Have you ever paid to sleep?
It sounds ridiculous, I admit. But last week, Allen and I made the bold decision that $12 was a bargain for one hour and 45 minutes of mid-day shut-eye.
We had been pulling weird hours already, trying to fit in a chunk of time before our 6 year old went off to his first grade world, and then again after our 14-month-old had his bath and went to sleep. Of course, there was the working chunk in between, too.
On a Wednesday — which was not an unusual Wednesday in the course of our Married-With-Biz life — we found ourselves spinning wheels, bleary-eyed, and simply lacking steam of any kind. To look at Allen was to see some version of Forrest Gump on valium, and I know I didn’t look much different.
The clock had just struck 2:00pm. Our youngest son, Declan, was in daycare, which he goes to 2-3 times/week. Our oldest son, Joe, was due to get out of school at 3:05, and one of us usually picks him up from school at that time, or else gets him at 3:25 at the bus stop.
Did I mention we had been putting in crazy hours?
Anyway, we had a bold insight. What if we called the occasional after-school sitter, and had her pick Joe up from school…simply so we could squeeze in a much-needed – *gulp* – NAP???
In some parenting circles, this is nothing short of blasphemy. For the guilt-ridden (like me), this is a ticket to The Bad Parent Hall of Shame. However, that day, I simply didn’t care. Sometimes, you just have to throw in the towel. We had arrived at said time.
Those of us who own our own businesses sometimes forget to take advantage of the “perks.” Maybe it’s because of the unshakable residue of our former 9-5 lives, or the voices of friends, family, and associates who’ve openly shared their views of what a good work ethic looks like, how napping in the middle of the work week is LAZY…
Or maybe it’s because of our own fears of inadequacy. Often we’re beholden to the idea that if we don’t constantly push ourselves during our limited windows of opportunity (i.e. when the kids aren’t pulling at our legs, when laundry and dinner and household amusements aren’t tugging at our attentions), we’ll sink like a lead lemming with cinder blocks on its feet. After all, if WE don’t suck it up, take up the slack, make things happen, inspire opportunities, invent miracles, dig our heels in and crank up the heat, who will?
Unfortunately, that merciless, can-do/must-do/go-go-go attitude catches up to us. It’s downright exhausting.
Fortunately, turns out the perfect antidote takes one hour and 45 minutes, and costs just 12 bucks.
For those of you feeling sloggy and groggy these days, wrapping up your 2008, prepping for your 2009, beautifying presents, playing Santa, spreading holiday cheer to everyone in our contacts list, heed the words of the late, great Janis Joplin and “Get it while you can.” Give yourself the gift of a $12 nap. It’s the fastest, cheapest way to feel merry, bright, and mighty again…and it may even remind you of the oft-forgotten blessings of owning your own biz.
