Making the switch from shift work to a 9-5?

[Anonymous]

DH has worked a rotating shift schedule our entire 20-year marriage — including partial and full weekends — and he’s almost always been on overnights or midday shifts, usually getting home around 8pm.

Next week, he starts a new administrative role with a typical M–F 9–5 schedule. I’m genuinely excited for the normalcy and consistency, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little apprehensive too. The only times we’ve ever been on a “normal” schedule together have been during vacations or when he’s had a random week off — and even then, it’s not a true routine, more of a break. This change is permanent, and for some reason, I’m kind of panicking.

If you or your partner has made a similar switch, how was the adjustment period? I know I’m probably overthinking it, but it just feels like a huge shift in our day-to-day life. Would love to hear how others handled the transition.