"How do you function?"
This is the most common question I'm asked.
When people learn that I've spent the last six years plus existing on a miniscule amount of sleep, they are shocked, because I always seem so energetic apparently (they should see me at 3am!)
I used to love my sleep, and in my younger days had an uncanny ability to nod off just about anywhere - as demonstrated in the photo above.
Nowadays, because sleep is in such short supply, there are lots of little things I do to get through my day. So here we go... in no particular order...
Coffee. I've come to realise that I absolutely adore the black stuff, and that it makes me very happy indeed. I only drink freshly brewed, cap it at three cups per day, and try to be done with my caffeine fest by midday. Otherwise I'll be laying in bed wired, unable to capitalise on the few precious moments shut eye I can snatch before the kidlets start their triple team sleep thievery act.
Extra long toilet breaks. How else would I get my blog written? In fact how do you think I'm writing this post?
Making my peace with having a messy house. I've accepted that my house will rock the just been burgled look most days, and I don't let it bother me. My kids can trash the place in an exceptionally short amount of time, and I'm hardly going to waste my energy picking up toys all day long am I? Oh how the standards have dropped between child #1 and #3!
Catching up with good friends. Not the school gate mums, not the play group mums, but real mates. Gals that make me belly laugh, and know me inside out. I'm very lucky that I have lots on my doorstep with children similar ages to mine, and I make a big effort to regularly see the ones who aren't so close by. Then there's always Skype if distance is a problem (several of my besties live in Australia).
TV babysitter. I don't beat myself up for sticking the kids in front of iPlayer or Netflix so I can do a bit of writing, cooking, or staring into space.
Not keeping a tally. I stopped mourning the lost hours of rest a long time ago, and see no value in banging on about the obvious. I've politely told all my friends not to ask 'how last night was' because there's a 99% chance my honest answer would be 'horrendous'.
Eating great food. I eat a super clean diet which keeps me level and boosts my brain. This means saying a big fat no to refined carbs and sugars and eating tons of salads and good quality proteins and fats.
Funky music. There's nothing like a bit of Uptown Funk or Shake it Off to snap me out of a foul mood.
A little tipple. If all else fails and it's been one of those days, then I'll have a G&T (just the one) to help me survive the witching hour.
Going to bed as early as possible. I put my phone on aeroplane mode and head upstairs somewhere between 9-9:30pm. The bliss I feel climbing into bed and under the duvet is pretty indescribable. Even though in my heart of hearts I know that I'll be woken up roughly 15 seconds after falling asleep, I shall remain optimistic!