A thread for the 3 am crew

Yes I m sure you’re right Helterskelter why do we have to torture ourselves so much
I never remember any of the nice things I ve done I m not a depressed person quite a positive person in fact but I internalise so much and always remember the difficult negative bits when in private
X

I think that’s natural, BlueBelle. When we are awake in the early hours we are alone, even when there are others in the house, and there is little to do and nobody to do it with unless we wake someone, and they’d be unlikely to appreciate that 😀. Our minds work overtime when there are no distractions.

I’ve been awake for ages too. My husband woke me when he got up to use the loo. My son and DIL are leaving at around 6.45, so there’s not much point in trying too hard to sleep. They said not to get up to see them off, but if I am awake I may as well make breakfast for them. I packed sandwiches for them last night, but they are working today so they can keep them for lunch.

One thing I do find helps with insomnia is a set of sleep headphones. They are basically an eye mask with very slim headphones built in. You Bluetooth them to your phone and can play music, white noise, stories, hypnosis- anything you like, which takes your mind off being awake. I use an app called Rain Rain, which is free unless you want advanced features, and has numerous rain sounds, from a light shower to crashing thunder. I find it soothing, but as I say, you can play anything through the headphones. Mine are Snoozeband ones, and come with built in sounds and an app of their own, but you can get more basic ones very cheaply to see if you like them. Look on Amazon to get an idea - they start at about £15.

I m on my own so no need for headphones Doodlebug 🤣
I do listen to the radio and play games and being awake doesn’t worry me at all I m used to it
But a good tip for any who have a partner

Fair point, but if you listen to things like rain through headphones it is so much more immersive. I use mine whether my husband is there or not. The eye mask blocks out light, too.

Not slept yet, hard not to think of it as the flip side of the eight hours the night before. A routine sort of day ahead, a bit of dust removal, some soup to make and beginning to dismantle Christmas. Nothing stressful. I’ve played some games, read a lot, begun a shopping order for next week and now feel decidedly grumpy as I’m tired. I’ll slide out and make a cuppa, bring it back to bed and go back to the book. Sleep either will or won’t come, no point me being grumpy - although I am . Hope you’re all sleeping soundly.

Like corner, I had a magnificent 8 hours the previous night and am now paying for it. Gah!😩 And yes, grumping doesn’t help.
I’m braving the crowds in the shops this morning. After a very, very careful year, I’ve got a few savings and may get some sale items, like new bras…

Afraid I am grumping. Still. Usually I’m fine reading, not tonight. Can’t settle and concentrate. Happy shopping grandmattie. Hope you find some bargains.

I've been awake since about 2pm. I've been up and made tea and had a snack. I'll try to get back to sleep but doubt it.
I'm working, I nearly said tomorrow, I mean later this morning.

Good luck with the sales gMattie
I bought some boots on Friday, took them back yesterday as they were uncomfortable. I bought a warm coat too.
It's really cold here.

Hello fellow wideawakies.

Not a bad night for me. Probably 6 hours in chunks.

I have emptied the dishwasher and put away. Also the washing machine although the sheet and duvet cover will need to go in the spin dryer before going on the line. My washing machine is old and has attitude. Sometimes spins well and sometimes doesn't spin at all.

Am back in bed with a milky decaff coffee and refilled hottie and will read after making a quick to do list. Maybe will go back to sleep, but I doubt it.

I have been meaning to ask you Grandmattie does your church give you some petty cash towards the homemade mincemeat, mince pies, marmalade, piccalilli, biscuits and cakes you provide?

It would be rather a shame if you have to be careful all year before you can buy things you need for yourself while making a very large donation of expensive ingredients ...and your time.

I ve had a good night missed the 3 am wake and went to 5 am listening to LBC now and playing games on the computer back to getting up at 6 as back to work today Yippee can’t wait it’s been so dismal since Christmas weather too miserable to want to go anywhere so just pottering around the house doing nothing much 🥱

It's frustrating when your day begins in the early hours but you can't make a noise because of other people. I've just been replacing all the batteries in my Christmas lights, and am now watering my house plants, so at least my time hasn't been wasted.

Oh, yes,I do helter. With the vicar’s permission, I “lift” a note here and there. It probably covers many expenses.

And I’m very frugal by nature, so manage savings without too many problems.
I have very little space in my flat so rarely get “stuff”. I do need bras and my boots are falling apart, etc. Replacement shopping on the whole.

I am so pleased to hear that grandMattie.
That is how it should be. Good ingredients are so very expensive now.
Your time is your donation and that is priceless.

I'm really glad that you get reimbursed grandMattie .
We don't at my church and we are feeling the pinch .
We have a weekly warm space and though everyone is welcome whether they attend church or not I think that it puts a huge strain on limited resources.

I started an eye infection yesterday and this flu hasn't gone away.
I had a rough night and woke up at one ,three and five .
I made tea ,did a few chores and watched some twaddle on TV -think it was Up Pompei .
Hopefully today this lingering bug will pass off .

Well here I am , wide awake and it’s not even 2 o ‘clock. A cup of tea I think, a read and then try again. I’ll probably be fast asleep tonight and miss The New Year coming in .

I haven’t visited for a few nights as I have slept reasonably well since Christmas Day, no reason, I just have, however not tonight.
Normal service has been resumed.
I had a couple of hours but wide awake now.
There is a heavy frost, the cars are very white, -1 just now.
We were promised snow but that forecast seems to have changed now, I get quite excited by the prospect but then remember workers and travellers and feel guilty.

Only just managed to get back on to GN. I wonder what the problem was.
I had a reasonable but not terrific night. Woke very early again. It's freezing cold here and out fire is broken. Just heard that the necessary replacement parts are now unavailable. Oh I do miss the glow of a fire.

Rather an early visit, but not too early to wish everyone Happy New Year. Hopefully still asleep, even if I'm not.

Wide awake here. I do know why. We had a day out with family and somehow I had a caffeine laden drink in the afternoon. It’s fatal as I rarely have caffeine in drinks. Oh well. The day out was worth it. A rare treat. I’ll settle with a new book I think. Another treat. Rest well everyone and all the best for the new year. Thank you all for your early hours company.

Happy New Year, nightbirds.

Lots of noisy fireworks here ( the neighbours favour those thunderclap ones) so our dog was having hysterics and had to come in bed with us where he was shaking and panting so hard and sitting on my head ( he'd not small) and pawing at me. Poor thing. Sleep was impossible until bangs finished long after 12. Dog is now fast asleep and I am wide awake.

I dozed off after the fireworks but have woken up coughing and having to sit up so as not to be sick!!
I shall read for a while until I feel better.
Happy New Year to you all.

Happy New Year to one and all.

I have decreed that 2026 is going to be wonderful! Good sleep, contentment, no bad things happening, etc.

If there were fireworks around, I didn’t hear them, so slept adequately . We are mostly elderly around this particular area, next to a posh girls school which is closed for the holidays.

I’m having a few of my fellow residents who are alone and want a bit of companionship to tea this afternoon. DD has also invited me to dinner; quite unexpected as they usually are too busy to see me.
Hope your cough subsides enough for you to sleep a bit utbb.

Happy New year ,one and all. Let’s hope it is a good one personally and for this worried world.
Not much on today but out tomorrow for the day with DH as it is our 61 st wedding anniversary.