It’s a truth universally acknowledged that when a lady does not get the appropriate amount of sleep, she will suffer the morning grumpies. — Jane Austen (or something idk)
I love my sleep. Need my sleep. Many of the friends who have been unfortunate enough to be around a sleep-deprived me will tell you just that. Others, less familiar with my morning affliction, sometimes take it personally. Sadly, I don’t think this is something I can readily change.
I can confirm that I do suffer from such an affliction as “the morning grumpies”. After returning from my travels last month, I no longer do very well in the early hours of the day. A shame, really. After all, it was the time I found myself the most productive once the habit had been formed. However, I haven’t given up yet… and neither has my friend.
This friend—let’s call him, Mr Happy—a weird enigma really, issued an interesting challenge. By the end of this year, he will convert me (or turn me back into) a morning person. I could not anticipate coincidental events leading to such circumstances, but we are here now. A small invitation by me turned into something more than just a little obsession for him. A new hobby. Bouldering. And on top of that, early morning bouldering sessions.
A new fascination that turned my issued invitations into received ones. Imagine my horror when he combined one of my experiential triggers with early mornings. Oh, the irony. I could only laugh at the cards I’d been dealt. I was reluctant, but I didn’t fold and had agreed to this weekly endeavour. Mr Happy was full of excitement and childlike enthusiasm for his newfound pursuit. And I couldn’t help but be swept away by it.
It hasn’t been very long since we’ve begun this ritual, but it has been incredibly difficult. Thursday mornings are the worst. Each one, I have likened my awakening to the utmost suffering I could ever endure. The cold air nipped at my bare skin. And my grumblings and groanings followed each bleary-eyed stumble. An inconvenience for sure. It’s during the waking hours when I regret it the most, but there is much to enjoy after the initial suffering.
I start my day by brushing my teeth and changing my clothes. If I didn’t carb-load the night before, I would eat a cup of porridge instead of having my usual protein Up&Go and drive to my first location. I do as little as possible to maximise what sleep I can get. Once I’ve arrived at Mr Happy’s, that’s when the next round of suffering begins. My friend is just a little too chipper in the mornings.
He initiates conversation with much vigour, making a lot of jokes—many of which fly over my head. It’s just too early to decipher his wit. If we filmed the scene like a strange YouTube comedy series, I’m sure you’d laugh at our dynamic. Think James Corden and carpool karaoke, except it’s the same guest every single time, and it’s actually funny.
There are times he expresses his love of garbage trucks overenthusiastically (as a joke ofc), moments of half-constructive conversations, and nonsensical creative ideation. What I once liked to call “demon hours” of the daytime has become a shared playroom of absurd thought. And I really mean absurd. It was as if Absolem, the blue caterpillar, had spoken. Absolute tomfoolery.
Of course, the morning mental gymnastics of conversing with someone witty has been a big challenge. But it’s one I’ve enjoyed (past the initial annoyance of sacrificing my quiet mornings). And even more so, I’ve loved the inconvenience of this entire circumstance, despite losing sleep every now and again. I don’t believe friendship can exist without inconveniences and annoyances every now and again.
So I’m glad for this funny friendship between Mr Happy and Little Miss Grumpy-in-the-Mornings. I’m rather amused by the strange dynamic we seem to have and grateful for the shared hobbies we can enjoy together. And, of course, I’m more than happy to be inconvenienced to enjoy the company of my friends when the effort is shared. Past having to depart my warm and comfy bed before sunrise, I will deal with the discomfort.
I will bear with your terrible jokes. We are friends. Ahahaha. Oh dear.
Little Miss Grumpy-in-the-Mornings is often the picture of a grumpy girl who could not find the right rhythm in her slumber. She is rudely awoken by first, her alarm and, second, a wake-up call. But she loves experiencing life with friends more than her sleep (sometimes). And more than anything else, she loves that she can grow alongside the people who are alike and unlike her.
And readers, please enjoy this experience with me. Watch us attempt a duo boulder (albeit an easy one) from last week.
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