Informally separated from WAW, but DBing my best

[AlwaysTrying]

There are two areas of my life that I have pulled a fairly good 180 with.

1) I have found the energy and drive to take care of stuff around the house that I never had before - I always put it off or took the lazy route. I do the dishes, clean up after the kids, and make dinner almost every time I'm with the kids. I still feel that desire to crash on the couch and rest for a few minutes after I've tucked the kids in, but now I get the house cleaned for the next day first.
2) I exercise almost every day. Not a lot, but for 20 minutes or so at least almost every day. I'm stronger and I feel great, although I'm almost constantly a little sore because I like to push a little harder every time. (Surprisingly, 20 minutes is enough time to build muscle)

Other 180's I've done weren't about creating or changing existing habits, so much as they were about changing the way I react to things or handle things to improve the way W and I, and the kids and I relate, or harder to quantify things like putting more time and effort into caring for other people.

I've got to take something from those two big habit changers above to help me with the sleep goal. I have to be honest. With both of them, they are helpful in and of themselves, but I explicitly visualize how those changes make me more attractive to my spouse when I'm considering slacking off.

I know I'm supposed to be making these changes for myself, but that works for me. I feel weird and unconvinced about visualizing how going to bed on time is going to make me more attractive. I know it is actually true - who wouldn't prefer a mate who was more attentive and aware and witty and could remember things and be punctual, etc, etc ,etc. You want to be with someone who takes care of themselves and is overflowing with life energy and feels good.

In terms of attractiveness, it's probably more important than the working out, really. I think what is hard for me to accept is that it is not so much about doing something as not doing something. There are no immediately visible results. I have to *stop* doing everything else.

And honestly, that voice that goes through my head at 10 after 10 that says, "You'll be a better person if you go to sleep now." just becomes a downer as the night wears on and I feel like a jerk for not doing what I told myself I would.