January 07, 2026

Why I Finally Decided to Tackle My Insomnia

I used to tell myself that my sleepless nights were just a phase. Maybe it was stress at work, maybe it was too much caffeine, or maybe it was scrolling on my phone far too late. Whatever excuse I gave myself, I never really admitted that I was dealing with insomnia. The truth is, I thought I could handle it. I figured that as long as I could push through the next day, I was fine. But after weeks and then months of restless nights, I realized that insomnia wasn’t just about losing sleep. It was about losing myself.

When you go without proper rest, it changes everything. My energy levels dipped, and even simple tasks began to feel overwhelming. I noticed myself getting irritated over little things, snapping at people I love, and dragging myself through work with no spark. The lack of sleep wasn’t just making me tired, it was dulling my joy. I would sit down to watch a show or read a book, things I normally love, and I couldn’t focus. I felt like I was only half-present in my own life.

At first, I tried to brush it off with quick fixes. I stocked up on extra coffee, bought herbal teas, and even tried over-the-counter sleep aids. Some nights they worked, but most nights they didn’t. And even when I did sleep, I often woke up groggy and disconnected. It hit me one morning, as I struggled to remember what I had promised my friend the night before, that this wasn’t sustainable. My memory was slipping, my health was suffering, and my relationships were being tested.

I finally understood that addressing insomnia isn’t just about getting through the night, it’s about protecting your entire well-being. Sleep is the foundation for almost everything else. Without it, my immune system weakened, my moods swung wildly, and I started to lose motivation for things that once brought me joy. I realized I wasn’t just tired, I was burning out.

So I decided to make real changes. I set boundaries with myself: no screens an hour before bed, no late-night snacks heavy with sugar, and no more ignoring the signs my body was screaming at me. I created a wind-down routine that felt calming instead of forced. A warm shower, soft lighting, and sometimes writing in a journal helped signal to my mind that it was safe to rest. It wasn’t an overnight fix, but over time, I started noticing that my body trusted the rhythm I was creating.

Insomnia taught me something important. Ignoring problems doesn’t make them disappear, it only allows them to grow stronger. By facing my sleeplessness head-on, I learned to treat myself with more care. I had to remind myself that rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Addressing my insomnia has been about giving myself permission to pause, to breathe, and to take my health seriously.

If you find yourself in a similar place, constantly tired and telling yourself you can handle it, I promise you that you deserve better. Life looks so much brighter when you are well-rested, and you’ll be amazed at how much of yourself you get back when you finally make sleep a priority.