This was originally supposed to be a post about intuition, Tarot or runes. But I found it more fitting to make it a self-care post since I’m pretty tired these days because my back is acting up.

The reason why I’m going to bed earlier tonight than usual (besides the fatigue) is that I won’t get a nap tomorrow. Lilith and I are going to the city to watch Rio 2 and do some shopping. Driving 80 miles in a day requires that you have your head screwed on straight. I’m about halfway through my bedtime ritual now. I’ve taken my meds and put my daughter to bed. The only things that remain are brushing my teeth and taking the dog outside.

My bedtime ritual looks something like this

8:00-8:15 pm Take the dog outside. Help Lilith to brush her teeth and get ready for bed. Take my meds. 8:15-9:00 pm Read a story to Lilith, listen to a story with her, and stay until she sleeps 9:00-11:00 pm Finish anything I haven’t finished, or just hang out online and maybe have a small evening meal 11:20-11:30 pm Brush teeth etc., take the dog outside 11:30-? Get myself to bed, read for a while, fall asleep I’m cutting down on the 9-11 segment and the reading to fall asleep earlier.

Getting to bed early is definitely not something I’m good at, but I’m going to give it a good try tonight, but going to bed at 11, instead of midnight. I’m also going to avoid picking up a book after going to bed, as I know that would kill my effort. If I start reading, I rarely stop until the book is finished. So it’s not that smart for me to read before falling asleep. I usually sleep through the night, though, despite the pain. I’ve had 20 years to get used to it. The exception (or rather the norm) is when the dog or my daughter wake me up. I’ve moved Bonzo’s crate to the living room, to minimize the risk of his movements waking me up, but you can’t do much about a 6-year-old coming downstairs in the middle of the night, or at 6:30. at least she doesn’t wake up at 5:30 every day like she used to.

What’s your bedtime ritual like?

Does it help you sleep well or does it sabotage your efforts of getting a good night’s sleep? I’m making some changes to my bedtime ritual. If you need to do so too, consider this your prompt. Try it tonight, and see what happens.

4 Comments

  1. Sibylle

    Mine starts at around ten, when the budgies go to sleep. I turn off the light in the living room and go upstairs after soothing them (they always get scared initially when the lights go out, although there is a night light). Then I get ready and go to bed with a book. I wish I could sleep by eleven, but that rarely happens as there is noise in the main house. I have an early start 🙂

    Reply
    • Linda Ursin

      Putting Lilith to bed starts somewhere between 7:30 and 8:30 🙂 Sometimes I wish I could sleep with ear plugs, but the responsibility for Lilith and Bonzo, plus the need for a morning alarm, make it impossible. I hope that painting of yours is still helping a bit.

      Reply
      • Sibylle

        It is, and so is my dream catcher! As long as there’s no noise, I sleep like a baby 🙂

        Completely understand you wanting to be alert for Lilith and Bonzo. I sometimes have to use white noise just to get some sleep, but I never like it – I want to hear it if the budgies get a night fright so I can go and turn on their light. They could hurt themselves otherwise.

        Reply
        • Linda Ursin

          I’m glad they work 🙂 Sorry about the noise though. It’ll be better once you get your little cottage.

          Reply

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