The alarm clock rings, a piercing sound that jolts me out of sleep. I groan and roll over, trying to will myself back to dreamland. But the day has already begun, pulling me out of the warm cocoon of my bed.

I take a shower, the water hot and steamy on my skin. Even though I slept for eight hours, I can't shake the feeling of exhaustion. I can't remember what I dreamt about. Had I dreamt at all?

I make coffee, the smell of it filling my nose. The caffeine jolts my brain awake, but my thoughts are still foggy. I check my phone, scrolling through social media. I don't remember what I read, but I feel a sense of anxiety creeping up on me. Had I read at all?

I go to work, the routine of it all. Meetings, emails, deadlines. I can't focus. My mind keeps drifting. I think about what I'm going to make for dinner. If I should call my friend back. If I remembered to turn off the iron. Did I do any work at all?

The day passes in a blur, and before I know it, it's time to go home. I'm too tired to cook, so I order takeout. I sit in front of the TV, mindlessly flipping through the channels. Did I watch anything at all?

I return to the warm cocoon of my bed, hoping to forget today that will repeat tomorrow. Does any of it matter at all?

© 2023 Dean Bowman. All Rights Reserved.

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