Skip to Content
Opinion

The 7 Dull, Wearying, Pointless Stages of Insomnia

Or, what I did instead of sleeping last night.

Alexandra Gorman via Unsplash

The internet is magic. I thought I wasted a whole night of potentially sweet, sweet sleep last night by tossing and turning and "thinking." In fact, I was Being Creative. Just how creative is for you to say. (Not to my face though, I'm in a mood.) Anyway, with apologies to Elisabeth Kübler-Ross, here is my feedback from an unplanned Sunday night sleep study.

1. If I make a mental list of everything I need to do tomorrow, my brain will run out of reasons to keep me awake. Repeat for “this week.” Repeat for “forever.”

2. What time is it? Repeat as needed. (Well, not “needed,” but you know what I mean.)

3. What if Hell was just eternal insomnia, or something minor like a migraine you can never get relief from? It really wouldn’t take much for something to amount to torture, would it? It’s just pain + eternity – hope. Everything else is just Catholics being weird.

4. Imagining multiple forms of torture (usually involving small spaces) and realizing how poorly I could withstand them. What’s wrong with me? Why am I so weak?

5. Pee. (Repeat sporadically, depending on age. Reflect on age if appropriate)

6. Begin the “the worst decision I ever made was...” and/or everything would have been different if only I had…” cycle. Repeat with multiple regrets.

7. I wonder if this could be content.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Racket

Welcome to St. Paul, Where the Cops… Do Their Jobs

Plus someone regrets their 'Precarious State' interview, repainting a painted-over mural, and big plans around Allianz Field in today's Flyover news roundup.

We’re Talkin’ Groceries in This Week’s Open Thread

As we do every Friday, we're turning Racket over to you, the readers.

October 10, 2025

Freeloader Friday: 121 Free Things To Do This Weekend

St. Paul Art Crawl happenings, a THC Oktoberfest, outdoor movie screenings, book parties, and a Trekkie bar crawl.

On the Big Screen This Week: Cine Latino, Channing Tatum, and All Kind of Screams

Pretty much all the movies you can catch in the Twin Cities this week.

October 9, 2025

Jason Kelce Shouts Out ‘Axiest’ in ‘Minneanapolis’

Plus let's talk about Betty McCollum, asset seizure on the rise in MN, and signs of Dinkytown's changing in today's Flyover news roundup.

October 9, 2025
See all posts