A couple of weeks ago, my job decided to move me from graveyard shift to second shift. I'd been on graveyard for about four years up till then, and thus was both willing and nervous about changing shifts. Willing, because four years of only working from 9pm till the next morning, tends to impact the things you take for granted on many levels.
For one, you live opposite everyone else. When you go to work, everyone else is at home. When telemarketers call, they aren't interrupting your dinner, or leaving messages while your not at home, they are instead interrupting your sleep. Your social life basically goes to pieces, so if unless you are married, have kids, or a serious significant other already, the chances of meeting people, friends, or gaining new acquaintances is shot. You also are usually more tired, see light as the enemy, and generally never get anything done.
On the plus side, you usually make more money, don't have to deal with traffic, and can drink beer in the mornings, although this could be a big minus depending on your state's blue laws. Night work is also usually slower then daytime, although in my case, it wasn't, but that was due to work being unable to staff up correctly part of the time.
As is, going for four years, and one gets used to things. Thus moving to a day shift was going to need some adjustment. I was certainly all for the move, just internally a little apprehensive, over both the different work atmosphere, as well as the possibility of rejoining the human race in my own timezone.
Being several weeks now, I can still say I'm glad of the whole move. Work is different, but not in a bad way. I never really had a lot of time on the graveyard shift, but now I'm more focused on set procedures and work then before. My diet is also coming under control as I'm able to eat at more regular times, and have a lot more choice. I still don't have a big social life, however already I'm not stressed when friends show up in town, and want to do lunch, as now, I'm certainly awake.
It'll still take some time to fully adjust, and more time adjust my own self perception and get back on the dating horse again, but now I see the light in the distance, as a beacon, and not as this hostile otherworld.