Running on good vibes + caffeine, hold the sleep
- Carol Lucio
- Mar 13
- 2 min read
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
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Wow, that sounds intense! I admire your dedication. Balancing that many commitments must have been exhausting. When I'm feeling overwhelmed with work, I sometimes take a short break to play the Dinosaur Game on Chrome; it’s simple but lets me zone out for a few minutes and reset. Hope you found ways to de-stress back then!
Wow, this article is so relatable! I've had similar experiences staying up late for work and school, it really feels like my body is being drained. Looks like I really need to adjust my schedule and prioritize sleep! The body is the capital of revolution, after all.
For others, it’s environment. If you ever want to truly reset (and maybe sleep like you mean it), check out spaces like https://www.themaimongroup.com/vacation-homes-west-hollywood Sometimes the first step to slowing down is choosing a place designed for peace — not pressure. Rest isn’t a luxury. It’s the foundation for everything else.