Embracing Imperfections and Still Sleeping Well

Thanksgiving—a day of comfort food, cherished company, and indulgence. While tradition often calls for the classic delights, this year, my household actually ventured into German-inspired recipes…just to change things up. As a sleep coach, one might expect guilt for deviating from sleep-friendly choices on this holiday. But here's the truth—I embrace these deviations and encourage my clients to embrace them as well. Life isn't about flawless routines but celebrating occasional indulgences, especially on days like Thanksgiving—a time for connection and celebrating abundance.

Amidst the culinary festivities, I found myself reflecting. This past year has  showcased the spectrum of life's bliss....and it's imperfections. All of it keeping me in learning mode and helping me to grow even more as a sleep coach.

In my youth, imperfection was my adversary, but now, having (mostly) freed myself from the chains of perfectionism, I've softened. Yesterday, Thanksgiving Day, I celebrated not just cherished moments but also my love for good food and wine.

Even now, having just woken up at this 3 AM hour due, no doubt, to my food and drink choices these past 12 hours, memories of late-night apple pie evoke a sense of contentment. I understand the impact on sleep, yet occasional indulgence adds color to life's routine and still, most every day of the year, I am sleeping well. 

Tomorrow—today—is a new start, back to nourishing choices. This indulgence is a reminder that amidst discipline, there's space for celebration and imperfection. These ebbs and flows often craft the most memorable stories of our lives, anyway.

So, as a fellow human and also as a sleep coach, I ask you to CUT YOURSELF A BREAK once in a while! I acknowledge the importance of routine in order to sleep better, yet I also advocate for balance and occasional indulgence. Trust that if you are pro-sleep in your lifestyle most other days of the year, sleep will remain your faithful companion.