Learn how to use insomnia to your advantage by acknowledging the way you value your experience of time.
It’s 5:00am and my alarm just went off. I’ve been up since 2:30am after falling asleep at 10:50pm. Another episode. Insomnia: 728 Veronica: 1
I always wake up in the middle of the night.
I’m pretty sure I’ve experienced insomnia since I was a baby. There is not a time I can recall where I’ve slept through the night for more than week.
This message isn’t going to be one of those self-help articles telling you to fix your sleep schedule. I can’t model anything I don’t do myself. What I can show you, though, is how I use insomnia to my advantage.
Insomnia…what is it?
Simply put, insomnia is the lack of a consistent sleep schedule. It is the experience of the moments when you can’t sleep for known and unknown reasons.
To model a consistent sleep schedule:
VPerspective Tip
Understand that a consistent sleep schedule is a structured routine where you go to sleep and wakeup at the same time regardless of socioeconomic influences. Developing routines take time. Be patient and attentive with yourself and others.
Experiencing insomnia is about your state of mind
First, the lack of sleep is a direct product of your state of mind. This mind state can be influenced by socioeconomic factors including whether you feel comfortable in life.
Your comfort is impacted by your bed, your friends, your education, your health lifestyle, and many more interactions or distractions.
Attention: You get distracted too?! Check out this article to learn how to work with distractions.
My mind races. It feels like I am flying through exhausting scenarios in my head one after another.
Mind chatter is what I call this constant flow of thoughts. It can be hard to shut off and experience peace -or so we are told…
Engaging in healthy forms of expression taught me otherwise.
How you experience your time is what matters most
What do you do when you can’t sleep? Are you the type of person that stares at the wall feeling frustrated with your thoughts? Do you get up and start doing something in attempts to make yourself tired? Do you drink wine, smoke, or masturbate? Or are you the type to succumb to the inevitable dread of pulling an all-nighter?
I’ve experienced many episodes of insomnia and they each have their own flair. This list above is a limited version of the nights I’ve experienced.
Additionally, you’re blessed if you can phone a friend.
Even in my early adult years I wrapped myself in a ball in the middle of my bed and tried to rock myself to sleep.
When I can’t sleep, I stopped forcing myself to fall asleep. It’s a losing battle every time.
Instead, I acknowledge my state of mind by reflecting on the moments that lead up to experiencing this sleepless night.
I ask myself a series of questions that help me decide what step to take next. For example, I use my insomnia times to write, edit pictures and videos for VPerspective Photography, exercise, healthy snack, create, clean, pray, and whatever made me active.
I’ve always had my own space, so performing midnight activities is always available.
If you live in a home with others, quietly engage in activities that soothe your mind.
Time is the one thing we can’t get back and there is no way to “catch up” on sleep. Learn how to use your time wisely.
Experiencing insomnia led me to being an avid reader and writer, and a stellar student.
I am writing this message to you because I wonder how you can be an Insomnia Success too.
It is a building tool.
Use episodes of insomnia to build the life you want to experience.
It is no secret that we create this experience through the thoughts we cling to.
Maybe, insomnia isn’t so bad after all. It’s been going twenty-four years for me and I am succeeding with insomnia.
Finally, be mindful with your experience of time. Let insomnia service you.
With peace,
Veronica Speaks
Veronica Speaks 
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