Ramadan poses a unique challenge for those who struggle with sleep, like myself. While many people can easily drift back to sleep after waking up for sehri, I find myself wide awake as dawn breaks. The pre-dawn hours become a solitary time as my brain deems it morning, making it impossible to negotiate with my body’s internal clock.
The suhoor experience, where one ventures out in the early hours to eat, presents its own set of challenges. Despite my best efforts to avoid late-night outings, peer pressure sometimes wins out, leaving me full, disoriented, and wide awake upon returning home in the wee hours of the morning.
Ramadan serves as a reflection of my lifelong struggle with sleep rather than a disruptor. The broken patterns, erratic hours, and relentless wakefulness are not new to me. What’s different during Ramadan is the sense of communal solidarity as others also navigate the sleepless nights together.
For someone who doesn’t easily fall into a deep slumber, nights have always been a familiar territory. Instead of viewing sleep as a destination, I find myself residing at the fringes of wakefulness, embracing the stillness and solitude that envelop the city in the early hours. The quietness, the lighter air, and the unavailability of the world offer a sense of solace that keeps me awake until the dawn signals the arrival of a new day.