It doesn't matter if it's June or December, January or September, my holidays follow a certain pattern that is simply impossible to crack.
We all know that I have a medical condition that impacts upon many aspects of my lifestyle and wellness. We all know that sleep is one of the big issues that come with this condition. So, my dear friends, as intelligent people, you would also be aware that changes in routine tend to have a negative effect on sleep - regardless of your health status. Of course, because I'm poor and sickly (cough, cough)* even the slightest routine alteration can spell disaster for my sleep and general 'on top of the worldness'... it is so a word.
*note that I don't have a cough- nor is my medical condition specifically linked to coughing- however it seemed appropriate that someone who is ill would cough - therefore I inserted a cough- fake as it might be- I really am quite unwell.
It doesn't matter how hard I try to keep my routine as normal as possible, the holidays just mess everything up. Shelly wakes me every morning somewhere between 5 and 6 am. I get up to feed her and then usually feed myself - as is the custom during the school term. But, when I'm on holidays, there is something inside me that knows I don't have to be anywhere at any particular time. At the least, I don't have to be ready to leave the house at 7 am. So, my body tells me that I'm exhausted and I really should go back to bed so I won't feel exhausted. Since, my brain also knows that I don't have to be anywhere, it has no motivation to tell my body that staying awake and 'getting things done' would be far better for me in the long run. Therefore, my brain and my body conspire to either lull me into zombie-like television viewing or convince me to head back to bed, "just for a little while."
If this happens on the first day, most people would be okay with that. Most people would say it is a 'winding down' process that must happen during that weird transition time between working like a crazy person and being on a 2 week vacation. Some people would say that it takes them 2 weeks to wind down and therefore, there is little point in winding down at all. These people, are often those who need it most. I did really well on Monday. I woke up at 5:30 am thanks to Shelly and I made breakfast, watched Rookie Blue on television, showered and set about getting the house organised for a visitor. I then hosted a planning lunch with my teaching partner and after she left I had a well-deserved nap. That night, it was tricky to get to sleep.
Tuesday, was the beginning of the end. I got up early (about 5:45 am, thanks to Shelly), made breakfast and watched TV. I had a bit of a headache and was very tired. So, I headed back to bed - just for an hour. An hour and a half later I woke up - thanks to Shelly- showered and went shopping with Nanny. We had a lovely day out. When I got home, I laid down for a little while. I didn't actually go to sleep, I just laid down, I was tired. We went out for dinner and came home. It was another long process to get to sleep.
Wednesday, yesterday, the wheels pretty much fell off the wagon. Again, I woke up early - thanks Shelly- fed her and me and watched Rookie Blue. Then I went back to bed for a while. I watched some TV in my room and fell asleep with relative ease. Several people woke me up to ask me questions. Dad brought me the phone because my sister called. Mum called. Dad came into my room to get the phone off me. He came in again to give me the Bible reference for the reading I'm doing on Sunday. He came in again for something else, but I don't quite remember what. Nanny came in to ask me a question about something. I don't remember what that was about either. Each time I woke up, I simply rolled over and went back to sleep. So, when I eventually woke up on my own (Shelly was outside playing in the sun while Nanny did a crossword puzzle) it was about 12:30 pm. I had slept half the day away. I got up and did a bit of work - although not well- and we went to the movies last night. It was very late when I got home.
At 4 am today, Mum and Nanny got up to watch a Wimbledon tennis match. They were making a great racket (aha, racket, get it?!) and woke me up. I got up and then went back to bed until 5:45 am when Shelly woke me wanting breakfast. I have managed to stay awake today - but only just- and so it goes. I will do my best to dig myself out of this hole, but as you may have noticed, this slippery slope is one that I have slid down before. As far as I can see, it is easier to wait until you hit the bottom before you start looking for the ladder that goes back to the surface. Unfortunately, this time, I'm not sure I want to wait. There is far too much fun to be done. If only, I could keep my eyes open to enjoy it.
Holidays are important. Resistance against the sleep monster is futile. Let it be. Hopefully, the world will still be here when you wake up.
Time for a nap!
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