What is it about sleep? It seems when you need it most it’s unavailable. At least that’s how it is for me. When my life gets too hectic I wake up in the middle of the night and can’t get back to sleep.
Usually I just lie there and…
listen to my husband snore
list in my head all the things I have to do (tomorrow, next week, next month)
mentally write the numbers from 20 to 1 on a blackboard and then erase them
play mental word games and find words that rhyme
poke my husband in the shoulder so he’ll turn over and stop snoring
listen to the automatic sprinklers come on
watch the moonlight on the walls
list things I’m grateful for
think about how tired I am
think about the emails I need to send…
Lately though I’ve been getting up and going into my little office to actually send out the emails. And then I’ve been checking on blogs from around the world. I find it comforting to think that there are people up and about and living their lives and a enjoying themselves at this very moment . And while it’s 4:15 am here, it might be 2:15 in Seville or evening in Thailand … and I’m not the only person awake in the dark
We’re working on the little downstairs suite to get it ready for the young student couple that will be renting it this winter while going to university. Yesterday I painted the walls of the bathroom and tomorrow we’re going to replace the floor—among other things. Well, I’m feeling tired now. Better try going back to sleep.
I know I’m not the only one with insomnia. Any suggestions on how to get through those quiet dark hours are welcome.
joanna - i spend my waking time (usually between 2 and 4 in the morning) solving as many of the world's problems as possible. that way when everybody wakes up, the world's fixed!!! there you go!!! (actually i do almost exactly what you do . . . . .) have a restful day. naps are magic!! steven
ReplyDeletei've found for me that getting up and doing something works better than laying there trying so hard to get to sleep. reading tends to work better than blogging as blogging is very engaging and keeps my mind whirling.
ReplyDeletegood luck fixing up the studio. how fun to be renting it out!! and to students!
When I have trouble getting back to sleep, I practice tai chi in my mind. I picture myself beginning with the bow and then try to work through one of the forms. When I wake up in the morning, I realize that I didn't get past the third move. Never have. Now that's relaxation.
ReplyDeleteHi! I don't have the problem of not sleeping, but I do feel for you. I agree that its nice to think there are other people awake around the world.I love to check my comments when I wake up because over night is the time that friends from Australia and North America have been to visit.Its quite exciting! Sarah ( I found you through Gail's blog)
ReplyDeleteHi Steven, I try to stay away from solving world problems in the middle of the night--so I'm glad you're on the job. (grin)
ReplyDeleteJulie, you're quite right about reading, especially if the book's a little boring. By the way, I just finished Olive Kitteridge and loved it. (It wasn't the least bit boring.)
Hey Stephanie, that's just another prompt for me to follow up on the Tai Chi thing. It's on my list.
Hi Sarah, thanks for your comment. Don't you just love getting comments from people far away? Gail's blog about the farm life is so interesting.