Day work from night work routine-can someone help me with a really stupid problem please?

[winteryblues]

I used to work from 8pm to 7 am. On work days I used to get up around 3pm, have a leisurely coffee, get some jobs done, check emails etc and then I'd go for a run, then I'd get other jobs done, go to shops, visit my Mum and things such as before starting work at 8pm.

I now start at 0900 (usually from home, 1 or two days in office on average).

For SOME reason, the thought of having this routine but 'upside down' isn't working for me. When I wake in the morning I just want to sleep in as late as possible and start work as my first task of the day. I cannot face going out or going for a run-it feels too early. And the thought makes me anxious, If at home I will get up 30 mins before and get my bearings before starting work-WHY is it any different? Why can't I face doing things 'as soon as I get up' like I used to be able to on nights?

I've had day work before and was exactly the same-but those weren't from home ever and involved a commute.

This isn't fair on my dog either, I'd like to still be able to run with the dog but I just feel I cannot face it of a morning even though it shouldn't be any different, just the other way around!

I've no children to consider.

Any idea how I can sort this out for myself? Anyone experienced similar?

Probably you coped okay with working a night shift and doing everything beforehand because you are a “night owl” and that’s just the way your body works. So I’m a night owl myself and my DH is a morning person both start work at the same time I’m under the duvet til the last possible minute, he’s up raring to go about 2 hrs before he needs to ( he’s quiet so as not to wake me) he goes to bed way before me I could stay up all night if I didn’t have work the next day. We don’t have a dog though. When our kids were young I trained myself to be able to get up and go early in the morning for a few years but I never got used to it and reverted back to my natural “ night owl” state when they got older.

That is quite possibly it. I remember someone telling me that from 'early man' days there'd alawys be one member of the 'tribe' who'd stay up all night watching out for rival tribes or predators who would then sleep during the day while others would go about their business and we'd joke that some of us were descendents from that person (me!). Likely a load of rubbish, I know but maybe that is just who I am. I guess I'll have to just cope, or find another way aorund it. Won't be so bad in the summer months where I can run/get things done after work but when I finish currently, It's pitch black! And I would like to be free to do other things after work anyway rather than that.

Also with nights, sometimes I'd stay up and run after work (regardless of whether I'd done it beforehand) but mostly I'd happily go straight to bed. It's rare a day worker will go straight to bed isn't it?

Maybe if I did that I may be waking up at something like 04:00 and have time to get stuff done but it'd still be too dark to go outside minefield I didn't think of is this

Just listen to your body. Short walk with the dog and a coffee in a thermal cup at 8am, then after work go for a run with the dog.

Agree totally with @Nothinglikethebest
I’m a night owl and just do not function the same way in a day shift as I do in a night shift. Also, I can easily sleep during day light - but at night, no way, it’s like I need to be awake to keep the ‘things that go bump’ away!
I believe it’s an evolutionary thing, in that cave men etc needed night watchmen to see over the safety of the village from marauding dinosaurs etc etc.

That's more or less what I just said isn't it-I sleep much better during the day too. Feel safer!

Takes all sorts I guess. I really wanted a certain type job however and not possible during the night!

There are a lot of jobs that work as night shift. But I’ve found that if you are happier in a certain routine, then there’s no point in fighting it, as it just makes me unhappy/uneasy/squashed peg in a square hole type feeling. Generally unwell and at always fighting the system feel. Life is just too short for that, if you can do something about it. Training myself to sleep/work like the majority of people doesn’t work for me.
There are also a lot of perks at working nights/odd shift patterns. Basically do what works for you and your natural rhythm if you can.

I resonate with this. What is it you do (if not too outing). I am a certain type of Professional MH worker, and I used to work for a helpline overnight.

But I wanted to be a tutor of it! Yes, day only. I will return to night work at some point I am sure. I do feel 'square peg' as you've said, definitely.
I keep focusing on the positives, there are some for me-I mean it is rather depressing it being dark when one goes to bed and when one gets up.

I am in facilities management with a large hotel chain. It suits what I need from work (other than £).
For tutoring have you tried overseas working remotely at nights. I have a university professor friend who works nights due to time differences, in the uk, online tutoring for an overseas university. (Somewhere in east Asia I think).

@Alphabet1spaghetti2 thank you, I'd never thought of that. I may look into that once I've done this job for a while :)