Last night, April 7th 2010 I started the season (early, I might add) by sleeping backwards. I have been doing this since I was a child. When the weather gets warmer I turn around on my stomach and lie where my feet should be. I don’t know why or how this started, I believe it was an effort to be cooler, but since then I have done it every year of my life. I don’t see it stopping anytime soon either.
April is really early for sleeping backwards I have to admit. Usually the season starts in May or June but yesterday’s weather in the upper 80’s made it impossible for me to sleep the “normal” way. I always know when to sleep backwards, it’s just a feeling, an intuition. Arms are flung off the bed, legs in a spider position, hair, off my face in a high pony-tail and definitely sleeping on your stomach. There is no sleeping backwards on your back, it does not exist, at least for me. There is, of course, “sleeping backwards etiquette.” Lying on your back, sleeping backwards is totally unacceptable.
My husband is not a big fan of my sleeping backwards. He has a pillow/feet issue. Not that my feet are touching his pillow but they are definitely too close for his comfort level. He has a thing about sheets (don’t scratch them, he hates the noise) don’t lie on them (with clothes or freshly showered), and don’t, EVER put your feet anywhere near his pillow. When the children were much younger they used to take their freshly bathed toes and touch his pillow anyway. (okay, sometimes they still do it) We all have our own idiosyncracies and we’re better off if we accept them,(even though we may think they are the stupidest thing we have ever heard of.) Accepting them keeps marriages together, believe me. Loading the dishwasher is another marital deal-breaker; he has a pattern, I don’t. Once I put dishes in the dishwasher he changes them ergo I have stopped putting dishes in the dishwasher and now put them in a sink. Harmony restored.
Just as I thought I was the only one to turn a pillow over so you don’t get the warm spot, who knows, other people might do this too. If so, I could probably form a “Sleeping Backwards” Facebook group. I would be the President and CEO. It’s amazing the little habits we all have that we think are ours alone. Sleep backwards if that suits your fancy, turn your pillow around to find the cool spot, arrange and rearrange the covers so that they are perfect (hint: Danny). Enjoy life, if these things make you happy, just do it, but just remember your spouse or companion will definitely have their little odd ways too. Try to accept them.
***** Join my Facebook Group: Sleeping Backwards
Hibernationnow's Blog 
I sleep back words because that is where my window was,in my old room..in my house. Even now that I’m in a new room. I find it uncomfortable to sleep “normal”. The fan is on until the first frost hits for white noise,then i use ear plugs all winter.(I’m a very very light sleeper. I once woke up only because my father opened his bedroom door,and another time because my cat jumped off my bed.) anyway,sleeping backwards just seemed natural to me,the only time i sleep normally is when there is a thunderstorm/heat lightning storm. (1 because of light flashes. and I’m still squeamish of lightning going through my window and zapping me. an idiosyncrasy if you’ll let me snag your fancy word. ) I also flip the pillow over for a cold side,and hate the feeling of a wet pillow. if my pillow is wet from someone else i instantly wash it,and if is from me I place the pillow aside to dry,and sleep on the couch.
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The Sleeping Backwards Group is now on Facebook. come join me!!!!!!!!
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That is so damn funny… I sleep backwards too! Maybe not as a tradition, but I do when I’m hot… and I also do the turning my pillow over… crack me up! We have so much in common!! You sound like you are feeling a little better… that’s goodness.
A great post, as always.
It always makes me smile to visit your blog… thanks for that. I definitely needed that tonight.
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Let me know when the Facebook group gets started! I don’t sleep backwards, but the concept sounds intreguing! Hope it gives you a good night’s sleep full of pleasant, not backwards, dreams!
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