Lately I'm finding myself to be like a walking zombie. I know the reason is that I'm staying up much too late. Last night I didn't go to bed until after midnight. And with our usual wakeup time being somewhere around 6:20 a.m. (6:50 if I'm lucky!), I'm spending my days exhausted.
So what am I doing when I stay up so late? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Well, actually it's more like surfing the internet, reading blogs, and watching TV. Nothing of any real importance.
The reason I stay up so late is that after the kids go to bed is the ONLY me time I get. I need to relax and unwind with a little something for myself. But really all that doing nothing and staying up so late is pretty unfulfilling and leaves me like a zombie the next morning. I think it is a sick cycle that I need to break. I am hoping that tonight I attempt to go to bed early. I'm sure I could use some extra beauty rest.
I'll let you know if going to bed earlier helps me feel better in the coming days.
How do you unwind once the kids are in bed?
6 comments:
I know exactly what you mean. When Micah is away, I spend my nights watching Netflix (and staying up way later than I usually do). I agree that when you are the only parent home it's really important to have your own peace and quiet time. I'm sure going to bed earlier would make you feel better though, I hope it works!
I think it's great to get your daily "me" time! I think it's incredibly important, especially when you're going it alone. My favorite things to do for "me" time:
1) a bubble bath, complete with turning the lights out and lighting lots of candles
2) a cup of herb tea (my favorite: Celestial Seasonings Honey Vanilla Chamomile and a book or magazine and a nice blanket
3) give yourself a mani/pedi complete with lotion on your heals and trimming those cuticles.
and finally 4) work on some of those scrapbook pages I want to catch up on. but I try to set a timer and then hit the sack relatively early (like 11! lol)
I hope you'll find a way to make your "me" time relaxing AND productive! :-)
I don't have to much to add here, because I don't have children yet, but I understand the relax thing. My parents tended to watch movies or read a good book in the evening. Why not start with a quick, calming, feel-good shower, something that makes you feel girly and special. Then curl-up with a favorite book or movie. :) Or try a 10 minute work-out, something that makes you work a little, but also is relaxing (like yoga). Pull out pictures from childhood and start organizing them. :)
I used to stay up late to get some me time, but found I was really unproductive so I was left feeling even more frustrated because "me" time just added to the to do list. Painting my toe nails, reading a book and crafty things started feeling like chores. Instead, I started going to bed early and getting up early. MUCH better for me. I get to wake up slowly and with some quiet. And I get things done, which gets my day going in a positive direction.
Even though I don't have kids, I have a similar problem. By the time I get home from work, care for the pets, and make myself dinner, it's usually close to 9pm. I want a little time for myself before bed, then next thing I know it's 12:30.
I am the same way here lately simply because it is the only time I get to myself. I have noticed how easily irritated I am and so exhausted too. SO I am trying to get to bed at a better time. Past couple of night its been an hour earlier (11) but I am going to keep trying so that I am in the bed at the same time the kids are.
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