[jadedbutterfly]

My sleep patterns have flip flopped. It started about 2 months ago with med change. When I do sleep during the day, it's more like 2 - 3 naps.
It's weird, I like the quiet of the early morning. I get more creative in those wee hours of the morning and I am afraid that if I get myself to a "healthier" sleep pattern I will to lose it.
I realize that this is not helping me deal with any of my issues. But could use some help, any ideas on how to get a more normal sleep and to keep the creativity and serenity I feel??

[Perna]

What are you calling "early" morning? I got up at 5:30 I think it was this morning (because I couldn't sleep) and got two or three hours of work done but I got to bed earlier than usual last night and am thinking of turning in now for tonight.

Figure out what you want to do. You can't lose things that are "you" and important to you, it's like Peter Pan worried about his shadow? The creativity will always be there, you need to do a bit of experimentation to see what works for you; if you have to work or want to go to school, etc. during the day, then you'll have to figure out a schedule that will allow you to do that.

But it's rarely healthy to do any one task/sort of activity for too many hours at once; we need breaks and to come up for air. I work several hours and then go garden for a half hour or do some chores, etc. This morning I went out for breakfast. I keep a clipboard and notebook paper by my computer and write ideas, etc. so I don't forget them if I don't want (or, they come "back" if they're what I want/that interesting to me) and use my computer features (bookmarks!) to keep my place if I have to drag myself away from my creative work, etc.

But you can really get more done and feel better about it and be more creative if you get more/better sleep. Having to be distracted and worried because you aren't getting enough sleep and are sleeping in the day when most of the world is doing practical things, isn't something you want for yourself. Keep a few good hours in the morning, after you wake (get too stimulated before sleep and your mind will race/you will have trouble going to sleep) and then you'll know they will be there and it will be like waking on a good Christmas morning and that really helps get me up some mornings when I'm feeling like dragging; a good idea in the morning does as much good as coffee waking me up :-)

[jadedbutterfly]

The early morning to me is that space between 3 and 430. so peaceful, no cars driving by. Of course this isn't when I get up it's when I'm still up
I like your idea of writing the ideas down, I do have scrap paper next to the computer to write down stuff I need to do, or things I need to research. I'll try to keep a separate notepad for ideas.
But I think my creativity, my artist side comes out more from lack of sleep... little mania... then when I sleep. don't want to lose it. I understand the Peter Pan reference, its probably a large part of it.
You garden! I would love to have one. I live on the 4th floor of an apartment complex so can't do it. I do however have plants on all my windowsills. I find that sometimes they are good company. I have 2 jade plants I grew from cuttings, i am actually calling them trees now they have gotten so large!
I get what you are saying about getting into a more regular sleep pattern and being awake when the world around me is. and I did get more practical things done when I slept more, cleaning, laundry etc. But I also felt more lonely in the day time then when I am up late, is that weird?
Perna, Thank you for your help. Hope you get a good nights rest tonight.

Originally Posted by Perna

What are you calling "early" morning? I got up at 5:30 I think it was this morning (because I couldn't sleep) and got two or three hours of work done but I got to bed earlier than usual last night and am thinking of turning in now for tonight.

Figure out what you want to do. You can't lose things that are "you" and important to you, it's like Peter Pan worried about his shadow? The creativity will always be there, you need to do a bit of experimentation to see what works for you; if you have to work or want to go to school, etc. during the day, then you'll have to figure out a schedule that will allow you to do that.

But it's rarely healthy to do any one task/sort of activity for too many hours at once; we need breaks and to come up for air. I work several hours and then go garden for a half hour or do some chores, etc. This morning I went out for breakfast. I keep a clipboard and notebook paper by my computer and write ideas, etc. so I don't forget them if I don't want (or, they come "back" if they're what I want/that interesting to me) and use my computer features (bookmarks!) to keep my place if I have to drag myself away from my creative work, etc.

But you can really get more done and feel better about it and be more creative if you get more/better sleep. Having to be distracted and worried because you aren't getting enough sleep and are sleeping in the day when most of the world is doing practical things, isn't something you want for yourself. Keep a few good hours in the morning, after you wake (get too stimulated before sleep and your mind will race/you will have trouble going to sleep) and then you'll know they will be there and it will be like waking on a good Christmas morning and that really helps get me up some mornings when I'm feeling like dragging; a good idea in the morning does as much good as coffee waking me up :-)

[Perna]

Get a couple other people interested in some of the things you are interested in and then you won't have to do it all "yourself" but will have others to "hold" things/ideas for you? Then you can relax more and build in projects with boundaries, etc.

http://www.creativespringfield.net/c...opportunities/

[jadedbutterfly]

Wish I did have people with similar interests. I am not good at making friends, dealing with social phobia, major trust issues.
But as afraid I am about letting someone into my life... I would really like the company and friendship.

Originally Posted by Perna

Get a couple other people interested in some of the things you are interested in and then you won't have to do it all "yourself" but will have others to "hold" things/ideas for you? Then you can relax more and build in projects with boundaries, etc.

http://www.creativespringfield.net/c...opportunities/