How Rebecca went from doing everything right and struggling to achieving insomnia freedom (#70)

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Ready to get your life back from insomnia? Learn more about my sleep coaching programs at https://insomniacoach.com<br /><br />Rebecca never struggled with sleep — until she began working 24-hour shifts as a hospital-based midwife.<br /><br />She cared deeply about her patients, and she made a quiet promise to herself: nothing would go wrong on her watch. That meant staying awake through every shift. Over time, that vigilance seeped into her nights at home. Sleep became something she chased — and then something she feared.<br /><br />Rebecca tried everything: medication, strict CBT-I programs, endless data tracking, a long list of rules. And still, sleep didn’t come. She followed every instruction, but nothing seemed to work — and somewhere along the way, she started to believe that something was wrong with her. That she wasn't doing something right.<br /><br />What changed wasn’t a new pill or a stricter plan. It was her relationship with sleep — and with herself.<br /><br />She began practicing a different approach. She gave herself permission to rest without sleep. To play golf. To laugh with friends. To live with uncertainty and discomfort instead of fighting them. She made room for the thoughts and feelings that once overwhelmed her — and realized they didn’t have to control her life.<br /><br />Sleep didn’t return overnight. But as her days became fuller and her nights gentler, it began to come back — naturally, and with far less struggle.<br /><br />Today, Rebecca still has shorter nights from time to time, as all human beings do. And they no longer define her or limit her. Because she knows: she can still live fully and move forward — no matter what the night brings.<br /><br />Chapters:<br /><br />00:00:00 Introduction<br />00:03:26 Career Stress and Sleep<br />00:06:03 Turning to Medication<br />00:08:18 Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Struggles<br />00:10:52 Dependency and the Search for Help<br />00:11:56 Trying Multiple Programs<br />00:13:36 Feeling Like a Failure<br />00:14:49 Discovering a New Approach<br />00:16:29 Daytime Struggles and Isolation<br />00:18:00 Why Traditional Programs Fell Short<br />00:20:00 Starting the ACT-Aligned Course<br />00:21:57 Flexible Tools and Email Support<br />00:23:35 Refocusing on Daytime Joy<br />00:25:04 The Power of Intent and Letting Go<br />00:27:02 Mindset Shift vs Sleep Control<br />00:28:44 Embracing Flexibility Over Rules<br />00:30:28 Meditation, Journaling, and Pain<br />00:33:12 Slowing Down and Building Skills<br />00:35:02 Self-Discovery Through Acceptance<br />00:37:15 Opening Up to Thoughts and Feelings<br />00:39:22 Responding with Kindness, Not Control<br />00:41:03 Choosing Flexible, Peaceful Responses<br />00:43:00 Acceptance, Not Struggle<br />00:45:26 Redefining Sleep Success<br />00:47:01 Challenging Sleep Myths<br />00:48:57 Embracing Life, Not Sleep Rules<br />00:50:31 Letting Sleep Take Care of Itself<br />00:52:23 Sleep Follows Life Improvements<br />00:54:02 The Role of Time and Persistence<br />00:56:10 Final Words of Encouragement<br />00:57:31 Outro and Contact Information<br /><br />▶ Subscribe to the Insomnia Coach channel (and be sure to click the notification bell afterward so you don't miss any videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL5LsLUeVA2j_Vsl5625shQ?sub_confirmation=1<br /><br />My name is Martin Reed and I am the founder of Insomnia Coach®. I offer sleep coaching programs that will help you stop struggling with sleep so you can get your life back from insomnia. I also offer a free two-week sleep training course for insomnia at https://insomniacoach.com/sleep-training/?ref=youtube053025<br /><br />You can also find me here:<br /><br />Website: https://insomniacoach.com<br />Twitter: https://twitter.com/insomniacoach<br />Facebook: https://facebook.com/insomniacoach<br />Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myinsomniacoach/<br /><br />All content found on the Insomnia Coach YouTube channel is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. The statements and opinions expressed by guests are their own and are not necessarily endorsed by Insomnia Coach LLC. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.<br /><br />#insomnia<br />#sleep

Insomnia Coach 1.5K views May 30, 2025 3:00 pm

Ready to get your life back from insomnia? Learn more about my sleep coaching programs at https://insomniacoach.com

Rebecca never struggled with sleep — until she began working 24-hour shifts as a hospital-based midwife.

She cared deeply about her patients, and she made a quiet promise to herself: nothing would go wrong on her watch. That meant staying awake through every shift. Over time, that vigilance seeped into her nights at home. Sleep became something she chased — and then something she feared.

Rebecca tried everything: medication, strict CBT-I programs, endless data tracking, a long list of rules. And still, sleep didn’t come. She followed every instruction, but nothing seemed to work — and somewhere along the way, she started to believe that something was wrong with her. That she wasn’t doing something right.

What changed wasn’t a new pill or a stricter plan. It was her relationship with sleep — and with herself.

She began practicing a different approach. She gave herself permission to rest without sleep. To play golf. To laugh with friends. To live with uncertainty and discomfort instead of fighting them. She made room for the thoughts and feelings that once overwhelmed her — and realized they didn’t have to control her life.

Sleep didn’t return overnight. But as her days became fuller and her nights gentler, it began to come back — naturally, and with far less struggle.

Today, Rebecca still has shorter nights from time to time, as all human beings do. And they no longer define her or limit her. Because she knows: she can still live fully and move forward — no matter what the night brings.

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction
00:03:26 Career Stress and Sleep
00:06:03 Turning to Medication
00:08:18 Sleep Apnea Diagnosis and Struggles
00:10:52 Dependency and the Search for Help
00:11:56 Trying Multiple Programs
00:13:36 Feeling Like a Failure
00:14:49 Discovering a New Approach
00:16:29 Daytime Struggles and Isolation
00:18:00 Why Traditional Programs Fell Short
00:20:00 Starting the ACT-Aligned Course
00:21:57 Flexible Tools and Email Support
00:23:35 Refocusing on Daytime Joy
00:25:04 The Power of Intent and Letting Go
00:27:02 Mindset Shift vs Sleep Control
00:28:44 Embracing Flexibility Over Rules
00:30:28 Meditation, Journaling, and Pain
00:33:12 Slowing Down and Building Skills
00:35:02 Self-Discovery Through Acceptance
00:37:15 Opening Up to Thoughts and Feelings
00:39:22 Responding with Kindness, Not Control
00:41:03 Choosing Flexible, Peaceful Responses
00:43:00 Acceptance, Not Struggle
00:45:26 Redefining Sleep Success
00:47:01 Challenging Sleep Myths
00:48:57 Embracing Life, Not Sleep Rules
00:50:31 Letting Sleep Take Care of Itself
00:52:23 Sleep Follows Life Improvements
00:54:02 The Role of Time and Persistence
00:56:10 Final Words of Encouragement
00:57:31 Outro and Contact Information

▶ Subscribe to the Insomnia Coach channel (and be sure to click the notification bell afterward so you don’t miss any videos): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCL5LsLUeVA2j_Vsl5625shQ?sub_confirmation=1

My name is Martin Reed and I am the founder of Insomnia Coach®. I offer sleep coaching programs that will help you stop struggling with sleep so you can get your life back from insomnia. I also offer a free two-week sleep training course for insomnia at https://insomniacoach.com/sleep-training/?ref=youtube053025

You can also find me here:

Website: https://insomniacoach.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/insomniacoach
Facebook: https://facebook.com/insomniacoach
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myinsomniacoach/

All content found on the Insomnia Coach YouTube channel is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease, disorder, or medical condition. It should never replace any advice given to you by your physician or any other licensed healthcare provider. Insomnia Coach LLC offers coaching services only and does not provide therapy, counseling, medical advice, or medical treatment. The statements and opinions expressed by guests are their own and are not necessarily endorsed by Insomnia Coach LLC. All content is provided “as is” and without warranties, either express or implied.

#insomnia
#sleep