The Charm of Watching Someone Sleep

There’s something oddly fascinating about watching people sleep, especially after a long, exhausting day. It’s one of those moments that catches you by surprise—where even the most ordinary setting becomes the stage for something unexpectedly heartwarming.

A few days ago, I went to the IEDC Summit 2024 with my team, and by the end of it, we were all pretty beat. We’d traveled by train to Kozhikode, found a room to crash in, and after the summit, the bus ride back was nothing short of terrific, but not in the "wow" kind of way. This was more like the "tired to the bone" kind of terrific, and here’s why: the driver was constantly slamming the brakes right after hitting top speed, only to jolt forward again as if he was playing some kind of simulation game. Even the boldest of grandpas wouldn’t have handled the brakes like this, and not even in GTA have I ever driven anything like it—nor would I want to. The ride was hectic, and after all those thrusts and brakes, it felt like the tiredness seeped right into our bones, making our bodies feel like they each weighed a ton.

When we got back, I wasn’t quite in the mood to sleep yet. Maybe it was the leftover adrenaline from the bus ride, or just that wired, overtired feeling that keeps your brain running when all it really wants is to rest. I let the others take over the sleeping arrangement, deciding to stay up a bit longer. And as they started drifting off one by one, I had this thought pop up—why was I the only one not feeling that heavy pull of sleep? Here I was, wide awake, while my roommates had already disappeared into their dreams

It wasn’t long before I found myself just sitting there, noticing my teammates as they drifted off one by one. The room was dim, the kind of soft light that makes everything feel slower. And as I sat there, watching them, a thought hit me: How cute are they, really? I couldn’t help but keep looking, drawn in by their peaceful, innocent faces—so free from any stress or care, like they’d left all their worries behind. It was like seeing a bunch of kids after a long day of play, completely knocked out and without a single worry in the world.

There was something so innocent about it all. The eldest of the group, who’s usually so serious and composed, was the cutest of all in that moment. The way he slept, his face so relaxed, reminded me of a child completely free of any worries. It was one of those "aww" moments that just sneaks up on you—a moment where the exhaustion of the day fades into the background, and all you feel is this strange sense of peace.

It’s funny, isn’t it? How sleep has this magical way of making even the most mature among us look vulnerable and carefree. You can’t help but smile watching them in their pure, unguarded state—completely lost to the world, without a care in the moment.

Maybe that’s the real beauty of it. In a world where we’re constantly on the move, carrying our stress and responsibilities around like heavy backpacks, sleep gives us permission to let go. And when you’re lucky enough to witness it in someone else, it’s a reminder that we’re all just human in the end, needing those small, quiet moments of rest.

So there I was, tired but not ready to sleep, watching them snooze away, and all I could think was how strangely comforting it is to see people in their most peaceful state. It’s those little moments that make life a bit sweeter, don’t you think?