I just wanted to leave a comment to say I appreciate how this sponsored post was structured. The content is independent of the sponsorship and stands on its own as something interesting that I would have wanted to read, regardless of the financial mechanism behind it (ie a paywall or sponsorship). It is obvious that the work is all you and you weren’t paid to artificially cram the product into the analysis of the research. The mentions of the product are thoughtful but brief. Thank you!
There have been a lot of sleep-related posts and articles in my feed lately (maybe it’s a January thing!) and all the mention of sleep interrupted by children got me recalling the wonderful Samuel L. Jackson’s dreamy rendition of “Go the F*ck to Sleep.” In many cases, it applies to us all…
I usually don't comment, but I had to mention a similar experience: I once referred to a gender theorist's work as "seminal" in my dissertation, and my chair underlined the word and wrote "lol." Extra funny coming from him, since he usually wrote a full page's worth of text in every comment. I can't use the word anymore without thinking of it.
I wanted to echo Meghan Solveig's comment, as well. I like this approach to sponsored content, where the newsletter is normal and there is separate, clearly-identifiable material relating to the sponsor. I actually clicked on the link and looked into the product as a result, which I almost never do. I've been leery in the past of sponsored content, but this feels like you aren't betraying the trust of your readers, and I appreciate it.
This is a topic that fascinates because I spent many years living in a developing country and the idea of "time to yourself" is more or less completely non-existent there. Yet Western parents see it as something required for human survival.
Where I used to live many families live in (especially by American standards) very small living spaces. Two rooms, one for sleeping (everyone in one room) and one for everything else (cooking, watching TV) is still reasonably common, though it is changing as the country gets richer and a middle class emerges.
I remember talking to one friend who said that when he visits his fiance's family they all sleep in the same (only) bedroom. Imagine an American sleeping in the same room as their future in-laws!
Yet at some point in the past 30-50 years we all (and I mostly include myself!) arrived at this notion that we need hours a day to ourselves for our "mental health" or to "decompress". And we mostly achieve that by staying up way too late and then being exhausted the next day.
And it is even harder because it is one of those things you need "two yeses" to really implement in a relationship. It is hard (though not impossible) to go to bed at 9:30 when your partner insists on watching Netflix or gaming or whatever until 11pm every night.
I loved this topic and related so much. My 10 year old daughter is also a bedtime procrastinator. No tech interference in her case, but some of the stuff you spoke about is definitely relevant.
Ps, I'm glad you have some sponsorship. I love your work and, and you deserve to be paid for it.
I just wanted to leave a comment to say I appreciate how this sponsored post was structured. The content is independent of the sponsorship and stands on its own as something interesting that I would have wanted to read, regardless of the financial mechanism behind it (ie a paywall or sponsorship). It is obvious that the work is all you and you weren’t paid to artificially cram the product into the analysis of the research. The mentions of the product are thoughtful but brief. Thank you!
Thank you so much, Meghan! I really appreciate the feedback :)
There have been a lot of sleep-related posts and articles in my feed lately (maybe it’s a January thing!) and all the mention of sleep interrupted by children got me recalling the wonderful Samuel L. Jackson’s dreamy rendition of “Go the F*ck to Sleep.” In many cases, it applies to us all…
Ha!! Definitely applies to all of us!
I usually don't comment, but I had to mention a similar experience: I once referred to a gender theorist's work as "seminal" in my dissertation, and my chair underlined the word and wrote "lol." Extra funny coming from him, since he usually wrote a full page's worth of text in every comment. I can't use the word anymore without thinking of it.
I wanted to echo Meghan Solveig's comment, as well. I like this approach to sponsored content, where the newsletter is normal and there is separate, clearly-identifiable material relating to the sponsor. I actually clicked on the link and looked into the product as a result, which I almost never do. I've been leery in the past of sponsored content, but this feels like you aren't betraying the trust of your readers, and I appreciate it.
Thank you so much, Jess! I really appreciate that.
And I am SO glad to hear that I am not the only one with a "seminal"-related academia experience?!!
This is a topic that fascinates because I spent many years living in a developing country and the idea of "time to yourself" is more or less completely non-existent there. Yet Western parents see it as something required for human survival.
Where I used to live many families live in (especially by American standards) very small living spaces. Two rooms, one for sleeping (everyone in one room) and one for everything else (cooking, watching TV) is still reasonably common, though it is changing as the country gets richer and a middle class emerges.
I remember talking to one friend who said that when he visits his fiance's family they all sleep in the same (only) bedroom. Imagine an American sleeping in the same room as their future in-laws!
Yet at some point in the past 30-50 years we all (and I mostly include myself!) arrived at this notion that we need hours a day to ourselves for our "mental health" or to "decompress". And we mostly achieve that by staying up way too late and then being exhausted the next day.
And it is even harder because it is one of those things you need "two yeses" to really implement in a relationship. It is hard (though not impossible) to go to bed at 9:30 when your partner insists on watching Netflix or gaming or whatever until 11pm every night.
This is really interesting! I hadn't even though to question the whole premise of the "time to yourself" idea. Definitely makes me think!
I read this at 11:40 at night rather than going to bed. I should probably take a lesson from that.
Love the irony...! (I also found myself writing this post late at night, so you are not alone)
I loved this topic and related so much. My 10 year old daughter is also a bedtime procrastinator. No tech interference in her case, but some of the stuff you spoke about is definitely relevant.
Ps, I'm glad you have some sponsorship. I love your work and, and you deserve to be paid for it.
Thank you so much Belinda!
I am so guilty of this! Thank you for addressing this topic!
I am so guilty of it too!!
I’ve been struggling recently with sleep procrastination, thanks for the tips!