When I say my sleep schedule is messed up, it’s messed up. Like big time. We’re talking about getting home at near midnight and my head hitting the pillow more than a couple hours later.

I can’t go to bed easily after I get home from work. I need time to unwind from the day, enjoy some of my favorite videos, and talk to friends over long distances.

My mother and I have had countless nights of bickering over my sleep habits. How I need to go to bed earlier and how I’d feel so much better if I just got enough sleep. These arguments would wake up the whole house including my father and sister and the argument would just get bigger from there.

However, after all these years, I see how she’s right. I can hear my mom now quoting “The Blind Side” and asking how’d those words taste coming out of my mouth. I’d reply in a heartbeat “like vinegar.”

I am two very different people depending on the amount of sleep I get. When I get enough sleep or I’m comfortable in my bed, I’m happy and cheery and more prone to laugh at jokes. When I don’t get enough sleep or get super tired during the day, I’m more subdued, sad, and sometimes angry.

Not only that, but lack of sleep comes with many mean side effects. My parents and sister sometimes take the brunt of my emotions, whether it be sad or angry. I can’t focus at work and the world around me feels like it’s spinning. My reality seems to warp right in front of me.

Articles and people have told me when you get older, you don’t see the need to stay up til the wee hours every night and I’m starting to believe them. Or something my mom would say, “we’re not so stupid after all.” I’m not at the point in my adult life where I feel tired earlier, but I feel I’m getting there.

Sleep is so important to maintaining a healthy lifestyle and mindset. It keeps the negative thoughts at bay and allows me to enjoy the day a bit more. My mind is less foggy, the bags under my eyes can’t hold rocks, and I’m more present in my own life as well as the lives of others.

The first step to solving some of my problems is getting enough sleep and enjoying my day instead of sleeping through the morning. Heading straight to work isn’t too fun when you’ve forgotten to eat something and you’ve barely had any coffee.

The main person I’m thinking about while writing this is my mom. I can see her looking at me with an expression that says “really,” and I can hear her as she asks many questions about whether I’m going to listen to what I say. And to that I say, yes. I am going to try my hardest to fix my sleep pattern and make the most of my days.

I think it’s time I finally put this sleep thing to rest and cave in and listen to the advice of the many people around me saying I look like a zombie and my eyes look sad when I don’t get enough sleep. So, Mom, I apologize for not listening to you sooner.

I’ve proved this sleep theory to be right many times before, so why not try it now? Better late than never, right?

But I don’t have to do it alone. If you struggle with sleep or going to bed late for no reason at all, then maybe this is a call to try to improve. We can all get a good night’s sleep for once.

Plus, it has many other benefits besides an improved mood. You’re more alert on the road, alert in class or work, and you don’t feel like your world is crumbling around you most days.

I know my sleep pattern isn’t going to change overnight. I can’t go from years and years of going to bed super late to going to bed right at midnight everyday, but I can start by weaning it back a half an hour each day.

I know I’ll feel better about myself and the world around me if I do.

Alyssa Ochss is the page designer at The Alpena News. She graduated from Oakland University and loves pop culture and all things nerd. You can reach her at aochss@thealpenanews.com.