Begrudgingly, A Sleeping Beauty

I'm learning to be okay with missing a party or even two when slumber beckons.

I’ve been a sleep freak of nature from the moment I was born. Which has been a huge asset to my party proclivities. I not only happily exist, but thrive with little sleep while being extremely active and sharp minded. The velocity is exquisite. Which is especially true when I arrive home after a night/day out and perhaps an afters or two. In those solitary moments, I'm not necessarily doing any substances. I sometimes just ride a wave of energy becoming oddly yet fantastically super productive. I’ll do things like organize all of my cabinets or zhuzh and clean out my closet. Riveting, right?! But I love this state of being so much. It’s a no cost high, and one that catapults me into a freer, looser and more creative way of thought because my brain’s not occupied by as much self doubt and overthinking. Simply put, it's a quicker route from thought to action.

My mom says that toddler me was a struggle bus to get into bed. Looking for any and all excuses at any and all times. Especially during long summer nights when the sun went down past my 7:00 bedtime. She'd lure me into the house and then once ensnared would say “see Tovah, it's night and time to go to bed”. She cleverly used my infantile illiteracy to her advantage. So smart. She'd close all the shades and blinds and make the house dark, then coerce my obstinate touches into bed. Which I’m guessing was followed by a long sigh of relief.

The photographer at my Bat Mitzvah had me pose as if I was sleeping. I remember thinking “I would never” and regret this inauthentic faux pose to this day.

As the years have gone by not much has changed. I’m a vers night owl and day owl. Out here bopping around with my wide eyes taking everything in. Before I go further, an important note- I'm not suggesting that folks shouldn't sleep or get less sleep. I believe you should listen to your body clock and follow its innate rhythm. Which I was doing all fine and dandy until a bought of COVID rocked my circadian rhythm.