I’ve had insomnia most of my life.
Outside of my teenage years, sleep has never come easily. Hitting anything close to “recommended” usually required a backup plan and some medical support.
I’ve tried almost everything, in search for relief. From Ambien and NyQuil to Magnesium and Melatonin.
And, of course, my MVP for over a decade: THC gummies.
Over the years, I built a whole story about myself that sleep isn’t something my body does naturally. It’s something I have to negotiate for, coax out, and sometimes flat-out force into.
But last night, I tried something radical: I just went to bed at 10pm.
No aids. No medicines. No supplements. No safety nets.
It’s been a busy few days, dog-sitting for my favorite furry nephews, and I had a feeling my body might finally be tired enough to handle sleep on its own for a change. That if I got out of the way, it might remember its job.
I only woke up once at 2am. For a quick bio break. There was no drama, no overthinking, no greatest hits of awkward moments from 1999. Back to bed. Back to sleep.
The next thing I knew it was morning. Time for another bio break.
When I looked at the clock, it was just before 6am.
I had slept for almost eight hours. Eight hours!!!
That’s a number I usually have to chase with pills, potions, and wishful thinking. But somehow, I got there by doing…less.
No pomp. No circumstance. Just sleep.
Maybe the change of scenery is resetting more than my mood. Maybe something under the hood is recalibrating. Or maybe this is what happens when I stop trying so hard to force something that’s supposed to be natural.
Either way, waking up without a safety net feels a little strange. A little risky. Like I’ve stepped outside a version of myself I’ve been managing for years.
The guy who can’t sleep without help.
Perhaps that story isn’t permanent after all.
Maybe it just needed a night off. And a good night’s sleep.
Keep calm and get your rest on!
Clint 🌈✌️
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FROM THE ARCHIVES
BORN THIS WAY ON THIS DAY
04-17 = Michal Jagelka (1977- ) = Czech actor and voice actor 🌈
04-17 = Thornton Wilder (1897-1975) = American playwright and novelist 🌈
MAN CRUSH(ES) OF THE DAY
“My advice to you is not to inquire why or whither, but just enjoy your ice cream while it’s on your plate.”
Thornton Wilder
So delighted to hear of your good sleep experience. As a person who often has sleep difficulties, I know how debilitating they can be and relief is so precious. Nice archives as well today.
Every now and then, the magic happens. To paraphrase something Chief Dan George said in his role in "Little Big Man." Congratulations on a good night's sleep!