Giving It Up

Each year, I rack my brain to come up with something to give up for Lent.  This year, the first time I was asked about my sacrifice, I somewhat jokingly replied that I was giving up Peter for a year.  I honestly had not thought about what I might give up, as I was still in the throes of recovery, thinking that Kelsey would be having surgery today and in overall planning mode for Peter's departure in May.

I've thought about all of the standard things I *could* give up, but here's the deal:

• As it is, I rarely wear make-up.  So I could humble myself even more and give it up, but that would be maybe one day a week. I don't really see that as much of a sacrifice and certainly nothing that I might even notice.
• I gave up soda (as in caffeinated beverages made with HFCS) in 2006 for Lent and have rarely had a sip since.  I don't have the desire to drink anything but seltzer now (or maybe an occasional ginger ale), so there goes that idea.
• Sugar and/or chocolate.  Quite honestly, I don't think I eat enough of either to justify that being a reasonable or noticeable loss in my life. I'm the only person I know who can buy a gallon of ice cream, put it in the freezer and forget about it for 6 months.  Also, sometimes I do need a small lift and a tiny piece of good, dark chocolate helps.  It's not a crutch, but I don't want to feel guilty if I truly need something.
• Social Media.  A-ha!  If I really wanted to give up something, I suppose I could try giving up FB, Twitter and the like.  Though honestly, I don't use Twitter constantly (I'm lousy at Tweeting) and FB helps me keep in touch with others.  Not sure whether I would seem like I was sacrificing or just suddenly seem very out of touch.
• Coffee.  Really?  Not gonna happen unless everyone wants a major sacrifice for the next 6 weeks.

Finally, it hit me.  I found something that has been an issue for me for ages and something that I truly need to work on.  It's not just something I cut out of my diet for 6 weeks and then forget about it when Lent is over.  It's an issue I've struggled with for years and have finally realized that I really, really need to get control over this:

I'm giving up being a night owl.

 

Now, this might sound like a most ridiculous thing to some, but for me I see this as being a very big challenge.  While I have had issues with insomnia, there is nothing I enjoy more than staying up late, reading a good book, blogging beyond midnight or just catching up with friends (via Words With Friends, Facebook, what have you).  I'll throw laundry in the washer and use the excuse of needing to put in the dryer as a reason to stay up even later.  Then I end up overtired and not able to sleep when I do finally cozy up in my recliner and tend to be a cranky, tired mess in the morning.

So, for the next six weeks, I will sacrifice my ability to stay up late.  

Call it silly, but I see this as a way to touch on several things that I *could* give up and combine into one:

• Since I won't be staying up later, I will be drinking less coffee
• I tend to go on FB late at night and/or use the time to blog.  I'll have to find a way to do that earlier in the day.  So less time on social media right there, but I won't feel like I'm ignoring anyone or out of touch. 
• I might eat less chocolate, since when I do have a good piece, it tends to be later at night when I am having a cup of coffee (and no, the coffee doesn't keep me from sleeping, that's just me).

The benefits I hope to achieve:

• I'll wake up earlier (naturally) and be less cranky and feel less rushed in the mornings.
• Perhaps will get Nick to school a tiny bit earlier (he's not really late, but he could get there sooner and I'd have a bit more time for errands and exercise).
• Other family members (who will remain unnamed) might try to quell their night owl tendencies and also get more rest, since the house will be quieter.
• My day might be better organized?  Granted, with three kids and a husband departing for a UT soon, there is a lot of upheaval.  However, the more sleep and earlier start to the day might give me extra time in the a.m. to think my day through.  Even a few extra minutes would help.
• Perhaps this will help me get over my insomnia issues.  Since I do get tired early in the evening (but I just push through until I get a second wind), this exercise might help me get over resisting that exhaustion and just recognize that I am not doing anyone any good (most of all myself) by staying up later.

Technically, I am starting a day late.  I had a fabulous Girls Night In to attend last night and therefore, exempted myself from starting this until tonight. No way was I going to miss the night out and to say that the evening gave me a huge lift is the understatement of the century.  Good friends, yummy Thai food, wine, chocolate, and fun.  Who could ask for more? 

Since today's surgery was canceled, we have no meetings or activities, and nothing but dinner together tonight, I have nothing to prevent me from trying to get to bed at a decent hour.  Now my only quandary is figuring out exactly when to sleep.  I have a time in mind and will give that a go at first to see if that is enough sleep for me.  

Maybe this will be one of the most ridiculous ideas I've ever had.  On the other hand, it's only for 6 weeks and if it works, it could be life-changing in many good ways.  I'm thinking that daily updates will be difficult, but I am going to try to keep tabs on improvements (more sleep, less crankiness) on a weekly basis.  It might not seem like a sacrifice to some, but if you know me, this might be one of the hardest things I've tried as of late.  Wish me luck?

 

Comments

[Jill]

Knowing you as I do, I think this will be a sacrifice for you! Here's hoping that all goes well during Lent ... and that you find you ARE able to sleep earlier and get a good night's rest. Goodness knows after Wednesday night, I sure needed one last night. :)

[Kate]

How's it going so far? I've given up cussing. So far I've only said the eff word once, but I flogged myself for it.