I would really like to have a conversation with whoever decided that 3 a.m. is the perfect time to remember everything.
Not 3 p.m., when I’m awake, working, and could actually do something about it.
Nope.
3:03 a.m.
That’s apparently when my brain would like to discuss an email, tomorrow’s schedule, something I may have forgotten, and occasionally a completely random thought that has absolutely no business being treated like an emergency.
And once that thought gets through the door, apparently everybody else is invited too.
Then I’m lying there having a full conversation with myself:
“Amber, go back to sleep. Stop thinking about this. Close your eyes. Find the little white dot in the middle of all that darkness and focus on that.”
And yes, sometimes that actually works.
Other nights I toss and turn, get up to pee for what feels like the third time, and very deliberately do not look at my phone because I know that’s the point of no return.
Then I climb back into bed, get comfortable all over again, close my eyes and think,
“Okay. This time we’re going back to sleep.”
Meanwhile, my brain is like,
“Girl....since you’re still awake, remember that thing from Tuesday?”
A Little Something Slower in Your Mailbox
This is actually part of why I created The Story Post.
So much of our day happens through screens, notifications, emails, lists and things asking for our attention. Sometimes I just want something in my life that asks me to do the opposite.
Slow down for a minute.
Hold something real in my hands.
Think about something besides what needs to be done next.
And maybe even have something lovely to look forward to when I check the mailbox instead of another flyer trying to sell me new windows when I clearly live in an apartment!
That little analog pause is what I want The Story Post to bring into your month. You can learn more and join here.
Why Is It Always 3 A.M.?
I know I’m not the only one doing this.
You go to bed tired. You fall asleep. And then sometime in the middle of the night your eyes pop open and your brain says:
“Oh good, you’re awake. I have several items for the agenda.”
Excuse me?
My brain apparently has office hours from approximately 3:00 to 4:00 a.m., and I would very much like to cancel that meeting.
Could menopause be contributing to some of this? Possibly. Sleep changes, waking during the night and waking too early can all become more common around menopause. The National Institute on Aging has a good overview here.
Maybe stress plays a part too. I’ve also seen plenty of conversations about cortisol and 3 a.m. wake-ups, but I’m not going to pretend I know exactly what my hormones are doing while I’m lying there staring into the darkness.
Whatever the reason, I’ve reached the very scientific conclusion of: Enough already.
I’m Starting Earlier Than Bedtime
The biggest thing I’m experimenting with isn’t really bedtime at all.
It’s the couple of hours before it.
I’m realizing I can’t spend the entire day creating, making decisions, answering things and thinking about work, then climb into bed and expect my brain to immediately say, “Wonderful. We’re closed.”
Apparently it needs a little notice.
So I’ve been giving my evenings more room to get quieter.
You can watch my video about all of this and how I structure my evenings to prevent this 3 am wake-up call.
A Few Things Mentioned in the Video
I’ve also been knitting using the Norwegian method rather than Continental knitting. ARNE & CARLOS have a great Norwegian knit and purl tutorial here if you’re curious about the technique.
And yes, I still put mustard on my tater tots.
I stand by that decision.
So... Is Anyone Else Awake?
Please tell me I’m not alone in the 3 a.m. club.
What does your brain decide is critically important in the middle of the night?
And have you found anything that actually helps you wind down before bed?
Let’s keep the conversation going in the comments below. I’m not always able to respond to individual emails about each post, and keeping the conversation here makes it easier for all of us to share ideas and see what’s helping everyone else.
P.S. If you missed it, you can read about this month’s animal rescue donation and the organization we were able to support with proceeds from The Story Post. ❤️
