Sleep: an indulgent, satisfactory, somewhat escape from reality. How much is too much? When does not getting out of bed become harmful? Some, who would love to indulge in the comforts of their sheets until the end of time, would say never. And up until a year ago, the former was me.
How could I resist the solace my own bed brought me? In a cold world, full of responsibilities and deadlines and hatred and cruelty, lying on my mattress was the only place I felt warm. But as I repeated the cycle of waking up, staying in bed, falling asleep, then hearing my alarm clock, I began to wonder why my bed became less supportive each day. So I stepped out.
Some things I’ve learned once I got out of bed:
I learned how to longboard. I’ve always wanted to try riding something on wheels, because I can’t. To be honest, although this is quite embarrassing, I don’t knowhow to ride a bike. Longboarding is my outlet whenever I feel stressed and overwhelmed. Instead of hiding under my blankets, I can longboard on a smooth road. I feel free from my worries when I’m able to cruise.
Another useful thing I’ve picked up is cooking! I’m not a Michelin star chef, but I do love how rewarding it is to eat a meal I put so much effort into. My favorite dishes are always some variation of pasta.
Putting a halt to my sluggishness has also given me more time to embrace my love for reading. When I take the time to enjoy a book, I feel like I become placed into another dimension. I love the possibilities reading gives me; books are my favorite respite.
I also finally found a style that I can feel confident in. As I reflected, I realized that another reason I didn’t want to get out of bed was because I felt insecure about the way I looked, dressed, and appeared to others. I went through too many style changes and told my mom “it’s not a phase” a countless number of times. But now, I’m able to feel confident through my style.
I don’t hate sleep.
Don’t get me wrong, I love sleeping just as much as the next person. However, unlike before, I now spend my time doing other things that aren’t hopelessly lying in bed. I’ve learned so much about myself and have grown happier as a person. These activities that bring me joy have given me a different, more positive outlook on life compared to the one I had before. If you’re struggling to get out of bed like I was, I encourage you to brainstorm some activities that might boost your reasons to get up. However, if you are doubtful and need some extra motivation, don’t hesitate to reach out to someone- maybe even a professional. There’s no shame in getting help if you need it! Always remember that you have people who care about you and want you to love life outside of your bed.
