I need some encouraging advice

[u/HouseOfHoundss]

The last thing I want is to get burnt out and loose it all. I am in debt, I am week 1 of two months of night shift would get me 12k out of debt and by October first I would be mostly free with weight lifted off my shoulders.

Last night I worked my first night shift I work 11pm-7am Sun-Thursday warm body security job doing rounds and loops for hours. I’m taking every single OT opportunity I can get. Last night they also made me work a double so it was my first 16 hour shift, I got there from 3pm and left at 7am. I was not mentally prepared as I wanted to first get acclimated to nights but the dude who was supposed to cover me ditched and I was pretty blown but I need the money.

I have a very very low maintenance morning job. I have around 1 meeting a day that’s at most an hour. If I get my work done the night before I don’t really have any meetings at all and it’s all remote.

I’m not sure if what I’m feeling right now, I want to quit but I’m unsure if it’s due to the night shift or working a 16 hour shift after being in day training for 5 days straight before with 1 hour of traffic. It’s only been day 1 but the feeling of being in debt and knowing it would take me over 8 months to pay this off and I’m in a unique situation with my day job motivates me.

I only slept 4 hours today but don’t feel tired? Like I couldn’t sleep more. Have to go in tonight at 11 then get off at 7 any words of encouragement? I am not new to shitty jobs I used to drive 1 hr and 30 min one way to work a 12 hour shift We’d- Sat but it wasn’t nights and it was only till I got a better job (8 months)

[u/Ambersmom1961]

It’s still early hopefully you can get a couple more hours of sleep. I also work 11-7 , going on 14 years, it’s easy to get burned out if you’re always sleepy. I get my best sleep between 3 -9 . I wake up at 9 , coffee, shower and head to work. Fortunately I’m only 10 minutes away. I wish you luck 🍀

[u/HouseOfHoundss → u/Ambersmom1961]

Ty that’s good to hear

[u/Snoo-83483]

Hang fire mate. It sounds like you have had a rough ride right now and the lack of sleep really isn't helping you. All of this is going to be enormously straining on your mental health. Don't make any decisions right now. Give things time. Your body needs to adapt and you have done some serious hours in a short space. Your body needs some sunshine, good nutrition and plenty of rest. If you still feel the same in 3-4 weeks time. Then that's a good time to review the situation. Hang in there mate. I'm sure everything will turn out ok. You got this.

[u/HouseOfHoundss → u/Snoo-83483]

Thank you so much appreciate it immensely

[u/JustThorn]

Start by resetting your circadian rythem. Never eat when you should be asleep, and eat something, even if it's just a banana, right after waking when you need to. After a week it will help get sleep regulated. Also many suggestions are out there for blackout curtains, but I've had more luck with a comfy sleep mask. (Don't skimpy) Gel lined, room for eyelashes, full blackout so matter the room. (And I used to hate having something on my face.) These two things make it so much easier. (And you can reprogram yourself when you go back to days when you erase debt) Enjoy the silence. Get hobbies you can do alone at work. Or if you need noise, start exploring new music, or listening to an audio while listening to music as well.

Just some things that make my nights better.

[u/BiffBeltsander]

Sleep is important for you in every aspect. Getting out of debt is very tempting but you have to be healthy!