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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU to sleep from 3am to 12 midday?

115 replies

Scarscar · 27/11/2019 14:47

My natural sleep pattern falls from 3am to 12 midday and it's been this way for 25 years since I was a teen.
I've done all the things over the years to try and change it light box, various sleeping tablets, no screens, orange sleep glasses, not eating/drinking late, aromatherapy oils, hypnotherapy, meditation etc.
I'd like to sleep normal hours but I can't seem to find a way to change. I am at a point where I feel like just saying enough of trying to change it and just accept that those are my sleeping hours and I shall work my life around what my body seems to need. AIBU?

OP posts:
Josette77 · 27/11/2019 16:18

9pm

chuck7 · 27/11/2019 16:20

Huh well if I had no responsibilities in life I'd easily fall into a pattern of sleeping after midnight until late the next day but I have a job, bills to pay and kids to sort so....

If you can do all the stuff you need to without being an inconvenience to others then crack on

Original poster
Scarscar · 27/11/2019 16:21

I live alone so it doesn't effect anyone else and I work best during the evening. I'm self employed so I can fit work in with no problems.

Ive tried light treatment and melatonin, exercise etc, really tried it all to change but I just end up relapsing back again.

I guess I just wish it was more acceptable. It's seems weird to me to be fighting my body all the time.

OP posts:
JacobReesClunge · 27/11/2019 16:25

I used to be like this as a teen!

If it's not impacting anyone else negatively and it works for you then crack on. When you're self-employed and you live alone you have the luxury of tailoring your life to suit, so why not?

Cruddles · 27/11/2019 16:28

I worked night hours for 6 years and my bedtime was 3am. I loved it

Original poster
Scarscar · 27/11/2019 16:29

Maybe I should move to a more suitable time zone!

Good to read that I'm not the only one. I guess if feel like there is a stigma of still living like a teenager, or a lazy person, when really I'm doing as much as everyone else just at a slightly different time.

OP posts:
HavelockVetinari · 27/11/2019 16:30

Since you don't have kids and your employment works around those hours then go for it! It'd be different if you were opting out of family life or similar, but since you can please yourself then do it.

BettySwollocksandaCrustyRack · 27/11/2019 16:30

I guess it depends on whether you want to stay living alone or whether you are happy as you are. My boyfriend has a sleep pattern like that, to be honest it will probably finish us as I could never live with him as it would drive me mad.

blackteasplease · 27/11/2019 16:31

I just read about that delayed sleep disorder. It’s exacrly me! Like a lightbulb.

I feel so much better if I can sleep those sort of hours. And yes it is exactly like living with jet lag!

user764329056 · 27/11/2019 16:33

Another night owl here, I work from home and sleep around 3am to 9am, am so much happier than forcing myself into the 9 to 5 which I did for years, feel I work/sleep with my natural rhythms now, do what’s right for you OP

CAG12 · 27/11/2019 16:42

Why would be unreasonable to do this? Its your life, do what you want

Original poster
Scarscar · 27/11/2019 16:49

Because it feels like I'm out of sync with everyone else, I guess.

OP posts:
Original poster
Scarscar · 27/11/2019 16:52

Just read the delayed sleep phase page on the sleep association website. That's definitely it.

Time I think then just to go with the flow and accept it.

OP posts:
JacobReesClunge · 27/11/2019 16:57

Are there likely to be people who both need to know and will have a particularly strong opinion on your waking hours? Or are you just speaking hypothetically?

NeedAnExpert · 27/11/2019 16:58

This is my ideal arrangement. But I work a 9-5 now so spend every week day in a jet lag-type state. 😭

SavageBeauty73 · 27/11/2019 16:59

If you can work and live why not? Far worse to have terrible sleep (fellow insomniac)

Original poster
Scarscar · 27/11/2019 17:12

When I say 'everyone else' I mean the rest of society.
I spent years doing shifts and on earlies I used to walk around like a zombie! And I never stayed long in any 9-5 job because it was so hard to keep those hours. It was definitely like permanent jet lag.
The best sleep I have is between 8 and 11am, I can sleep through anything then.

OP posts:
JacobReesClunge · 27/11/2019 17:31

Well there are presumably lots of people on a societal level who'll think you're an idle slug a bed, but if they're in no position of influence in your life why would you give a fuck? There are people who think the earth is flat but we all just crack on.

Gertruude · 27/11/2019 17:42

I was the same until I had kids. Now it's their sleep pattern that we work to and I'm plenty tired enough to get an early night

NeedAnExpert · 27/11/2019 17:49

My DD was born with my pattern. From 6 months to 3 years she slept midnight till noon.

OhioOhioOhio · 27/11/2019 17:50

Does, Simon Cowell not do that?

Drabarni · 27/11/2019 17:55

Not doable with kids though.

Never stopped me Grin

AloeVeraLynn · 27/11/2019 18:01

Never stopped me
🤷‍♀️ good for you. Still isn't a healthy schedule for children.

Drabarni · 27/11/2019 18:06

It depends on what the child is doing surely? Mine is often up until the wee small hours travelling or working.
Manages to get back to getting up at 6.30am at school.

When at state school, there were others to get kids to school.
There could be a sahd, or dad able to take kids to school.

It's not impossible to keep those hours just because you have kids.

NeedAnExpert · 27/11/2019 18:07

Still isn't a healthy schedule for children.

Says who? Evidence, please.