Every once in a while it seems like a good idea to skip that 3hour nap you could have taken and pull an all nighter, that continues for another day and then another..
It all starts normal, you wake up with the feeling that you can do it, you are mentally and physically prepared for no sleep. However, after several hours your body begins to go through several stages of coping:
Stage one: Acceptance. This is when you train your body with the idea that you will be lugging around for 30+ hours with minimal sleep. If you're having a big night without sleeping after, this is when you feel pretty awesome and start boasting about how you will have no sleep after the epic night.
Stage two: The 'YOU CAN DO IT' stage: This is when you head to your dorm after the big night and quickly gather your things for the next destination. You're still likely a bit drunk or on a slight high, so you feel super motivated to get your things together and get out. This is the moment you and your friend give each other that look ' YOU GO GLEN COCO'.
Stage three: The Initial Crash. You sit down in that taxi or on that seat while you wait for that train and your head falls so perfectly into you bag, you feel like you could going into a deep slumber at any moment. Then boom, you reach your first stop, you need to move around, your body starts to shut down, you slowly start sobering up. This is when you start questioning your choice of the all-nighter.
Stage four: Burst of Joy. This is when you question whether the barista spiked your coffee, all of a sudden everything is rainbows and sunshines. The uncontrollable giggles feel like you've eaten several special brownies, however the pain from laughing increases as the hours pass. The giggles slowly turn into tears and next thing you know all you want to do is sleep.
Stage five: Anger. If you don't get sleep soon, someone will physically put you to sleep due to your intolerable behaviour. People start giving you weird looks because you look like you want to hurt them. You want to punch the lady making the announcements at the airport or train station, and that kid crying in the corner.. lets not even get started on that one.
Final stage: Actual Acceptance: This is when you come to terms with the idea and think of sleep as a fond memory, a thing that only normal people do. You start reminiscing about your bed and the good times you guys had together. Tears well up and the next you know you realise you have drooled all over the top of your bag. You gave in, even for those 5 minutes you closed your eyes, it felt like you achieved a full nights worth.
The simple joy that sleep can be once you have been on the road for too long. Knowing you will get sleep at the end of a long period is even better than getting to the destination.
What is the longest you have gone without sleep?
What is the longest you have gone without sleep?
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