So...I told you several weeks ago I was starting a new book called Early To Rise: A 30 Day Challenge. I encourage you to check it out. Whether you are a stay at home mom like me who needs a little more motivation in her day or a busy work woman who doesn't find enough time in her day for herself, this book is REALLY good!
So far I have not met my challenge for myself, but that's okay, I'm setting goals, I'm learning what will work for me, and I'm getting there. What is really frustrating is that it always seems like someone is trying to stop me from meeting my goal...Satan maybe?
Of course to rise early you must first go to bed early...that rarely happens at our house. Whether it is Alan's busy schedule, the kids' busy schedule, or the night owl in me, I just can't seem to get in bed before midnight!
The author of the book says that with the extra hour or so that you have before everyone else in your house wakes up you should do something for yourself...sit down and have a cup of whatever wakes you up, pray, meditate, have a moment with God, read; whether it be this particular book, the Bible, or something else you are studying, write; make your list for the day, write a blog, write a letter. We all have some form of "art" in us...he says this is the time to use that art.
When I first starting reading the book I thought I would use that extra hour or so to get started on my housework that I can never seem to get done with my little monsters running around, but he says not to focus on that stuff just yet. You are to use that hour for YOU.
Last night I tried really hard to get to bed earlier. I laid down at about 10:30. I read a little bit trying to relax my mind. The book says to do something relaxing before bed, not something that causes you stress or worry. Lots of people watch the news before bed...that causes worry and stress. Anyway, so I'm reading my happy little book and in walks my dear husband starting up a conversation about what all needs to be done to get this house ready to sale. This causes me MUCH worry and stress and this conversation turns into a 45 minute discussion about everything under the sun. Ugh! I got so worked up and stressed out thinking about all of the things going on these next few months and how much money all of that was going to take.
I did eventually roll over and fall asleep, but for absolutely no known reason I was wide awake by 3:15. Now...I want to rise early, but not quite that early! I laid there with a sleepy body and sleepy eyes, but a mind full of busy stuff. At about 4am Landon came to bed with us. I snuggled with him for a little while, got up and got a drink, laid back down, tossed and turned. Then by about 5am Ella joined us. She of course needed more milk and some strange conversation about the fan. I tried to get up once and just go ahead and start my day, but she started crying so I laid back down to keep her from waking everyone else up. She finally got back into a good sleep by about 6:30 so I came to the living room and picked up the laptop.
I'm not in the habit yet of going to bed early and getting up early, but I've set my goals and I'm working on it. The author encourages readers to publicly post their progress, so I figured I'd use this blog to do so. I really feel like getting into this healthy habit is going to help me reach those goals I sat at the beginning of the year.
I guess I'll move onto another part of my day since my poor son seems to really be struggling with getting dressed this morning...he's so sleepy...gee...I wonder why?!?!
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