[Skyeisarose]

Hi, y’all! I recently started self-employing CBT-I techniques based on research I’ve done on my own (working on figuring out how to afford professional help), and I have a question about some anxieties I face. Anxiety is generally something I struggle with, as well as obsessive thinking. I’m working on it, but it has become even more challenging with the onset of insomnia (since about July of last year my sleep quality has been degrading to the point of a few hours a night maximum now).

I know that I don’t need a “full night’s rest” to _function_, but I do start to feel hopeless and like I “need” more sleep when I experience more of the severe symptoms of only sleeping a couple hours a night—memory problems, emotional reactivity, lessened physical coordination, exhaustion throughout some of my days. Feeling these symptoms of lack of sleep makes me feel like a lesser version of myself and then I worry more and get more attached to the idea that I “need” more sleep to function in the capacity I want to function at. I also struggle with perfectionism, that may be part of it.

Does anyone have any advice for learning how to accept that it’s okay for me to not be performing at some “ideal capacity”? I tend to blame it on the lack of sleep and then fixate on “if I could just get enough sleep, life would be a little easier”, and I’m not sure that’s the right path.

[Martin Reed]

I know you’ve enrolled in my online course since you posted this — so you now have access to the client forum for future questions and concerns. However, I didn’t want to leave this unanswered!

It sounds as though you might find it helpful to practice some self-kindness — to not be so hard on yourself when things are difficult. To practice being comfortable with something a bit less than perfection (especially when the pinnacle of perfection might be connected to something you can’t directly control, such as what you think and how you sleep).

Life is rarely easy — and yet, even when things are difficult, we can usually do things (no matter how small) that keep us moving in the direction we want to head. Toward the kind of life we want to live and the person we want to be. If we continue to do that, maybe any “imperfections” and the difficult stuff that comes with being a human being (and that are out of our control) might start to be less influential and have less of a hold over our lives.

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If you are ready to stop struggling with insomnia you can enroll in the online insomnia coaching course right now! If you would prefer ongoing phone or video coaching calls as part of a powerful three month program that will help you reclaim your life from insomnia, consider applying for the Insomnia Mastery program.

The content of this post is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

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