Yeah. shocking transition to this title huh? So too is the Night Shift shocking, however boy was it unexpectedly filled with insights and ahas to such a degree that it was definately worth it. And…it confirmed that it was all in right order. So, what the heck am I talking about?
Well, last week, the final week of a consulting project that I have been working on full-time since October included 3 overnight shifts. It is less important what the project was, then the insights. However, to provide some context, it was at a hospital who was going live on electronic medical record and needed on-site support to hold hands for providers, nurses and pharmacists as they were implementing the new system, a skill set I learned many years ago as part of larger skill set that also included needs assessment, developing and delivering a variety of training for healthcare organizations. In any case, my shift was 11 pm – 7 am, and I am neither a late night person nor a morning person, and having learned the delicate balance my body requires, it does not respond well to big shocks, nor did it.
So…to begin at the beginning of the week, I was both trusting and apprehensive, and like we do when we just have to do what we have to do, I showed up and just did what I had to do. I made my way through Day 1 and Day 2 and just as I was starting to get the hang of living at night, was told they didn’t need me so resumed getting my body back to daytime rhythms. And, after a day was then told they did need me for Day 8. So suffice it to say, last week and even yet some this week, I was living between worlds of night/day.
The actual experience of it was physically very challenging for me, both during the shift itself, sleeping during the day, and waking up at 3 pm off kilter about whether to eat breakfast or go back to bed. But….I surrendered into it. Since I knew I had another night shift at the end of the week, I stayed up as long as I could at night so I would sleep longer during the day to create an easier experience on Day 8. So, I lowered my expectations of what needed to be done, I just followed my inner rhythms and found contentment in the simplicity and the generous income.
So, what about this aha I’m talking about. Well, a day or so ago after I’d made my way through the week, it occurred to me very loudly 1) I now had a reason to find gratitude in something I took for granted before, sleeping at night and living during the day 2) In order to make real change in our lives, sometimes it is necessary to do the exact opposite of what we normally do and in so doing, we have a new vantage point and proof to ourselves that we can do it. 3) A woman once shared with me one of her spiritual practices which included getting up in the middle of the night and carrying bricks back and forth, which completely puzzled me and I never really understood until last week. Something in the completely stepping out of your normal routine / thoughts / etc…. serves to SHIFT a new perspective beyond ourselves that is worth the doing of that uncomfortable thing.
Am I settling back into day being day and night being night. Absolutely. Do I love it. Yes. Did I love it before? Not in the same way I do now having tasted the contrast of it. Do I suggest you do the same? It may not be necessary or feasible to work all night, but what “opposite” of how you normally do things, could you try for a day and see what insights you find? As I figure this blog thing out and start to build some dialogue, I’d authentically love to hear from you. Until the next time. Be well.
