First change

[vaneramos]

Now about the first of 6 Changes for 2011: "read books before bed every night". This might have sounded like the most self-indulgent of the lot, but in fact it has multiple purposes.

To begin with, I need to improve my sleeping habits. Drastically. I am chronically sleep-deprived. To some indeterminate extent, this is due to insomnia and brain chemistry beyond my control. On the other hand, I habitually go to bed between 11:30 and midnight, knowing full well I need to begin waking up by 6 a.m. This relates to bad habits begun years ago. I would thrive on seven hours. So perhaps the most important goal behind this change is to make a habit of getting to sleep around 11 p.m.

It is hard to change a bad habit when self-indulgence is involved. I stay up too late because I don't want to sacrifice the time doing things I like. The best way to change a bad habit is to replace it with something you enjoy.

I love reading, but rarely do. It goes in cycles. During the last bout of reading in 2008, I must have read eight or ten novels within four months. One of them, The Mistress of Florence, appears in the favourite book userpic. Since then I have picked away at a few, but have not completed another novel.

However, this proposed new habit will not only be self-indulgent. I need to read. To be a good writer one must read good literature with a critical eye, find inspiration, and expand one's vocabulary of words and ideas. So this is also about developing my career.

Another "bad habit" comes into play here: computer games! I love them, particularly Catan: Cities and Knights and Civilization III. Okay, there is nothing really wrong with playing them. They help me wind down at night. Unfortunately, I don't wind down soon enough; they tempt me to stay up playing longer and longer. Reading, on the other hand, makes me sleepy. So I must sacrifice nightly gaming time for the greater good.

Even since the worst period of insomnia ended last month, I've slept inadequately. I've never caught up. I still feel run down. I have a good immune system and seldom catch colds or flus, but this week I developed the worst cold in several years. I'm exhausted. I've felt motivated to change. Any day now!

In fact I took a book to bed last night and turned the light out at 11, but it doesn't count!

I need a plan. If I succeed in establishing the habit, it will cause a significant shift in energy and rhythm. One shouldn't toy with these things. No doubt, the next few weeks will be difficult.

For example, I know from experience weaning myself off computer games in the past, I may resent the sacrifice. I relapse easily.

I believe the 6 Changes method can help. I've considered this shift for many months. I've counted costs and benefits. While deferring specific action, I've developed motivation and desire. I want to cut down on gaming not because it is "a stupid waste of time", but because reading serves me better. If this change sticks, it will make me happier and healthier. Maybe even smarter.

So here is the goal: by the end of February I want to be in bed with a book by 10:30 every night except Tuesday (Tuesday I don't get home from Writers' Circle until 10:15, but should be in bed by 11:00). Fridays and Saturdays I may stay up later if there is a good reason (a social event, for example), otherwise they should be the same as any other night, because routine is the key to good sleep hygiene.

Here is the first step: this week I aim to be in bed with a book by 11:00 on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. I will concentrate on a book or magazine. I can take the laptop to look up specific words or concepts that turn up in reading (perhaps even to read online books or essays), but if the internet proves too distracting I will consider disallowing it. Lights out whenever I get sleepy, 11:30 at the latest. The other nights I'll be flexible. I'll see how it goes for two weeks, then make an additional shift.

The book of choice for now is an old favourite, Cultivating Sacred Space by Elizabeth Murray. Her chapter about winter describes concepts on which I have been ruminating in my handwritten winter journal.

Comments

[liadra.livejournal.com]

I should do this, too. I'm currently reading "His Dark Materials" - so far I'm not very far into it. It's a very large book! I expect it to take several months. Other than that I'd like to read a book a month (at least). It's been far too long since I read regularly and I miss it. Too much internet and television.

Always need a plan...

[blt4success66.livejournal.com]

I am reading "The Success Principles" by Jack Canfield and one of the guiding principles he's teaching me is that a plan is absolutely necessary to achieve the goal. Also, writing down your goal and putting it in your wallet and re-reading everyday is important.

We'll see what happens.

Good luck, Van!