Sleep Struggles

TheNightmare · October 6

I often struggle to sleep, not just because of my job search but due to loads of other things as well. Last night, I was having trouble sleeping over the job search and other thoughts. Sometimes, I feel really unhappy with how things have turned out. I'm not working yet, so I don't have much of an income or a routine, and I often find myself at home. I don’t go out much, maybe several times a week. I have a small circle of friends, and we might go to a pub quiz, but it’s not really what I imagined I'd be doing at this stage in my life. Several years ago, I thought I’d be in a completely different position.

I'm trying to change things, and getting into work is my priority. I’ve been trying, but I haven’t had much luck so far. Maybe I'm getting closer, hopefully, but I still feel quite negative. I feel like I just need something to go well, and then I might feel more positive, and other things will start to fall into place. I know there are a few good things about myself, but last night, I was really struggling with all of this, along with past issues I’ve faced in the last few months. I tend to overthink and dwell on the past a lot, which only adds to the difficulty.

I don’t want to play the victim and act like I've done everything perfectly or be seen as an angel, because I know I'm not. I just want to move forward, reach my potential, and get where I want to be in life, but it hasn’t been easy. I also want to start sleeping better. I had been feeling okay for the past couple of days, but last night I struggled again. I ended up falling asleep later in the morning, just as everyone else was getting up, and didn’t wake up until after 12 p.m. I only got up because my uncle rang me to ask if I wanted to get some food, so now I’m waiting for him.

I've struggled with sleep for a long time. Even back in college, I’d be stressed out in bed, finally fall asleep, and then have to get up just an hour or so later for class, feeling completely tired. That same feeling of exhaustion is hitting me now.

Orchid059 · October 6

Hi @TheNightmare I can hear how you are struggling at the moment. The lack of sleep can be such a vicious cycle because the worries keep you up, so that means feeling tired and groggy and then the lack of sleep can ultimately cause more worries, so I perfectly understand how difficult it is to break this routine. I'd like to remind you that you are doing well and to be patient with yourself. We are only human and there are going to be occasions where we have setbacks and that's okay.

It seems like you have a lot of expectations of yourself and while it can be frustrating that you're not at the stage you want to be yet, these things take time and little steps make all the difference. For the time being, I would try and focus on getting your sleep back to a good routine again. Have you tried limited screen time before bed? I know that being on an electronic device immediately for bed makes me feel awake for hours. Secondly, have you tried listening to some mindfullness while lying in bed before you attempt to sleep? That might just put your racing thoughts to bed.

It's worth a try. Let us know how you get on. We have every faith in you!

pharmagirl27 · October 6

@TheNightmare Hello, I hope you are doing alright. I understand how difficult it must be to struggle with sleep. I am myself have been struggling for quite a while and feel similar to you too. I have little motivation to do anything and have recently become more happy with being by myself.
How long has this been going on for? have you tried anything like @Orchid059 mentioned- listening to some peaceful sounds.

TheNightmare · October 7

TheNightmare wrote: »

I often struggle to sleep, not just because of my job search but due to loads of other things as well. Last night, I was having trouble sleeping over the job search and other thoughts. Sometimes, I feel really unhappy with how things have turned out. I'm not working yet, so I don't have much of an income or a routine, and I often find myself at home. I don’t go out much, maybe several times a week. I have a small circle of friends, and we might go to a pub quiz, but it’s not really what I imagined I'd be doing at this stage in my life. Several years ago, I thought I’d be in a completely different position.

I'm trying to change things, and getting into work is my priority. I’ve been trying, but I haven’t had much luck so far. Maybe I'm getting closer, hopefully, but I still feel quite negative. I feel like I just need something to go well, and then I might feel more positive, and other things will start to fall into place. I know there are a few good things about myself, but last night, I was really struggling with all of this, along with past issues I’ve faced in the last few months. I tend to overthink and dwell on the past a lot, which only adds to the difficulty.

I don’t want to play the victim and act like I've done everything perfectly or be seen as an angel, because I know I'm not. I just want to move forward, reach my potential, and get where I want to be in life, but it hasn’t been easy. I also want to start sleeping better. I had been feeling okay for the past couple of days, but last night I struggled again. I ended up falling asleep later in the morning, just as everyone else was getting up, and didn’t wake up until after 12 p.m. I only got up because my uncle rang me to ask if I wanted to get some food, so now I’m waiting for him.

I've struggled with sleep for a long time. Even back in college, I’d be stressed out in bed, finally fall asleep, and then have to get up just an hour or so later for class, feeling completely tired. That same feeling of exhaustion is hitting me now.

@Orchid059 Hi, thanks for your reply and support.

Regarding screen time, yes, I've been working on reducing it before bed. I realized that being on my phone or computer late at night or early morning can keeps me more awake. I haven't tried mindfulness yet, but I think I could look at it. Thanks again for the support

TheNightmare · October 7

pharmagirl27 wrote: »

@TheNightmare Hello, I hope you are doing alright. I understand how difficult it must be to struggle with sleep. I am myself have been struggling for quite a while and feel similar to you too. I have little motivation to do anything and have recently become more happy with being by myself.
How long has this been going on for? have you tried anything like @Orchid059 mentioned- listening to some peaceful sounds.

@pharmagirl27
Hi, thank you for reaching out. I’m sorry to hear you’re going through something similar. It’s tough when you feel drained and unmotivated, especially when it affects things like sleep. For me, it’s been a while, probably since I finished college and started struggling to find work so a few years. I've struggled with for longer to just struggles getting to sleep but I think the work search jas made it harder. It’s been frustrating, and it feels like things have been piling up ever since.

How long have you been feeling this way?

Sleep Struggles

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