A few weeks ago, my body clock was completely up the creek thanks to a combination of menopause, insomnia and a mind filled with one hundred and one things to do. I seemed to be waking around 4.30am and then, not surprisingly, crashing out at 9pm (sometimes even earlier). It led me to an interesting train of thought.
Our beliefs.
On many occasions I have talked and written about how our belief system works. The simplified version being that many of beliefs that we have as adults derive from our learnings as children, whether we learn them from parents, siblings, teachers or others. Often these beliefs are carried through into adulthood, even if they no longer serve us well or are no longer appropriate.
So, where am I going with this?
Well, as I lay in bed at 4am, trying to get back to sleep, my mind reverted to that of a child where I hadn’t been allowed to get up until it was the “right time”. This was usually between 6.30am and 7am, hence lying there feeling horribly anxious and this is what interested me.
At the wonderful age of 55, definitely an adult, living in my own home, I can write the rules. What a revelation!
What works well for you?
If I want to get up at 4.30am, make myself a cuppa, sit in the garden or even start some work – I can. It’s my house, my rules. The same goes for bedtime. If I want to go to bed early or incredibly late, who cares? It’s entirely up to me!
Isn’t it interesting that there are so many habits that we formed in our childhood that then limit us as we get older without even realising it? As grown-ups we can decide how we live and we can make up the rules to suit our lifestyles, making them work for us.
What other rules can we break or set in our homes?
- If you want to eat pasta for breakfast, you can. It might not be the most nutritious but if that’s what you fancy, do it!
- If having a bath at 4 o’clock in the afternoon is relaxing for you and you have the time, why not?
- Don’t fancy roast dinner on Sunday? Rather have a family pizza and chill with the kids? Your house, your rules – you can!
- If getting up really early to get some personal admin done suits you, embrace it. Enjoy the peace and quiet and motor through it.
Ditch the rule book.
What I’m saying is it’s time to ditch the rule book. Your home is your space, and as an adult, you get to create the system that works best for you and everyone who lives there. Who cares what anyone else thinks? Take a good look around. Are there things you could tweak to make life smoother? Maybe there are lingering childhood habits that just don’t fit your current needs. It’s time to throw away that old rule book and start creating your own new one that works better for the life you are living today.
