Respecting Your Sleep

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Apparently, that's what I'm lacking. For myself... which in some opinions... relates directly to the reason why I may not be getting it. This is true. I've never been very good at putting my foot down when it comes to a guy I have feelings for.

Which is funny, because Spice and I just recently had a brief conversation (email conversation, that is) about respecting one's sleep. Respecting one's sleep? Yes, respecting one's sleep.

Sleep is a basic necessity. If someone cares for you, they will want you to get your rest. We all need it and once we hit the teenager years, we all started to want it. (Ignore the insomniac years I spent in my late teens and early twenties.) Now, as I get even just a tad bit older, I enjoy it. Flat out, love it. I don't love too much of it but waking up bouncing out of bed only comes from really restful sleep.

But - you know what can get in the way of restful sleep?

Phone calls. And sometimes, texts.

Now is when I will lay down the rules for appropriate calling and texting for those who are dating (and over the age of let's say... 25... you know, when people start getting "real" jobs and start needing "real" sleep). Keep in mind, I am not talking about serious relationships or emergencies. Although if you're in a serious relationship and they're calling you at 2AM to chat, you may want to question that...

It is inappropriate to call anyone after say, 10PM during the week and usually on the weekends as well. For some folks, it may even be at 9PM but we do have messages systems at this day and age. If you are trying to date a girl or guy, try to keep the calls before 9PM in general, unless you know them well enough to know they'll be up until 10PM. Anytime after 11PM becomes nothing but booty call hours. And if you're not looking for a booty call and just want to talk... wait until the next day. This is simply being polite, people.

Contacting someone when they are sleeping, when most people are sleeping, (again, unless you know that their schedule is different AND they've said it's ok with them) and saying "hey - wake up, I want to talk" is flat out disrespectful. Calling them over and over again at 2 or 3AM. Terribly disrespectful. If a girl or guy likes you, doing this might make them think twice - in a big "she's kind of psycho" way. Yes, we've all drunk dialed. Drunk dialing does happen on occasion but there is a reason why you're supposed to feel foolish the next day.

If someone doesn't respect you while you are sleeping, how can you even begin to expect them to respect you when you're awake?