One.
Yesterday, I cleaned the entire house more thoroughly than usual. It felt like a superpower had taken over me. The satisfaction of a spotless home was invigorating.
Two.
I indulged in some reading. I impulsively subscribed to Granta, a literary magazine, and devoured a short story. Then, I started another book. My productivity levels were soaring.
Three.
However, thoughts of death plagued me, turning me into an insomniac. I woke up in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. I performed two rakaat prayers, feeling like it might be my last day on Earth. Is it really worth having superpowers if they come with a cloud of dark thoughts?
Pros and Cons.
One and two were the highs. Three was the inevitable low.
Four.
Writing this down the morning after was probably another residual effect, along with an unusually early shower, which never happens in my usual morning routine.
Who’s the devil?
The devil was the cup of coffee I had at work before heading home. Coffee, which I had quit many months ago. This wasn’t a special, exotic blend with a hefty price tag. It was just a cup from the free-flow vending machine at the office pantry, probably Nescafe or a kopi kampung premix that cost less than 2.50 MYR.
Now I know, whenever I need to boost my productivity and am ready to face thoughts of death before bed, I should turn to that cup of coffee.
Leave a Reply