In the stillness of the night, a mother finds her sanctuary. Picture this: it’s almost midnight, and the house is enveloped in silence. The children are peacefully asleep, and even the family dog is sprawled out, dreaming away. Meanwhile, I find myself propped up in bed, my iPad resting on my lap, as my partner snoozes beside me. I’m just about to hit play on the latest episode of a beloved series.
Without a doubt, I feel the weight of exhaustion. After a day filled with multitasking—juggling work, parenting, and a myriad of responsibilities—my body is pleading for rest by 9 PM. If I were to lie down right now, sleep would claim me in an instant. Yet, the allure of “Me Time” often outweighs my need for sleep.
The tranquility of a quiet home is nothing short of blissful for me. At this hour, there are no demands from little hands, no cries echoing in the air, and no one is tugging at my hair or asking awkward questions. This is my time to decompress, reflect on the day, and indulge in a book, a show, or a long, hot shower. I cherish the solitude of being the only one awake, and it turns out, I’m not alone in this nightly ritual.
My fellow moms often share late-night texts, bonding over our shared struggle to wind down. While sometimes the mental load keeps us awake, more often than not, we choose to stay up, savoring the peace after a long day of caring for others. From working to volunteering, from driving kids around town to ensuring everyone’s needs are met, by night’s end, we are often touched out and talked out, ready to zone out in our own company.
So, what do we indulge in during these late-night hours? Here’s a peek into our nocturnal activities:
- Scrolling through social media feeds.
- Dreaming over Pinterest recipes we’ll never try.
- Browsing home décor sites for that perfect addition to our living spaces.
- Filling online shopping carts with luxurious items, but often leaving them abandoned.
- Making impulse purchases on Amazon Prime.
- Utilizing grocery delivery services like Instacart because who has the time?
- Ordering bulk items from Costco that we didn’t manage to get from Instacart.
- Catching up on family vlogs on YouTube.
- Watching oddly satisfying pimple-popping videos.
- Binge-watching multiple movies back-to-back.
- Devouring an entire season of a show on Netflix.
- Folding laundry while engrossed in a series.
- Listening to informative podcasts.
- Enjoying a long, uninterrupted shower.
- Pampering ourselves with face masks without interruptions.
- Relishing the absolute absence of touch.
- Losing ourselves in a favorite book or blog.
- Finally catching up on saved Facebook posts.
- Reading articles on clean eating.
- Contemplating the idea of going vegan.
- Ultimately deciding against it.
- Indulging in non-vegan treats like Girl Scout cookies.
- sneaking ice cream or snacks from our secret stash without sharing.
- Creating a dream list of vacation spots.
- Drafting tomorrow’s to-do list.
- Sifting through thousands of photos, reminiscing about how fast our children are growing.
- Thinking about intimacy, yet feeling relieved that it can wait since our partners are asleep.
- Writing in journals.
- Crocheting or crafting.
- Tackling crossword puzzles.
- Texting friends who are also awake, sharing snacks and binge-watching shows.
In essence, our late-night rituals resemble a pajama party for one. Forget the sleep recommendations urging us to clock 7 to 9 hours for optimal well-being; in this moment, being content in solitude takes precedence. Yes, I know I’ll feel the effects of my late-night antics come morning, but a strong cup of coffee or a generous Diet Coke will usually remedy that.
One day, when the children have flown the nest, perhaps I’ll master the art of going to bed earlier. Until then, I’ll remain a night owl, charcoal mask and all, ready to indulge in just one more episode.
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In summary, late nights for moms are often filled with self-care, digital distractions, and a well-deserved break from the chaos of the day. Embracing this time alone allows for personal reflection and rejuvenation, making the morning rush just a little more bearable.