Running on good vibes + caffeine, hold the sleep

I remember this like it was yesterday (even though it was many sleeps ago). Back in college, I was in hustle mode—grinding my way through a full course load while juggling three jobs.

Yeah, three. 

Schedule breakdown:

• Full-time job: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays. 

• Part-time retail job: Weekends. 

• Another part-time gig bussing tables: Weekend nights. 

• Classes on Tuesdays, Thursdays, plus a brutal three-hour night class on Wednesdays. 

To no one’s surprise, I was exhausted. But I didn’t realize how bad it was until Thanksgiving weekend hit. Between a big group project and an insane work schedule, I was running on vibes and caffeine. I felt tired, but I thought, I got this. 

Until I didn’t. 

Driving on a four-lane highway from one job to the next, I nodded off. Next thing I knew, I was jolted awake by my car hitting the rumble strips, seconds away from veering into a ditch. My heart was pounding. I pulled over, took a deep breath, and faced a hard truth: I was burning out. 

I made it home that night, safe but shaken. And I quit that restaurant job immediately. My body needed rest, and I finally listened. 

So why am I telling you this? Because if you’re a go-getter, a hustler, someone who wants it all—I see you. My mom always said I had FOMO before FOMO was even a thing. I was all about “burning the candle at both ends”…and honestly? In the middle too. 

But here’s the deal: It’s not a flex. It’s exhausting. 

That’s why Sleep Awareness Week (March 9-15, 2025) is a thing. Sleep isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s essential—for your body, your mind, and your whole life. Running on empty isn’t sustainable, and science backs it up: 

• Most Americans struggle with quality sleep. 

• Daylight saving time messes with our circadian rhythms more than we think

• Sleep deprivation = higher risk of crashes (trust me, I learned the hard way). 

So, real talk: Listen to your body. Make sleep a priority, not an afterthought. You’ve only got one life—live it well-rested. 

Here are six tips to Be your Best Slept Self (download this one for the future!) >>

credit: NSF Facebook

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For more information on drowsy driving and taking care of your personal and mental health, check out sadd.org/programs