March SOLC–Day 8
A huge thank you to Anna, Beth, Betsy, Deb, Kathleen, Lisa, Lanny, Melanie, and Stacey for all that they do to create a supportive community of writers and a safe, welcoming space to write, learn, share and grow.
twowritingteachers.org
“What should I write about today?”
This is a question I ask myself a lot during the March SOLC. I also ask my family–over and over again. These days they tend to treat the question as rhetorical in nature. Ironically, last night my husband actually responded.
“Insomnia,” he suggested.
“Oh, yeah, Mom,” one of my oh-so-sympathetic daughters responded, “You’d definitely have lots to write about!”
So, I’m not sure what time it was when I woke up this morning. Probably sometime between 1:00 and 1:30 am. I’ve learned not to look at the clock in the middle of the night, as somehow not knowing what time it is can sometimes help me to fall back asleep. I guess I avoid the immediate calculations about how little sleep I got, how much more time I have to sleep, etc. That wasn’t the case tonight, though. I lay there with my thoughts jumping restlessly (manically?) from one thing to another.
When am I going to score those Expert Books?How do I respond to that e-mail? Is A really doing okay? I need to talk to H about that possible referral. Maybe I can catch her later today. Shoot! I haven’t called my Dad in over a week. Who in the world called me yesterday from Raleigh, NC? I need to pull out those poetry books today. Is it really only Wednesday today? Taxes!! I wonder how these book clubs are going to work? I’m worried about P and D’s partnership. Will they be able to work together? The heat bill is due soon (almost overdue?)–I’ve got to put a check in the mail tomorrow. Oh, no! I still have that stack of math journals that needs to go home. I really need to get those out today! What’s up with C? Taxes!!! Report cards are due in just a few weeks! I should really write a couple of comments each night to avoid that last minute crush. Yeah, right. Oh–I have to send out the parent teacher conference notices. What’s that program called again? I need to find those science scores. Where did I put them? I have a bad feeling I moved them to keep them safe. But to where? What is going on at K’s house? How can I help her?……..and on and on and on. You get the idea. Somehow it isn’t the happy little relaxing thoughts that pop into my mind in these wee hours.
So, finally, after maybe 45 minutes or an hour, I gave up and looked at the clock. 2:11 am. I sighed, pushed back the covers, and got up. Grabbing my book off the bed (yes, I sleep with my books), I turned off my underworked alarm clock, and stumbled out of the bedroom. My newest insomnia-combatting strategy is to read in the living room and then try to fall back asleep on the couch for an hour or so before it’s time to get up. We’ll see how that works.
Nix the comfort zone 
I hope you were able to doze off and if nothing else productive came from it – you got both an idea and a slice written. I also fall in the ‘not looking at the clock’ camp as I often think how tired we are is psychological for ‘I only slept for x number of hours’. I hope you are able to keep your brain turned off tonight.
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Finding a slice is always an upside, Kristi, and I did manage to get a bit more sleep. I agree that there is a strong psychological component to fatigue! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
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Ugh. I get it! Ever since a friend shared an article about “second sleep” I have tried to be more relaxed about my insomnia. You can read more here: http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-16964783
I think it is our busy brains in overdrive- your list of wonderings was all too familiar.
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Thanks so much for sharing that link! I skimmed through much of the article and will read it more carefully later, but already I found it fascinating. Hopefully it will help me get a better perspective on my occasional insomnia. I did end up enjoying about 1 1/2 hours of second sleep this morning. 🙂
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Oh yes, your list of rambles! I have been there again and again and again. It made me chuckle although I know it’s not funny. I have absolutely no problem falling asleep but I seem to only be able to sleep for 5 hours and then I do the exact same thing as you. I have been using an essential oils diffuser in my room and have been placing lavender in it. I also place some of the lavender oil in my pillow. I really helps my sleep. I’m at least sleeping until 4:30 now so I’ll take it.
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I also fall asleep in a heartbeat, Amy, but I definitely go through wakeful phases in the wee hours. The article that Erika Victor posted is really interesting! Well worth a read if only to change your perspective.
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For the last ten years, I have trouble sleeping more than a few hours at a time. I followed all the thoughts crowding your brain, urging you to wake up and think about this and that. You obviously are a very caring teacher, but you need your sleep. Make sure the room is really dark – no light from digital devices. Lavender under the pillow does help – I read Amy’s response to you. I hope you start to get more sleep!
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Thanks for the ideas! I’ve been hearing so much about the benefits of lavender lately! My nephew was actually advised to use it instead of narcotics after knee surgery!
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You described your thoughts perfectly. It’s true, they do bounce around your head- especially the big worries that keep popping up like taxes! If there was only a way to shut them off..
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When it happens during yoga, my daughter told me it’s called Monkey Brain! I love that term!
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I have been there, done that. Perhaps, it’s a teacher’s night life? When I retired from UNE, my sleep improved immediately. I know that may not be much help to a young woman with years til retirement. Sweet dreams.
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Well I’m glad one of us is sleeping well! 🙂
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That said, I do take 5 mg melatonin each night. Does it work? It does, probably because I think it does.
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Every now and again, this happens to me. It gets old really quickly. Rescue Remedy is named appropriately. I hope that tonight is better.
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Thanks for the suggestion! I’ll have to check out Rescue Remedy–I’ve never heard of it.
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Too many things rambling around make for early wake-ups. Would it help if you made a list and identified “when” each thing will be done? Then you know you have a plan. Just a thought that helps me get that list checked off without worry. Sorry for the sleeplessness. Hope tonight is better!
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Thanks for sharing what works for you, Linda. Making lists has often been helpful to me, but right now I think it might send me over the edge! I don’t really want to face how much I need to get done. lol
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Sorry, just a thought that helps me sometimes. Of course you have to do what feels good to you, Molly.
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Linda–I really appreciate your sharing your thought–I didn’t mean to sound dismissive!! I can use all the help I can get and I will definitely keep your strategy in mind. Thanks!!!
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I sympathize. Insomnia is the worst. Luckily for me, it doesn’t occur every night, but it happens often enough. Reading works for me sometimes–one night I baked cookies. At least my kids were happy.
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Baking is a great option! Everyone’s happy to wake up to fresh baked scones!
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I can relate so well to your post. It didn’t even help when I finished my taxes!! OH.. and I also.. sleep with my books. Too funny!
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My kids all sleep with their books, too. Must be genetic! 😉
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I hope you ended up being able to go back to sleep!
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