I Am Applying The Same Concept To My Sleep Schedule As I Did With My Daily Schedule

Last year I changed my sleeping schedule. I went from working on the overnights to adapting to Lisa's work schedule. That entailed going to bed fairly early and getting up between 3:30 - 4:00 a.m. For a while, I did okay. But now, not so much.

I want to throw up my hands and make this short and sweet by claiming that "I don't know why...."

But, I do.

Sort of.

As a writer and blogger, the quietest time to focus on content is during the overnight hours.

Lisa is sleeping. The kids are sleeping. Most of the world is sleeping.

It is very, very quiet.

I don't have to contend with the many noises outside of our home and the kids barking at 99% of those noises.

Over the months, I contemplated going back to my 3rd shift hours.

That former schedule included working on the overnight. Making Lisa a hot breakfast and packing her lunch for work.

Lisa got up at 4 a.m. and took the kids out and fed them breakfast. Lisa ate her breakfast. Lisa tucked me and the kids in before she left for work.

I would sleep until 10 a.m.

Lisa got home from work before 3 p.m.

We would have a very early dinner.

Then, I would nap for an hour or so.

We'd have family snuggle time on the sofa.

Then, I would tuck Lisa and the kids into bed.

I would work for the next 7-8 hours.

However.

A lot has happened since my former solid 3rd shift schedule.

In 2017, we adopted Willa.

Lisa's hours have changed at work. At times, she doesn't get home until 5-7:30 p.m.

My daytime hours are no longer quiet.

I spend a lot more time in the kitchen. A. Lot.

Going back to a 3rd shift schedule is not an option.

Instead of getting frustrated, I recently tried something.

As a Work at Home Dog Mom, it's almost near impossible to make a schedule at the beginning of the week for the entire week. I gave up on that a long time ago. I'm glad I did because my stress level decreased a considerable amount. With 4 kids, my work, housework, meal prep, cooking, baking, and Lisa's hours all over the charts, I take things day by day.

I decided to apply that same concept to my sleep schedule.

I threw that notion away from having a set schedule for sleep. I'm going to take it day by day.

For the past couple of months, I haven't stressed about falling asleep early and staying asleep all night. If I can't fall asleep early, instead of laying there looking at the clock and recalculating how many hours of sleep I'm losing because I'm not asleep yet, I work.

If I do manage to fall asleep early and wake up at 2:30 in the morning, I don't get worked up if I can't fall back to sleep. Instead, I'll work for a couple of hours until Lisa gets up.

With either scenario, I still get up to make Lisa a hot breakfast and lunch for work.  After she leaves for work, I do dishes or work stuff.

If the few hours that I did manage to get some sleep isn't enough, I allow myself to lay down with the kids and get the rest of my sleep between the hours of 8 a.m. - 10 a.m.

You know what?

It has worked.

I no longer stress about getting enough sleep.

I no longer stress about falling asleep by a certain time.

I no longer stress about waking up a few hours before the alarm goes off and not being able to fall asleep.

Sure, it's not conventional, but it works for me and our family.

It's all good.