Two Weeks Into Becoming A Professional Sleeper: Confession
“Sleep First. Then Vitality Happens.” – so they say…
When I (Dave) signed up for the Sleep First Challenge, I thought picking a bedtime would be easy. Spoiler alert: I nearly had an existential crisis trying to commit to a specific bedtime. It was like choosing what to watch on Netflix, but the show would run for 30 days straight.
The Great Bedtime Decision of 2025
After what felt like more mental gymnastics than choosing a career path, I finally committed to 10 PM. Yes, you read that right – 10 PM. A full hour earlier than my previous “eh, whenever” approach that had slowly crept from 10:30 to 11:00 PM (because apparently, time is just a social construct when you’re scrolling through Instagram).
The Basic Challenge: Level 1
The foundation was simple: pick a bedtime and stick to it for 30 days. That’s it. No complicated sleep hygiene rules, no strict morning routines – just be in bed at your chosen time. The goal? Hit that target 26 out of 30 days (85% success rate). Basically, you can mess up 4 times without losing your “Professional Sleeper in Training” badge.
The Numbers Don’t Lie (Even Though I Tried to Negotiate with Them)
Before the challenge, my sleep scores were like my high school grades – mostly in the 50s and 60s with occasional 70s when I really tried. Now? 70s are my new normal, with some glorious 80s sprinkled in like gold stars. The 90s are my next target because apparently, I’ve become the kind of person who gets competitive about unconsciousness.
My Evening Routine (Or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bed)
While not required for Level 1, I went full sleep nerd:
- Hair, face, teeth routine (because basic hygiene still matters)
- Vagus nerve stimulator set to “sleep” (yes, I’m that fancy now)
- Muse meditation to listen to my heart, body, or brain (like a bedtime story, but it’s just me)
The One Day I Messed Up
Let’s talk about my one rebel day – scoring a measly 54 when I missed my bedtime and woke up early. But here’s the plot twist: the world didn’t end! I bounced back to the 70s faster than you can say “circadian rhythm.” Turns out, sleep is like fitness – one bad day doesn’t undo all your progress. Who knew?
What I’ve Learned (Besides the Fact That I’m Now a Sleep Geek)
- Sleep is literally like fitness – it gets stronger over time (minus the protein shakes)
- Caffeine and I are now in a long-distance relationship (and surprisingly, I’m okay with that)
- My bed has become a sleep-only zone (goodbye, midnight snacking Netflix sessions)
- One bad night doesn’t derail the whole journey (unlike my previous all-or-nothing approach)
Looking Ahead
As I continue this journey from sleep amateur to sleep pro, I’m actually excited about the next levels.
Who am I? I don’t even recognize this well-rested person anymore.
Stay tuned for my Level 1 recap, where I’ll share whether I’ve achieved sleep enlightenment or just mastered the art of professional napping. Until then, you can find me counting sheep like a boss at 10 PM sharp.
P.S. If you’re wondering whether becoming a sleep enthusiast is worth it, let me tell you – my dark circles have gone from “raccoon chic” to “maybe born with it” in just two weeks. Just saying.
P.P.S. Look who’s feeling alive at 55!!
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