If you’re reading this and your wall clock is still an hour behind your phone, congratulations—you’ve officially forgotten to spring forward for Daylight Saving Time! And just in case you need one last nudge, consider this your final warning: The time changed at 2 a.m. Sunday morning, and if you haven’t adjusted your clocks yet, you’re officially running late for life.
For those fortunate enough to rely on smartphones, the time corrected itself overnight. But if you’re still using an old-school wall clock, a stubborn oven timer, or a wristwatch you swear by, you might be an hour behind and unaware. If you showed up to work, church, or brunch looking confused while everyone else had already started without you, this might explain why.
Every year, on the second Sunday in March, most of the country—except for Arizona and Hawaii, which refuse to play along—pushes the clocks forward an hour to maximize daylight in the evening. The idea is to make better use of sunlight, giving people more time after work to enjoy the outdoors, finish projects, or simply feel like they’ve been gifted an extra hour of the day. The downside, of course, is losing an hour of precious sleep, making Monday morning feel like an uphill battle. For early risers, that darker morning can be rough, but at least there’s more daylight in the evening, which means more time for hiking, gardening, or just pretending you’ll finally get around to that home improvement project.
If you’ve ever wondered why we still go through this twice-a-year ritual, you’re not alone. Daylight Saving Time dates back to World War I, when the U.S. and European nations adopted it to conserve energy. The idea was that more daylight in the evening would mean less reliance on artificial lighting, ultimately saving electricity. However, modern studies suggest that the energy savings are minimal, if they exist at all. What it does accomplish, however, is creating widespread confusion every March and November while ensuring at least a handful of people show up late for work.
Oregon has a complicated relationship with Daylight Saving Time. In 2019, state lawmakers actually voted to make Daylight Saving Time permanent, meaning we would no longer have to change the clocks twice a year. However, the change required federal approval, which has yet to happen. So, until Congress decides to make it official, Oregonians will continue adjusting their clocks every spring and fall like clockwork—literally.
For those struggling to adjust, the best strategy is to ease into the change. Going to bed a little earlier can help, though most people will probably just stay up late and suffer through the groggy adjustment period. Using the extra daylight to get outside can also make the shift feel more worthwhile, whether it’s taking an evening walk, catching up on yard work, or just enjoying the fact that you’re not leaving work in complete darkness. And if you’re still feeling a little out of sync, just give yourself time—your body will adjust, eventually.
If you’re still living on Standard Time, it’s officially time to catch up. Move those clocks forward, embrace the longer evenings, and remember that in just a few months, you’ll get that hour of sleep back when we “fall back” in November. But for now, this is your last reminder: You’re an hour behind, so hurry up and change that clock before someone notices!
