I’m interviewing for a night shift position in a couple days and I’ve always worked 8-4 or 9-5. I’m a little scared of the idea though! I’m worried about seeing my family less because my sleep schedule will be totally different than theirs.
So, night shift workers of the world, what has your experience been like and how do you manage being present in your family life?
Overnight wasn’t bad because I could sleep while the kiddo was at school. 2nd is pretty rough though if you have a family.
The night shift for me was the purest form of hell. My favorite shift was the 2-10, 3-11.
It is nearly impossible when you are not living on your own and able to keep circadian rhythm. It also just sucks IMO. I wouldn’t do it again unless I was paid 3+ times as much as a day shift.
I did two, two week stents while living out of a hotel…I will never do it again if I have to do it out of a hotel. But 6pm to 2 am etc out of my own place I’d consider.
It’s just hard at first forcing yourself to sleep. Blackout curtains help. Or a sleep mask.
I grew up with a dad that regularly worked nights, and I worked nights for a few years when I first moved out. It will definitely mess with family plans, especially if you have young kids. Holidays and get togethers often mean getting less sleep so you can get up and travel or cook on a day shift schedule. Invest in a white noise machine or app if you aren’t a deep sleeper, and get a sleeping mask or blackout curtains.
Depending on what time you get off anything before early afternoon is now in the middle of the night for you. All your errands have to be run within the first hour or two after waking up, unless you want to try doing it at ass o’clock in the morning after working all night.
Despite the problems I honestly did enjoy working night shift, I’m a night owl anyway and night shifts are usually quieter. It also helps if you live in a large city with more 24 hour stores.
