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Tag: Up All Night

Filed under posts where I either discuss — or engage in — all-nighters!!

  • THE MALADAPTIVE DAYDREAM

    Ever wonder where I got my username from? I used to be seriously stuck in my head as a kid. It’s no wonder why I grew up to be a writer, having such a vivid imagination and all.

    I haven’t really maladaptively daydreamed in years. It’s more like excessive now, where it doesn’t really interrupt my day-to-day aspects of living. I’ve always been fairly high-functioning in whatever I do, so even if it were interruptive, it’d be hard to tell.

    But lately, I don’t know. It’s becoming more appealing again. I haven’t had a relapse before, because I’d tend to get stuck not having “satisfying” enough daydreams, which would be frustrating in the moment, but worked out to my benefit because I wouldn’t get that shot of dopamine that would keep me running back to the fantasies inside my head.

    I think it’s because I’ve given myself less external stimuli, as well. I’m trying out something new lately where I don’t watch or listen to or consume anything while I work, just so I can let the thoughts roll off onto the page. So far it’s been really nice, I think I really like this workflow, but I think that part of my brain that isn’t distracted now has a lot of time to think. And when I think, I tend to wander.

    Maybe that’s the downside of having an imagination, after all. I can do it for hours again, where I start disconnecting from the world in class because all it takes is one second to zone out before it sucks you back in again. It probably doesn’t help that I’m taking a writing class this quarter, where we’re encouraged to stimulate our imaginations to make them come to life. Even now this article is nonsensical, because I keep zooming in and out of focus, like a camera lens looking for a subject.

  • SUPPRESSING YAWNS

    When a yawned a few minutes ago, I realized something – – that’s the first time I’ve yawned in days.

    Ever since I’ve pulled these back-to-back all-nighters, I’ve felt strangely…awake. Don’t get me wrong, my brain is still fuzzy, but I’ve never had adrenaline this strong to get me through several days of little rest.

    Even now, I’m dog-tired, but it’s like I can feel it everywhere except for my brain. My heart’s fluttering, my chest burns, and I’d like nothing more than to recline on a flat, comfortable surface, but I also feel this weird drive to keep going on. I’ve abused and misused my body before, but never before have I had it give me such pleasant results.

    I wonder if I’ve achieved a new low? I wouldn’t be surprised if everything becomes super sharp and clear before your brain starts to see things that aren’t there.

    Two more days. Just two more days. Man, I know it’ll be okay, but that almost feels like a lifetime away. I wouldn’t be surprised if sleep all through Friday.

  • CRACKING OPEN A COLD ONE

    No, not alcohol. Since I’m going to be up anyway, I figured I might as well supplement my night and get a little help from good ole’ Mr. Mean Bean Java Monster.

    I’m not even a super big fan of energy drinks. I had my first one last fall and, while it worked wonders then, I’ve never quite captured that initial burst of energy that first one gave me. Now I’m chasing a placebo. Maybe I hit my caffeine ceiling.

    I’m only two sips deep and can feel my esophagus burning already. Soon I’ll be stopping to pee every 30 minutes. Hmm. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea to use in combination with being up for the last 48 hours. I’m probably one can away from a heart attack. But there’s no better application for it than a student in the midst of finals week! I’m practically the target demographic!

    Now to begin my annual tradition (ritual?) of bumping “Up All Night” by Owl City as I burn my eyes into the backlight of my laptop monitor, only to be interrupted by meticulous sips of my coffee-flavored beverage.

    After college, I’m probably never touching this stuff again. Not like it works, anyway!

  • THE HEIGHT OF AN ALL-NIGHTER

    It’s that time of night where the feelings are feeling good. I’m currently several hours into being rooted in a chair, staring between two-three screens as I work with upmost dedication on my finals.

    JK! Except, I really mean it this time! I’m actually amped up despite not having a coffee in 48 hours. I’m still a slow worker, but man do I feel good!

    Thus, we’ve reached the peak of the all-nighter. The time where you have the adrenaline flowing, where the creative juices and juicing and your brain is outright wired. You’ve probably noticed a dip in quality between this and my last post from an hour ago, and I’ve certainly noticed the uptick in missed keystrokes and typos, but this is what I live for! Oh man, do I love staying up all night!

    I haven’t done this in quite a while. Lately my sleep schedule has been messed up enough to stay up super later, but I may just pull an all-nighter the whole night through, today. No naps. My only class for the day starts at 5 pm and continues until after 7 pm, which is around the time I’ll crash once I get let out.

    The high is going to come down soon enough, though! I shall ride until I can’t anymore.

    In fact, I shouldn’t have thought about it! I’m starting to feel it now.

    (Also, I recently realized, the vast majority of my posts are still in CST. Most posts being made from November-May and September-November are in EST!)