I attended a really interesting sleep conference, organised by The Sleep Charity (thank you Lisa Artis) last the weekend which gave me plenty of food for thought on the sleep front. But while sitting on the train on the way back, my mind started to consider a conversation I had with one of the other attendees. We had started discussing our sleep work but the conversation moved on to how we describe ourselves to others – whether that be to potential clients, or in day to day interactions. Whether it’s “introvert,” “extrovert,” or “perfectionist,” we have our own unique labels that shape how we see ourselves and how others perceive us. But here’s the thing about these labels: while they can give us a sense of who we are, they can also make us feel like we’re stuck in a box, unable to break out and show our true selves. It’s like trying to fit into a pair of jeans that are a size too small—they might look okay on the outside, but inside, we’re squished and uncomfortable. Reflecting on the labels I’ve carried since childhood, I recognise moments where I’ve tightly held onto them, followed by determined efforts to shed them (I’m sure that was around my teenage years). And as an adult, I have different labels – a cancer survivor, a wife, a mum, a business owner. We all carry our labels but I think the question we need to ask ourselves is whether we allow them to define us. Now, let’s consider sleep labels. From “I’m an insomniac” to “light sleeper,” to “night owl” or “morning person,” there seems to be a label for every sleep style out there. But just like with self-identity labels, these sleep labels can sometimes feel confining, and so often, we cling to them as though they are an unchangeable aspect of our identity. What’s more, we often hold onto these labels as excuses, using them to justify our circumstances or avoid taking action and make any changes. For instance, someone might say, “I’m just not a gym type person” or “I’ve been an insomniac for years, I’ve tried everything and nothing’s worked so I just need to live with it’ But it’s so important to recognise that these labels shouldn’t define our limitations. They shouldn’t serve as an excuse to remain in an unacceptable situation or stop us from making positive changes. So let’s remember that whether it’s our self identity or sleep styles specifically, we are not defined by the labels but rather by our actions and choices and maybe it’s time for you to rewrite your narrative. Let me know what labels you carry and are you ready to let them go?
Rewrite Your Narrative
