Counting Sheep and Finding Shadows: When Sleep Plays Hide-and-Seek (and You're Not Alone)
Hey sis, let's keep it real today. I'm writing this with a bit of bleariness around the edges, a testament to something I know many of us experience: the frustrating, energy-draining dance with sleeplessness. Lately, the nights have felt long, the mind has been racing, and the sweet escape of deep rest. Well, it's been playing a serious game of hide-and-seek in my world.
And as I sit here, a thought keeps nagging at me: am I the only one staring at the ceiling when the rest of the world is sound asleep? Am I the only one feeling that foggy-brained exhaustion that seeps into every corner of the day?
Because if there's one thing I've learned on this journey, it's that we, as women, often carry so much – our families, our work, our communities, our own hopes and dreams. And sometimes, that weight, those swirling thoughts, can make it incredibly difficult to simply… switch off.
Maybe it's the beautiful, but sometimes energetically charged, springtime air here in Tulsa. Maybe it's the lingering to-do lists that replay in our minds like a broken record. Maybe it's just that our bodies, in their wisdom, are going through their own unique rhythms. Whatever the reason, the struggle with sleep can feel incredibly isolating.
We try all the "rules," don't we? The warm milk, the lavender sprays, the "no screens before bed" decree (which, let's be honest, sometimes feels impossible). We create the perfect sleep sanctuary, yet our minds still feel like a busy highway at rush hour.
So, I'm putting it out there, with a transparency that feels a little vulnerable but also necessary: are you feeling this too? Are you also finding yourself counting sheep that just won't jump the fence? Are you also navigating your days on less sleep than you know you need?
Because if we are, then let's acknowledge it. Let's create a space where we can say, "Yeah, sleep has been a challenge lately," without feeling like we're failing. Maybe by sharing our experiences, we can find comfort in knowing we're not alone. Maybe we can even stumble upon some collective wisdom, some tips and tricks that have helped one of us find a little more rest.
For me, lately, I've been making a conscious effort to increase my Vitamin D intake, hoping that plays a role in regulating my sleep cycles. I've also been incorporating gentle yoga stretches in the evenings to try and calm my body before bed. And when my mind feels like it's running a marathon, I've found some solace in reading a physical book – the blue light from screens definitely doesn't help! Plus, I recently discovered a free app called "Balance" that has some really soothing meditations and stories designed to help you drift off. Some nights these things help, others… well, the sheep are still putting up a good fight.
So, if you're reading this with tired eyes, know that I see you. I feel you. And maybe, just maybe, by opening up about this shared experience, we can all find a little more peace and a little more rest in the nights to come.
What about you? Has sleep been elusive lately? What, if anything, has been helping (or not helping)? Let's talk.
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