Back in high school and college I studied best in the very late hours of night. For years and years I lived a life of sleep deprivation, staying up as late as 4:00 AM. It was during those late night hours that I seemed to function best; with everyone else asleep, I could concentrate better.

I operated that way for so long that I thought it worked for me. And it did. I earned exceptional grades in school.

Motherhood did not change this. I continued that habit after our babies were born; while everyone slept, I could accomplish tasks uninterrupted and nap with the kids during the day. Then when I began writing again after having put it aside for 15 years, I could let the creative process flow without interruption.

There have been pros and cons to this change I’ve made. On the positive side, I no longer need to get back into bed after the kids leave for school. Also, I am actually pleasant in the mornings when I cook breakfast for my family since sleep deprivation is out of the equation. Another plus: awaking without late-night anything in my stomach helps me feel wonderful in the morning. Yet another plus: I have lost five pounds.

I guess the only con is that my creative processes seem to be stalled. This can’t be!

I feel too good physically to revert to my old habits, but I don’t know what to do. Writing is breathing for me. I must write, or I shall suffocate from stagnancy.