What do you think about when you lie awake at night?

Why won’t the damn dog shut up?

Usually life and how the universe is possible, and then I just miserably frustrate and confuse myself because nothing that I thing of makes any sense at all…then I eventually zone out for a really long time…

Farm animals.

How much homework I still have to do and how what I did finish is just a tiny fraction of it. Seriously, it’s like a never ending/never shrinking amount.

I think about what I want to do the next day. Then I think reasonable about what I’ll do taking into account the fact that I’ll probably wake up around 11 or noon.

I think about people and places, too.

…Then I think I’m thinking too much and how I’ve worn myself out and I pass out.

@Bluefreedom You are scaring me…
I think of work mostly.

Things I haven’t gotten done.

Problems not yet resolved.

Sometimes, even upcoming events I am excited about.

Everything, but mostly I wonder why can’t I sleep when I’m so tired!!!

Deadlines that are coming up or passing.

Usually I will reflect on the day’s events and ponder how I could have improved or done things differently.

I think about the people who are no longer in my life whom I want back in, and wonder if they are ever thinking about me in the same way.

I dry hump the spare pillow.

The meaning of life, the universe, and everything.

For some reason, the answer always ends up being 42…

Work, usually.

@Eambos Don’t forget your towel.

I usually experience a crushing sense of impending doom.

When this happens, I have to get up and watch TV, eat something, read, Fluther – something to take my mind off it.

@johnpowell. Nice one. Lurve. :o)

Anything and everything! My mind is a never-ending stream of consciousness, drifting from one thought to the next. There is a logical progression to it, kind of like ‘free word association’, but I often zone out during it and zone back in completely unaware of how I arrived at what I’m thinking about. It befuddles me.

Does anyone know that old Bud Luckey cartoon for Sesame Street back in the day about proportions? Look at this. This is similar to what I’ll end up thinking about if I’m awake long enough.

It’s comforting and scary at the same time.

@aprilsimnel I had completely forgotten that animation. That’s kind of creepy.

I usually have a silly/stupid song running through my mind that won’t quit.

recently it’s been Hannah Montana’s songs, thanks to my daughter

What, lie awake? I read for 1/2 hour , turn out the light and always asleep within 5 to 10 seconds.

@Cardinal You are so lucky!

<< Jealous of Cardinal!

I try to read when Im not too tired so I can go to sleep easily. But when I dont, I just lie there and remember. I think about my life for the past six months… nice times and sad times…when Im done with that I start thinking about what I need to get done. When Im done with that I twist and turn.. and then I realize that its almost 3:00 am.
The only time I enjoy not sleeping is when Im thinking about someone i like… and I love it!!

I think about the fact that I am lying awake at night, thinking about the fact that I am lying awake at night…

@Jayne : Do you wonder ” why am I lying awake at night?”

I wonder “how can I stop lying awake at night”.

I wonder “how can I stop laying awake at night wondering why I am laying awake.”

I wonder “how can Eambos stop lying awake at night wondering why he’s laying awake at night.”

I wonder how allie can wonder about me wondering about why I’m laying awake at night, while lying awake at night.

I’m having trouble following this.

Don’t worry, you’ll get it if you just stay up all night and think about it.

hahahaha great answer jayne

What i think about is whether i will be able to use Centering Prayer or TM-type meditation to quiet my mind enough to be able to fall asleep. of course, even thinking about that is counterproductive in itself. :-(

Of course, “laying awake” is much more enjoyable, and lying in my sleep is impossible, so lying awake thinking about either of the other possibilities is a safe middle ground.

@johnpowell : not much thinking involved there!

@jayne : care to be more explicit about what you mean by “staying up”?

I sometimes still have nightmares about Vietnam, and usually get up and talk online when that happens. Sometimes I think about the home we’re rebuilding, what to do next, etc. Once in awhile I get to think about my wife and how much I love her; I generally snuggle her and tell her I love her, and she always tells me she loves me, even in her sleep. : )

@CaptainHarley Very good answer.

Thank you, Chyna! : )

I try and think of things from the past (usually my childhood) that I have not previously remembered. I am not very successful at this but have managed to dredge up a few lost treasures over time.

I wish I could tell you. Alot of rapidly changing images and memories, all very blurry and nonsensical.