About a month ago, I received an email from a friend that said:
“What if you didn’t have insomnia anymore?”
I laughed.? I know all the sleeping tricks. In fact, I am the sleep guru.? Insomnia is my lifelong friend.
“Don’t be a jackass,” she said.? “Just sign up for this newsletter.”
Being the good middle child (who responds resentfully to bossiness), I signed up for the freakin’ newsletter.? Day after day, I received email about sleeping.
But I know better.? I have done all of their stupid tricks and tips.? HA!? I even started showering at night so I had a chance to “dump the day” (as recommended by Pete Seigel).
Insomnia is my life long friend.
Then, the woman who gave birth to me started acting up again.? Her sister dead, she unleashed a wave of abject cruelty that left everyone involved stunned.
(Well, except me.? I knew it was only a matter of time.)
And I didn’t sleep for three days.
Everything fell apart.? I stopped writing.? I stopped engaging the world.? I shut out D. and Rose to an extent that they started pestering me mercilessly.
And the stupid Insomnia newsletter arrived saying:
“If you are doing all of these things, maybe your brain doesn’t know how to sleep.”
I read a brain study that said that brain patterns get disrupted. Rather then reseting, the brain continues the disrupted pattern.
This was particularly true for people with insomnia that starts in childhood.
At a weak moment, I purchased the CDs.? When they arrived two days later, I was so exhausted I didn’t remember purchasing them.? I made mp3s and stuck them on my mp3 player.
Another round of escalating nastiness and I found myself staring at the ceiling again.? Insomnia, my old friend, returned.
3 AM: I listened to the tape.
3:20 AM: I was sound asleep.
Next night? I slept like a baby – all night.
Go figure.? It’s only been a week.? I’ve had a few more rounds of insomnia.? Put the tape on and wham – asleep.
I don’t know if my insomnia is gone forever.
Maybe.
Right now, sleeping even a few hours at a time is sheer bliss.
I’m glad you found something that is working for you. I’ve struggled with insomnia in the past but nothing like what you’ve gone through.
It’s difficult to turn our brains off sometimes. On the other hand, sometimes it’s difficult to turn my brain ON
Here’s hoping to many more z’s and some peace in your life for a change.
Ugh! I understand how you feel. My insomnia has come and gone in waves for the last 20 years. I’m on an insomnia high right now and if I could manage to get more than three hours of sleep a night, I would consider it a “win.”
I’m glad you are finally getting some shut eye!
XOXO
i hope it keeps on working for you!! that would be awesome!!!
The mind is a wild and crazy thing — at least mine is. So I have a bit of an idea about from whence you’re coming. Here’s to sleep and peace and rest for you — whatever that may look like.
Hey lady, don’t know ‘nuthin about insomnia.
Happens to me from time-to-time, but nothing like yours. I just turn on XM Radio #71 and go with it. The next day sucks, but it all evens out (sometimes). I never get more than 5-6 anyway, even when it’s goin’ good.
That said….I love the way you write.
Oh I hope it works!!! And please let me know if it does.
Cap – Your brain seems right fine to me!
Fear and Loathing in LV – Peace. Yes, that would be lovely.
Perpstu – I’ll guinea pig, m’k? I’ll let you know if it works.
Melissa – From your mouth to God’s ears.
Citizen Jane – We’ll see if I can “break up” with insomnia.
Edwin – I think everyone gets it sometimes – part of being human. I’m glad you don’t have it. And thanks for reading. I appreciate it.
Yoonamanic – I will definitely let you know. You’re supposed to get to a point where you don’t need the tapes, that will be a dream come true.
I also have insomnia. I’ve done some crazy things at night just to try and get some shut eye. It drives me crazy. I think my brain thinks to much. LOL! That’s great that you’ve found a cure for yours. I hope you get some well needed rest.
That’s amazing. I hope it continues to be your lil sleep angel!
i hope it keeps working for you! I get so grumpy if I don’t get enough sleep, I can’t even imagine!
I hope it continues to work! Losing sleep is the worst ever.
I have probs with sleep occasionally. It was horrible in Alaska. I wasn’t teaching yet, so I would stay up until three or four in the morning, then sleep until noon. My goal was to be up before Husband came home for lunch!
Wow. I have also been an insomniac since early childhood, when I pretended to be asleep at naptime because I knew I’d be in trouble if I didn’t.
I have always envied those who fall asleep easily. I doubt that I have ever accomplished 8 hours of sleep at one time in my life.
Please share the name of these CD’s. And I’m really sorry about your “mother.”
I’m very glad you’re getting some unaccustomed sleep from the CD’s you were too sleepy to remember ordering. LOL! I’m one of those people you’d like to boot right out of bed. I fall asleep within seconds of putting my head on the pillow. I always think it’s because I wait until I’m tired before I go to bed. I’m a night owl, so I’m definitely not tired at 10:00. I don’t bother going to bed until 1:30, usually, even on weekdays when I have to get up 5 hours later. I’m just sleepless during the work week and get my blessed, blessed sleep on the weekend.
Michelle – There’s always one more thing to try, eh? I feel
like that sometimes. I’ll let you know how it goes
Jill – I hope so too!
Claudia – I can’t imagine you grumpy!
Tommie – I love that you had to work to get up for Action Jackson. What did he think?
Heart in SF – I haven’t ever done 8 whole hours. We’ll see how all of this turns out – with any luck?
Julia – Good for you for being able to get a little caught up – I think that’s crucial! I’ve always admired people who sleep.