Living alone

Shawnee123 · 06-25-2007, 09:21 AM

There are so many great things about living alone. There are also crappy things ( and I know it goes both ways for living with others, as well.) Here is the newest crappy thing I have discovered:

I have always had fitful dreams. Sometimes, I have dreams that are so freaking cool I'm bummed when I wake up that it wasn't true (like the time I was on a space ship, seemed so real.) Often, though, the dreams are not so pretty.

I woke myself up yelling/groaning at least twice last night that I remember. After I wake up, I catch my breath and go get a drink of water, but I remember when I was with someone. There was something comforting about waking up in that state and having someone ask if you were OK.

If you have a nightmare alone at night and scream, and no one is there to hear, do you make a sound? :p

Anyone else get the night terrors? I was watching a Lunesta commerical last night and I had to laugh. Apparently, Lunesta makes everyone fall asleep on their back, with their head tilted to their left at a 45 degree angle, and they never move or turn over all night. They wake up to a sunshiney day just smiling their heads off. Perhaps I should try that? Kind of a Stepford Sleeper?

Uisge Beatha · 06-25-2007, 10:21 AM

I'm truly sorry your dreams can be so troubling. It makes me feel silly about the 'problem' I thought I had when I became single again a few years ago.

While I had always had my share of dreams (rarley being very troubling ones), I was worried to realize that for many months I was unable to recall having dreamed at all. It took a few months of coming to grips with being alone again to sleep normally.

In retrospect, it wasn't anything so serious; in comparison to your situation it was a cakewalk. I would like to wish you many, many lovely dreams in the coming months. Sleep well, sweet Shawnee.

DanaC · 06-25-2007, 10:25 AM

I sometimes wake from dreams and am left disturbed. Not as often as I used to. I find I am worse if I don't have my dog in the house (e.g if I've been out from early til late and left him at mum's house for the night).

Shawnee123 · 06-25-2007, 10:27 AM

You're very sweet, Uisge. It's not really horrible, I just wonder if my quality of sleep is lacking, which could explain why it's so easy for me to sleep away a weekend afternoon, and why I'm tired so much (of course, this lets my crappy ass stressful job off the hook and I'm not sure I want to go there.) :p

Maybe it's just normal?

Cloud · 06-25-2007, 10:28 AM

don't know about those Lunesta commercials. Why would I want bugs flying around me in my sleep?

I live alone and LOVE IT. But I very rarely get nightmares.

Uisge Beatha · 06-25-2007, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

You're very sweet, Uisge.

Shucks, ma'am, you just bring out the best in some of us.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

I just wonder if my quality of sleep is lacking, which could explain why it's so easy for me to sleep away a weekend afternoon, and why I'm tired so much

Maybe it's just normal?

It certainly is normal to have bad dreams when under stress, and I do believe you will feel tired if it happens with any frequency. Anyhow, what is 'normal'? -- you're better than just normal. Maybe it would help to think about that before going to sleep, and to heck with Lunesta.

Shawnee123 · 06-25-2007, 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uisge Beatha

Shucks, ma'am, you just bring out the best in some of us.

And the worst in many others.

I don't know who you are or where you came from or where I should send the checks, but I thank you for being so kind.

Uisge Beatha · 06-25-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

I don't know who you are or where you came from or where I should send the checks, but I thank you for being so kind.

No thanks are necessary -- you just seem like a terrific person.

But, if you really feel the need to send money.........naw, just kiddin'.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-25-2007, 06:07 PM

Don't overlook the advantages of living alone, of which there are many.

bluecuracao · 06-25-2007, 06:16 PM

The disadvantage of NOT living alone is, when you wake up yelling/screaming, you scare the living crap out of the other person!

xoxoxoBruce · 06-25-2007, 10:49 PM

And they want an explanation like right now, when you may not even know yourself, yet.

Rexmons · 06-26-2007, 08:20 AM

does anyone else ever get "stuck" between being awake and asleep. it's like your body is sleeping but your brain is awake and you cant really move or make a sound?

Cicero · 06-26-2007, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee123

There are so many great things about living alone. There are also crappy things ( and I know it goes both ways for living with others, as well.) Here is the newest crappy thing I have discovered:

I have always had fitful dreams. Sometimes, I have dreams that are so freaking cool I'm bummed when I wake up that it wasn't true (like the time I was on a space ship, seemed so real.) Often, though, the dreams are not so pretty.

I woke myself up yelling/groaning at least twice last night that I remember. After I wake up, I catch my breath and go get a drink of water, but I remember when I was with someone. There was something comforting about waking up in that state and having someone ask if you were OK.

If you have a nightmare alone at night and scream, and no one is there to hear, do you make a sound? :p

Anyone else get the night terrors? I was watching a Lunesta commerical last night and I had to laugh. Apparently, Lunesta makes everyone fall asleep on their back, with their head tilted to their left at a 45 degree angle, and they never move or turn over all night. They wake up to a sunshiney day just smiling their heads off. Perhaps I should try that? Kind of a Stepford Sleeper?

When I was single I had terrible nightmares almost on a nightly basis. I wouldn't suggest trying to manage that alone. I hired a therapist that specialized in Jungian psychology to outline the dreams I was having, and she patiently went through the worst with me. I would suggest getting the help of a professional and starting a dream diary. She concluded that the magnitude and regularity of my nightmares are actually a sign of a "gifted" person. Intellectually I got this but I didn't feel gifted at all. I should have kept up with these sessions because it simply just got worse and I ended up sleep-walking and scaring the heck out of someone I was dating. (I went to his fridge in my sleep started eating his raw pork) Uuuuugh.....Despite telling him before-hand of this condition he got terrified of me. I asked him to just wake me up, and no matter how mobile and awake I seem, I am probably asleep. Don't be like ME! That wasn't the only instance of me being completely mobile and sleeping either. It only gets worse if you don't have a guide. (therapy) Strangely enough this doesn't happen to me anymore. I don't know if settling down with my husband and not being alone anymore contributed to the cessation of these horrible dreams and sleep escapades or not. I really think changing my environment (moving) made all the difference. Living in the country in a very peaceful environment seemed to work I guess? I went from very urban to very rural quite quickly and I think it might have been some urban stress disorder spin-off. I don't know. But seeing someone for this helps.

It can get really ugly if you continue not to address it. Believe me. OR....maybe I can keep telling you more terrible stories until you give someone a call. You know as well as I do how disruptive to your daily life this can be. You start to think you're crazy and you're not. SEE someone!

Cloud · 06-26-2007, 10:55 AM

Ack! Your story sounds awful, Cicero!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cicero

She concluded that the magnitude and regularity of my nightmares are actually a sign of a "gifted" person.

I may have a nightmare once every 2-3 YEARS. Soo obviously not gifted! That's okay!

Shawnee123 · 06-26-2007, 11:29 AM

Last night there were no terrors (i.e. no waking up yelling) but I tossed and turned and was in that between awake and not awake stage most of the night. I have a vague recollection that it had something to do with balancing accounts, and that is was stressful though not scary, but as I was dreaming it I was also thinking that I had dreamed that before. Weird.

Thanks Cicero. I don't sleepwalk, and I don't feel it's enough of an issue (yet) to seek help, but I do appreciate you pointing out that I'm gifted.

Seriously, I never thought of it as a huge deal but as you pointed out I probably should be aware of potential problems.

Cloud, don't undergift yourself!

06-25-2007, 09:21 AM	#1
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Living alone There are so many great things about living alone. There are also crappy things ( and I know it goes both ways for living with others, as well.) Here is the newest crappy thing I have discovered: I have always had fitful dreams. Sometimes, I have dreams that are so freaking cool I'm bummed when I wake up that it wasn't true (like the time I was on a space ship, seemed so real.) Often, though, the dreams are not so pretty. I woke myself up yelling/groaning at least twice last night that I remember. After I wake up, I catch my breath and go get a drink of water, but I remember when I was with someone. There was something comforting about waking up in that state and having someone ask if you were OK. If you have a nightmare alone at night and scream, and no one is there to hear, do you make a sound? :p Anyone else get the night terrors? I was watching a Lunesta commerical last night and I had to laugh. Apparently, Lunesta makes everyone fall asleep on their back, with their head tilted to their left at a 45 degree angle, and they never move or turn over all night. They wake up to a sunshiney day just smiling their heads off. Perhaps I should try that? Kind of a Stepford Sleeper? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

06-25-2007, 10:27 AM	#4
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	You're very sweet, Uisge. It's not really horrible, I just wonder if my quality of sleep is lacking, which could explain why it's so easy for me to sleep away a weekend afternoon, and why I'm tired so much (of course, this lets my crappy ass stressful job off the hook and I'm not sure I want to go there.) :p Maybe it's just normal? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

06-25-2007, 10:28 AM	#5
Cloud ... Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 8,360	don't know about those Lunesta commercials. Why would I want bugs flying around me in my sleep? I live alone and LOVE IT. But I very rarely get nightmares. __________________ "Guard your honor. Let your reputation fall where it will. And outlive the bastards!"

06-25-2007, 06:07 PM	#9
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Don't overlook the advantages of living alone, of which there are many. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-25-2007, 10:49 PM	#11
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	And they want an explanation like right now, when you may not even know yourself, yet. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

06-25-2007, 10:21 AM	#2
Uisge Beatha Lecturer Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 945	I'm truly sorry your dreams can be so troubling. It makes me feel silly about the 'problem' I thought I had when I became single again a few years ago. While I had always had my share of dreams (rarley being very troubling ones), I was worried to realize that for many months I was unable to recall having dreamed at all. It took a few months of coming to grips with being alone again to sleep normally. In retrospect, it wasn't anything so serious; in comparison to your situation it was a cakewalk. I would like to wish you many, many lovely dreams in the coming months. Sleep well, sweet Shawnee.

06-25-2007, 10:25 AM	#3
DanaC We have to go back, Kate! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Yorkshire Posts: 25,964	I sometimes wake from dreams and am left disturbed. Not as often as I used to. I find I am worse if I don't have my dog in the house (e.g if I've been out from early til late and left him at mum's house for the night).

06-25-2007, 06:16 PM	#10
bluecuracao in a mood, not cupcake Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Philadelphia Posts: 3,034	The disadvantage of NOT living alone is, when you wake up yelling/screaming, you scare the living crap out of the other person!

06-26-2007, 08:20 AM	#12
Rexmons - Kavkaz United - Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 613	does anyone else ever get "stuck" between being awake and asleep. it's like your body is sleeping but your brain is awake and you cant really move or make a sound? __________________ "Life's a bitch but God forbid the bitch divorce me..."

06-26-2007, 11:29 AM	#15
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Last night there were no terrors (i.e. no waking up yelling) but I tossed and turned and was in that between awake and not awake stage most of the night. I have a vague recollection that it had something to do with balancing accounts, and that is was stressful though not scary, but as I was dreaming it I was also thinking that I had dreamed that before. Weird. Thanks Cicero. I don't sleepwalk, and I don't feel it's enough of an issue (yet) to seek help, but I do appreciate you pointing out that I'm gifted. Seriously, I never thought of it as a huge deal but as you pointed out I probably should be aware of potential problems. Cloud, don't undergift yourself! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

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