The gist: When you have ADHD, sleep problems can be numerous. Even though revenge bedtime procrastination is a viral theory, don't be so quick to assume that's what it is.
Is it really revenge bedtime procrastination, or are you just on the wrong sleep schedule for your body? 🤔
Revenge bedtime procrastination has gone viral, and don't get me wrong: I get it.
As a phrase, it's just fun!
And as a concept, it's relatable.
I know many people actually do it.
But not everyone who goes to bed "too late" is guilty of revenge bedtime procrastination.
The reason Work Brighter exists is because of how much the world, especially the working world, is only set up for one type of body and brain instead of reflecting real people.
And this is particularly true in society's attitudes around sleep.
So before you write off your sleep hygiene with a joke about revenge bedtime procrastination, consider the alternatives.
Consider Your Chronotype
The fact that society is built around early birds as a default, when only about a third of the population falls into that chronotype, surely has a lot to do with things.
For another third of people, nighttime is when they feel the most energy, creativity, and productivity.
But despite that, we're taught that it's morally superior to wake up early, love mornings, and thrive on as little sleep as possible.
Remember that in reality, like I said before, only a third of people actually operate best in the morning. The rest of us should probably be on a different schedule than what we consider "normal."
Energy management helps us figure out what that schedule should be, but responsibilities in our lives like jobs and school prevent us from living it.
Banish energy hangovers with energy management
Tracking and managing your energy can straight-up change your life, without having to change much at all (no ridiculous productivity hacks needed!)
By better understanding your natural energy, peak hours, and existing habits, you can take advantage of it all to unlock new levels of productivity.
Get started today with my free energy management tracker!
Consider Other Sleep Problems
Personally, not only am I a night owl, I also deal with delayed sleep phase syndrome.
That's the name given to a cluster of experiences neurodivergent folks frequently experience related to sleep. Things like having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, and sleeping deeply…no matter how hard we work on our sleep habits (and I do try!).
I spent years trying to change my sleep habits.
Forcing myself to wake up early, only to fall back asleep at the dining table. Making myself get in bed early, only to lie awake for 5+ hours (my personal record) before actually falling asleep.
Nothing ever helped me sleep at more "normal" hours, but I sure spent a lot of time, energy, and money (on "sleep better" products) trying.
And if you're a regular follower of Work Brighter, you know how I feel about wasting energy.
Consider Your Mental Health
All the years I spent trying to force my body into the schedule society wanted for me took a toll on my mental health.
Trying over and over again to change something, only to fail every time, made me resent my body and brain, as so many forms of internalized ableism do.
Eventually, it felt like torturing myself.
Like going through all the recommendations on every "7 tips for sleep hygiene" articles when I knew they wouldn't work was the REAL act of revenge.
At some point, I decided the best way to deal with it is to roll with it as much as I could.
Instead of trying to go to bed earlier than my body wanted, I let myself stay up late and took after-work naps instead. I found the sleep patterns that worked as well as possible with my work schedule at the time, and made what changes I could to that work schedule.
It's not possible for most of us to completely control our schedule and let it completely accommodate our energy, but it is possible to find something better than the torture and shame most of us put ourselves through.
Rejecting "Revenge" Assumptions
So if you're not falling asleep at night, it's not necessarily your body seeking "revenge."
It might be it crying for help or a change in routine.
Or just a little self-compassion.
Regardless, shaming yourself for revenge bedtime procrastination on social media, while doing nothing else, won't help.
And if you liked this post, you'll also love:
Banish energy hangovers with energy management
Tracking and managing your energy can straight-up change your life, without having to change much at all (no ridiculous productivity hacks needed!)
By better understanding your natural energy, peak hours, and existing habits, you can take advantage of it all to unlock new levels of productivity.
Get started today with my free energy management tracker!