Wake up! Wake up! … WAKE UP!
High kicks or hydration, whatever it takes - just don’t fall asleep
Hey, you know what’s a really great idea when you’ve got just about enough time to meet all your freelance commitments? Take on some extra work. That’s the way, isn’t it?
And that’s the reason I was up till the wee small hours five nights in a row. I tried to remember the last time I’d worked like that and realised that there were only two points in my life when this sort of thing was business as usual: first, when I was student; and then again when I had a really evil boss.
Working on the wrong side of midnight is a badge of honour for students - or at least it was in my day, I can’t believe things have changed that much. But more importantly I was only in that position because I had far too many things going on. (I know, shocking isn’t it?) With a part-time job and half-a-dozen extra curricular activities on the go, it’s amazing that I fitted in any actual studying at all.
Conversely, all the midnight oil I burned in my early career was not my own fault - unless you count my inability to stand up to a total arse who will surely burn in hell when the massive heart-attack that we all prayed for finally arrives. (I wonder what they do with middle-managers in hell - or do they just end up helping to run the place?)
It’s been helpful to have these two extremes to reflect on, they create an “own fault” spectrum on which to plot the past week’s events. It’s very close to the studenty end, for sure. Yes, it’s my own doing and yes, I’m knackered - but I’m enjoying it all. So, even in my most exhausted moments, I haven’t felt the least bit resentful. And I didn’t beat myself up about my “poor choices” either - they weren’t “poor”, I wouldn’t take any of it back.
So, for over-committers everywhere, I present my top tips for staying awake when you absolutely have to.
1) Sit up
This might seem obvious but stay at your desk. The sofa, the comfy chair, the bed - they are not your friend, however appealing they may seem. If you get too comfy, you are in the nodding-off danger zone.
2) Dance break
If your head does start to nod, you need to take evasive action immediately - kitchen disco! (Headphones on, natch, and no jumping - unless you want your neighbours to hate you.) One favourite, bouncy tune will do you more good than 10 espressos. I recommend anything that makes/made* you dash for the dancefloor (*delete according to your age). Classic musicals are also a rich seam - fun numbers with a lot of high kicks, ideally something truly silly. In fact, daftness is key - anything that makes you laugh while you jig about is a winner.
3) Food & drink
I don’t think it matters what you drink as long as you keep drinking (booze and chamomile tea, excepted). Some people say water, experience steers most of us toward caffeine - be it coffee or cola. But hydration is the key. As for food, little and often proved to be the winner for me - a full stomach = sleepy time.
4) Big shop
And speaking of food, if you see a string of long days and nights coming, make sure you get a good supply of healthy food in. I don’t say this lightly - you know my feelings about the importance of biscuits and Monster Munch. But a woman cannot live by beige food alone - just stick some orange juice and green veg and salad bits in the basket, and thank me later. Maybe some of those grapes, if they're not too pricey?
5) Reward
Know what you’re going to do “when this is all over”. (Apart from sleep like a log.) That box-set you want to finish watching. The online shopping you want to do. The bottle of wine you’re going to drink with a straw. Every time you feel your will to keep going is slipping, visualise how great it’s going to be on the other side...
Business name of the week
Cocktail bar in East London, Tequila Mockingbird. Viewed from the bus window, so I don’t know whether the literary theme continues throughout. Also it was 8.30am so they probably weren’t open yet. Although, who knows in Shoreditch, eh?
Badge pinboard
Because you can’t have too many red pandas. (With thanks to Rachel J).
Oh, alright…
OK, one quick dance and then everyone has to get on with their work. All together now: One… Singular sensation…
Wake up! Wake up! … WAKE UP!
You’ve just resolved a 28 year old Treehouse of Horror joke that I didn't understand as a child: https://youtu.be/4chSOb3bY6Y