Sleep Deprivation Part I: Just how tired am I?

This is me after three nights of four wake ups in the middle of the night.

(As you can see, I am still OK, to say, drive a car. ish. But very, very fragile)

Today, I offer an exercise

Locate and list the warning signs of over-exhaustion.

The tricky think about being very very very tired is that it's a bit like hypothermia, you don't necessarily feel tired. But once you figure out the signals, then you get a free pass to, say, avoid harsh judgement about, just for instance, the organizing systems of your desk and closets, or, the amount of rotting food/leftover-and-overs in your frig, or even, the number of unanswered emails in your inbox.

I have been tired for long enough that my over-tired warning list is in very good order. I know that if the sight of one of my stuffed to the gills closet brings tears to my eyes, I realize I'm exhausted and I need to shut the door immediately and do something that does not involve organizing of any kind.

Or, another alarm bell: if while listening to the Sound of Music soundtrack yet again( that I actually don't mind) but then, when I hear the beginning of "Climb Every Mountain," I feel like I could scratch my cheeks until they bleed because I hate the song so much, I know I'm way too tired to take on any kind of complex conversation about my direction in life.

Oh, and here is one that I sometimes use as a litmus test: When I am beyond exhausted, I can't read a full paragraph; I'm not able to concentrate enough to glean meaning from the group of sentences. So, if I'm not quite sure how far gone I am, I'll pick up a book or a magazine and check.

Here is your assignment for the week: have a piece of paper and a pad handy.

Wait, I need to stop: I realize this might be the most challenging part of the assignment. If this is proving overwhelming, set out art materials and supplies "for your child". So under the guise of supporting your kid's creative expression, you will also have a writing utensil at the ready.

Now, step two: just jot down things that drive you insane and make you feel overwhelmed that normally do not phase you. We will talk about the many ways this list can serve us tomorrow.

Needless to say, sleep deprivation is a rich and abundant font from which we as single parents will draw inspiration and clarity often. Good luck with your lists!

Sleep well all,

Darcy