The habit of getting to bed on time, at 10:30, has eluded me. I know it's important to get enough sleep, but I'm never tired at 10 PM. I've been inspired to look at this a different way, though: I've begun to see going to bed on time as punctuality.
Having waited for hours--no exaggeration--on Thanksgiving dinners at relatives' houses, having waited on my ex-jerk to show up to pretty much anything, having carried a coworker who'd often get to work 20 minutes late and then spend ten minutes making her breakfast, I've had enough. I admit that I often run a few minutes late. (I'm usually on time for work, but I do take PTO or a short lunch if I'm more than a few minutes late.) But now I'm inspired to change.
The Art of Manliness site ran an article a few years ago called The Importance of Punctuality. Being on time, it says, shows integrity, dependability, builds self-confidence, and assures you're at your best. George Washington was a stickler for punctuality, the article says, and waited for nobody. A follow-up article lists reasons why people run late. In my case, I tend to overestimate what I can get done in a certain amount of time.
Another problem is that I'm wide awake at bedtime. I've always been that way, even when I was a kid with no computer or video games, didn't watch much TV, and went to bed at the same time every night. I'd often lie awake until midnight. Nevertheless, I feel better the next day after lying awake than staying up until midnight.
Therefore, I can't rely on feeling tired as a sign to go to bed. I have to go to bed at a certain time, tired or not, because I'll feel better later. It's like other habits most sensible people have: eat good food and take your vitamins before you get sick. Save money now before you have an emergency. Maintain your car before it breaks down. Maintain your reputation before people start seeing you as a flake. Go to bed at a reasonable hour before you end up exhausted. Do these things, and life isn't likely to be a series of calamities. Emergencies will happen, but you'll be better able to take care of them.
My goal is then to start getting ready for bed at 9 and plan my evenings better.
Having waited for hours--no exaggeration--on Thanksgiving dinners at relatives' houses, having waited on my ex-jerk to show up to pretty much anything, having carried a coworker who'd often get to work 20 minutes late and then spend ten minutes making her breakfast, I've had enough. I admit that I often run a few minutes late. (I'm usually on time for work, but I do take PTO or a short lunch if I'm more than a few minutes late.) But now I'm inspired to change.
The Art of Manliness site ran an article a few years ago called The Importance of Punctuality. Being on time, it says, shows integrity, dependability, builds self-confidence, and assures you're at your best. George Washington was a stickler for punctuality, the article says, and waited for nobody. A follow-up article lists reasons why people run late. In my case, I tend to overestimate what I can get done in a certain amount of time.
Another problem is that I'm wide awake at bedtime. I've always been that way, even when I was a kid with no computer or video games, didn't watch much TV, and went to bed at the same time every night. I'd often lie awake until midnight. Nevertheless, I feel better the next day after lying awake than staying up until midnight.
Therefore, I can't rely on feeling tired as a sign to go to bed. I have to go to bed at a certain time, tired or not, because I'll feel better later. It's like other habits most sensible people have: eat good food and take your vitamins before you get sick. Save money now before you have an emergency. Maintain your car before it breaks down. Maintain your reputation before people start seeing you as a flake. Go to bed at a reasonable hour before you end up exhausted. Do these things, and life isn't likely to be a series of calamities. Emergencies will happen, but you'll be better able to take care of them.
My goal is then to start getting ready for bed at 9 and plan my evenings better.
Comments
I can still remember my mum saying to me "it doesn't matter if you do not get to sleep immediately, the fact that your body is resting is also important". Was she right ? Well I like to think mums know best !!!
All the best Jan