprit is Daylight Saving Time. It’s that moment when we all collectively “spring forward” by one hour, supposedly to enjoy more sunlight at the end of the day. Starting this Sunday, the sun won’t set until after 7 p.m., and I can’t deny there’s something satisfying about leaving work while it’s still bright out. But if I’m being honest, I’d gladly trade an extra hour of evening light for an extra hour of sleep.

This year, Daylight Saving Time kicks in at 2 a.m. on March 9, and I find myself wincing at the thought of losing that precious hour. A lot of people mistakenly believe DST was created for farmers—perhaps due to the image of early risers working the fields—but in reality, it dates back to Germany’s World War I-era effort to conserve fuel. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 then made DST a national standard in the U.S. Over the years, it’s evolved—even extended by Congress in 2005—to begin the second Sunday of March and end the first Sunday of November.

Of course, not everyone is on board with DST. Hawaii and Arizona have mostly opted out, bypassing the frenzy altogether. Sometimes, I find myself daydreaming of living in a place where I never have to flip my clocks twice a year. In fact, Senator Marco Rubio sponsored legislation to end Daylight Saving Time nationwide, and I was excited by the prospect that he might persuade the powers-that-be to finally do away with it. But so far, there simply isn’t enough support in Congress to make that happen. For those of us who spend the first week of DST nursing yawns and extra cups of coffee, it’s a real disappointment.

One downside I’ve noticed personally—and which is backed by research—is how the sudden loss of an hour can exacerbate already poor driving habits. People are groggy, rushing around with one less hour of sleep under their belts, and this fatigue can lead to increased traffic accidents. Even a slight change in routine can throw off our internal clocks, making us more prone to careless mistakes on the road.

Despite my gripes, many people love the shift. After all, an extra hour of daylight can mean evening walks, grilling in the backyard, or simply not driving home in the dark. There’s an economic angle, too—local businesses sometimes benefit when folks feel more inclined to go out after work. Still, I can’t help thinking we pay a steeper price in lost sleep and heightened safety risks.

One bright spot (pun intended) in this annual change is the friendly reminder it brings. Fire departments recommend using the start of DST as a cue to change the batteries in smoke alarms. It’s also a good time to check NOAA weather radios, in case of unexpected emergencies. Even if you’re groggy, you’ll be glad you made these small but important updates.

By November 2, we’ll be “falling back” again—another sudden shift in our schedules. Whether you’re a fan of the extended twilight or eagerly awaiting the day we abandon the practice altogether, Daylight Saving Time is here to stay, at least for now. So, set your clocks forward, double-check those smoke alarm batteries, and hang in there. We’ll get through this groggy week one yawn at a time—and if we’re lucky, maybe next year will bring fresh momentum to end the clock-changing dance once and for all.