I am an insomniac. In the past I had struggled with this problem and it frustrated me because I felt like getting to sleep was the best use of my nighttime. Instead of accepting my sleeping disorder and using the time to productive pursuits, I would turn on the television in the hope of it numbing me enough to fall asleep from boredom. With the power process approach I have turned my insomnia into a positive aspect of my life.
I use the time when everybody else is asleep to my advantage, whether to catch up on schoolwork, to read for pleasure, or to make artwork. Instead of letting my insomnia determine my attitude, I made a proactive choice to change my outlook and accept that my body does not need as much sleep as most people. This means that I am able to function productively for more hours. This change in habit has produced many positive results. I only go to sleep when I am tired and my body needs the sleep as opposed to trying to numb myself to sleep.
I wake up energized and encouraged by the fact that I spent the previous evening to cultivate my passions and to stay ahead of the curve. Instead of procrastinating on projects, I use this time to reflect on my notes and to refine my research so that my work is more complete and professional. My ideas of becoming a successful student are now becoming a reality thanks to the acceptance of my lifestyle. I now conceive of my insomnia as an integral part of who I am becoming in contrast to thinking of it as a problematic obstacle to fight against.