Lately, my nights have been a little rough—thanks to Jackson, who decided 2:30 a.m. was the perfect time to throw up on the carpet. (Why do pets always choose the carpet?) Add a pulled muscle in my back to the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for bleary eyes and a heavy dose of caffeine.

But here’s the thing—I’ve learned to write what I’m living. As I continue stepping out of my comfort zone with Elevenies, I find myself drawn to the raw, real moments of life. And right now, sleep (or the lack of it) is front and center.

There’s something humbling about being reminded of how essential sleep is, usually by not getting enough of it. It takes me back to those early days of motherhood when sleep came in short, unpredictable bursts, and somehow, I just kept going. I look back and wonder—how did I do it?

Through it all, writing has been my lifeline. It’s where I take those sleepless nights, those moments of chaos, and turn them into something that feels a little bit like magic. It’s where I find the silver linings and the stories that connect us all.

So here’s to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. Sometime soon. And until then, I’ll keep writing my way through the yawns. Until next time…