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How I Finally Kicked My Staying-Up-Too-Late Habit (Introducing the Go-to-Bed Challenge!)

Updated: May 31, 2021 | 616 Comments | This post may contain affiliate links. Click here for our full disclosure.

Pinterest pin with two images. First image is of a girl in pajamas holding a giant yellow alarm clock by her head. The second image is of a woman in bed, sitting up and stretching with her arms above her head. Text overlay says, "The 21-Day Go-To-Bed-Challenge: Get the rest you deserve!"

I used to suffer from a serious condition called BCI. (Butt-on-Couch Inertia.)

It’s a terrible affliction whereby the sufferer’s butt is superglued to the couch in the evenings amidst the magical stillness and silence of the late-night hours. This chronic condition is exacerbated by peacefully sleeping children, netflix or a good book, and an excessively comfortable couch or recliner.

Symptoms worsen considerably with the intoxicating crackle of a fire in the fireplace, any forbidden-to-children treats, and a hot beverage that can be consumed without interruption.

I was on the brink, people.

Drunk on silence late at night, but complete and utter road kill by the crack of dawn. Classic case of BCI.

Every morning I dragged my sorry behind out of bed at the latest possible minute, I would curse myself repeatedly for not going to bed earlier. I’d drag myself around all day, propping open my eyelids, loading up on more coffee than I should (especially considering my adrenal fatigue), and generally feel absolutely stinkin’ miserable (not to mention unproductive). Oh, and let’s just say – those days didn’t exactly lend themselves to a sunny disposition, either.

But what happened when the kids were finally all blissfully slumbering in their beds that night? BOING! I’m suddenly glued to the couch and before I know it – it’s midnight or later… again.

The kids wake up before us and play nicely or colour, or watch a show downstairs. We’re getting the kids to school on time. Everything’s “fine”, technically.

But I felt constantly frustrated and behind and strung out. Mornings were way too rushed, and impatient words and unhappy kids were the norm. I hated that.

I knew that I wanted to start getting up earlier – there are so many obvious benefits to starting your day off with the things that feed your soul and mind. I want to feel ready to face the day head-on, instead of feeling like the day is stomping angrily into my bedroom, ripping me from my warm bed, and tossing me mercilessly into the fray.

My friend Crystal is a total rockstar at the morning routine thing. She even offers a Make Over Your Mornings 14-Day eCourse. I’ve stayed at her house for the weekend, kept her up way-too-late talking (BCI is contagious, I guess), and she still managed to get up way before the rest of us, getting stuff done in the early morning hours like a total boss.

I’ve wanted to maximize my morning hours like Crystal for a long time now, but something was getting in my way. Yeah – that whole Butt-on-Couch Inertia. It’s a real thing, people.

But when I committed to myself that 2016 is going to the year that I finally get vibrantly healthy again, I realized that it starts with just one simple habit: GO THE HECK TO BED.

I had to find a way to overcome my BCI and get myself to bed way earlier, so that I could then take back my mornings. It was impossible for me to be getting up earlier if I kept staying up way too late and being chronically exhausted. Plus, my adrenal fatigue actually started to worsen instead of improve, which freaked me out.

I finally told myself that enough is enough – and I challenged myself to change my bedtime habits as the first step toward better health and happiness in 2016.

So I did.

Yeah – really, simple as that. It turns out that the key to making yourself go to bed earlier is simply this: want it badly enough.

Yup. Simpler than you thought, right? No tricks, no timers, no bribes. That’s the thing about human nature – if you want something (realistic) badly enough, you’ll generally find a way to get it.

If you take a good, honest look at your life and find that you actually want those late-night quiet hours zoned out on the couch more than you want adequate sleep and a peaceful morning routine, then there isn’t a blog post, book, timer, or bribe out there that can change your habits.

BUT… if you’re at a point where you really, really want to overcome your Butt-on-Couch Inertia and start getting the rest you deserve so that your days can start off better… come along with me, my friends.

If I can actually do this successfully, then I know you can too.

I know that sometimes we all just need a little boost to get over that initial hump of getting started, so I created a free challenge for you all to join in, with daily email support and tough love straight to your inbox.

Then leave a comment on this post to publicly state your ‘head-on-pillow time’ for the challenge. (Mine’s 10:30pm.)

We’ll get into all the nitty-gritty stuff in the email series: winding down, creating a bedtime routine, natural sleep aids, finding your ideal bedtime, making sure you still get “me time”, night owl tips, creating our new morning goals, and so much more.

The first email will be a “day zero” to help you get ready, including a free printable to track your progress and write down your goals, then you dive into Day 1 after that. Don’t miss my post on 7 Ways to Fake That You’re a Morning Person to help get momentum going in the right direction!

About Beth

Beth is the creator here at Red & Honey. Mom of four, wife of one, and proud redhead. Sushi and tex-mex lover, fan of adventure, books, natural health talk, and pyjamas. INFP and Type 4 enneagram. Allergic to small talk. And, if you haven't figured it out already, #nerd. Read more posts by Beth.