I'd heard stories about people who work during the day.
These "day-walkers" get up at the crack of dawn, use alarm clocks and, heaven forbid, drink coffee.
As someone who has worked nights for the last seven years or so, these folks and their lives were a mystery to me.
That is, until I became one of them.
(Because I can't go out to cover things like fires, homicides and the like, I'm on desk/web duty until my doctor clears me to go back to my regular work.)
There's something unnatural about being up and out of your house before the sun rises (unless you're going to the airport).
I mean, it's still dark, so my body thinks it's time to sleep, and doesn't want to budge when it comes time for me to get up to get ready for my 7 a.m. shift.
Yes, dear readers, I said 7 a.m.
That's when I have to be at work. That's not when I'm creeping back into the house after a night out (not in this blog post, at least).
Anywho, I force myself out of bed at 5:30 a.m. to shower. My ankle is always stiff, and does it's best to remind me it's still recovering from its break in January.
My cats are determined that I'm crazy, because they've never seen me up and trying to function before 10 a.m. before.
I'm sure it's amusing for them, watching me stumble through the house, searching for breakfast, clothes and the boot for my ankle.
That is, until I step on one of them, because I'm half-asleep, during my morning travels.
I usually curse them, curse mornings and hope to all the powers that are holy that this ankle heals fast.
Apparently, I'm doing a good job in this new, strange world.
My bosses actually think I'm awake when they talk to me before 11 a.m.
Silly bosses.
My co-workers, too, seem to believe that I'm up for deep conversation before noon.
It's kind of scary how these day-walkers have adjusted to this abomination called mornings.
I'm very afraid, but I will prevail.
Mornings will not kill me.
I hope.
News: It does get better but how long it takes is dependent upon how long you worked night previously - that's a long time for you. Also, you have been out of the work loop with your injury - not good.
But there's better news: When you do go back to nights, it will take a lot less time to adjust to that. You being the night owl!! :) I feel your pain -I did it more than a year ago with a time difference...Hang in there!
Hey, at least it's a temporary thing for you. I have to be at work at 5:30 A.M. every morning until I die, or retire(whichever comes first), so just be glad this will pass and soon--- NO MORE MORNINGS!
Just remember to take it small steps at a time 10 pounds a month. It is better to go ahead and focus for a few month than go back and forth.
I hear you. Now that I am in grad school I don't get up until after 9am or so and stay awake unitl after midnight doing work. It will suck to have to go back to that strange land. Here's to the afternooners