I worked shift work from 19 to 22 years old, mostly working the night shift (11pm - 7am) with the same group of people every week. We worked about 5 nights a week, including weekends. And I loved it. But over time I came to realise that it was taking a toll...on my body, my mind and more importantly, on my social life! I remember specifically when I had to leave one of Greg's birthday parties at 10.30pm and it sucked knowing that everyone was kicking on without me. But I had some good friends on the night shift, and we enjoyed chatting the nights away.
I used to be amazed that I made it home safely for another day, because by the time 7am rolled around I was so tired, my body just switched into automatic and all of a sudden I was home...having not noticed any of the drive to get there. I distinctly remember one particular birthday of Greg's when I was absolutely, beyond ridiculously, exhausted. I had volunteered to undergo the Bronzed Medallion course for a camp I was going on in the summer, so I had just completed 2 full days of swimming, swimming and more swimming to prove my physical worth. So you know that feeling that you get of tiredness, hunger and the need to crawl into bed for a lie down after a day at the pool? I had that times a THOUSAND! Oh, and did I mention that I had also completed a night shift between these 2 days? So all day Wednesday I was at the course, swimming my little heart out. I went home and slept for 3 hours, ate dinner and headed off to work for the night. I got home at 7.30am, ate breakfast and went and swam my little heart out for all of Thursday, which was a much more vigorous day, with testing of endurance included in the program. And would you believe it was Greg's birthday too?
So after I finished on Thursday, I went around to Greg's house to spend the evening with him. I fell asleep on the lounge within minutes. He woke me when it was time to leave for dinner. We were trying out a new place in town, and when my chicken schnitzel came out half raw, it was all I could do to not burst into tears. Poor Greg. Happy Birthday my love...here, have a wrecked, emotional mess.
But I must thank my years of night shifts for I feel it has put me in good stead to be able to sleep whenever I need to, regardless of the time of day, and cope relatively well when sleep is lacking. Which is handy for our current situation (although, can you call your daughter your 'situation?'). Now it must be said that Lucy is a fantastic baby. We have been very lucky with her, she is a girl of simple needs. Until recently it was a 3 step process to fixing her. If she was cranky we either feed her, change her nappy, or put her to sleep. And in the beginning, she slept through at 5 weeks old and continued to do so for the next 3 months!!! AMAZING!
Yet no matter how much preparation you can have and no matter how conditioned you think you are, new parents must all feel the same way at some point in time. Just completely buggered! Lucy hasn't slept through the night for a very long time now, and her nights range from 2 to 5 get ups. Which isn't great for her, or me. But we just keep trucking..
It had me thinking as I settled her in the rocking chair for what felt like the hundredth time last night/this morning. I used to be one of those people who didn't know how I would be with a baby, because I really needed my sleep to function. How quickly the body adjusts, especially when you are actually needed by someone who depends on you. I am certainly more irritable, snappy, emotional and closer to tears than normal, but I am still standing each day. I am surviving, with very little effort on my own behalf to do so, somehow you just have what you need to get through.
We all know that new parents are amongst those with little sleep. But I think I was worse off when shift working. Had me wondering what other types of situations could compare. Chronic pain, insomnia, illness, caring for another, anxiety and so many others. And then I thought about how it effects different people. For me, all emotions are magnified and tears are never far away (happy or sad). Greg experiences headaches. Lucy gets cranky.
I'm interested to hear how you respond to lack of sleep, for whatever the reason. It will keep me sane in the middle of the night to think you how you would respond if you were me.
So what'll it be? Remote in the microwave? Can't remember why you went downtown? Do you throw plates? Chop neighbours flowers for your vase? Spill it all, and give me some amusement in my time of need.
Ciao for now,
LG, Life's Good
