A short post that seems more than a little bit strange to me:
I have been having a great deal of trouble sleeping at night lately, mostly for stress reasons. The one time I consistently manage to get some sleep is after breakfast until about noon. Of course, that’s after not sleeping all from about midnight until I leave for breakfast at 7:30 a.m.
Today was particularly bad, I slept for about two hours after breakfast and then couldn’t go back to sleep again until mid-afternoon. I set the alarm for 4:30 p.m. so I wouldn’t miss dinner. Every dinner is an early-bird special here in what is essentially an old folks home.
At any rate, I was having a particularly vivid dream about being at home going through stacks of possessions when one of the Amazon Echo Shows — most of us call them Alexas — began beeping out what was essentially an alarm. We had them in four different rooms at home, mostly for the music.
I went from room to room in the dream, turning them off. The beeping continued and I went back and unplugged them. The beeping continued and I started smashing one of them with a baseball bat.
By now you have probably realized what was really happening …
My actual 4:30 alarm finally broke through the fog and awakened me.
At 4:39 p.m.
Wow.
Mike, you’ve been through such a difficult transition, getting Nicole situated and letting go of the lifestyle you and she enjoyed together. I sense that you’re feeling unsettled about it, and that level of consternation would affect anyone’s sleep patterns. I’m glad you have Nicole nearby, so you can both keep a watchful eye on each other, but I’m so sorry you’re not feeling more comfortable with your new living arrangements. I wonder if there are there activities there? Or a nicely landscaped environment with a walking trail? The only reason I ask is that exercise, like yoga classes, daily swims or long walks, can be so miraculous in easing sleep problems. Another benefit of exercise classes is the social engagement. Forging new bonds, making new acquaintances, finding a comfort level in meeting others (who may be coping with similar upheaval in their own lives) and joining them for coffee or meals, might help you sleep better, too. I haven’t faced the situation you’re facing, but I have experienced profound personal loss, and I have also experienced the positive results of long walks and yoga classes (specifically) for encouraging relaxation, correcting sleep disturbances and easing the anxiety and trepidation that always seem to accompany the shock of change. I hope things get better for you. Peace.