I’d Rather Be Sleeping: A Mood, A Mug, and a Movement
I’d rather be sleeping. There—I said it. Bold of me to admit in public, right? But let’s be honest: how many times a day do you think it without saying it out loud? On Zoom calls. In line at the grocery store. During small talk about weather patterns or what Gary from accounting had for lunch. Yep—I’d rather be sleeping is not just a mood, it’s a lifestyle.
And now, thanks to one perfect mug, it’s also my aesthetic.
Short on time? Jump to the TL;DR
Where Did “I’d Rather Be Sleeping” Even Come From?
Look, I’m not claiming to have invented the phrase (though I should get royalties for how often I mumble it). The line has been floating around online for years—scrawled on Tumblr posts, whispered by exhausted students, and yes, even sung by Grouper in the hauntingly beautiful track Heavy Water/I’d Rather Be Sleeping.
But while the song dives into emotional depths I can only swim in with a floatie, I like to think the phrase has evolved into something bigger—something... caffeinated.
The Universal Cry of the Overstimulated
Let’s face it: we live in a world that applauds being busy. Hustle culture tells us to rise and grind. Capitalism insists productivity equals worth. Neurotypical expectations? Exhausting. As someone who exists somewhere between “neurodivergent and thriving” and “please stop talking to me before 10 a.m.,” I find this constant push to do more absolutely bonkers.
I mean, what happened to rest? Daydreaming? Naps that turn into existential portals?
This is where I’d Rather Be Sleeping comes in—not just as a catchphrase, but as a gentle protest. A sleepy-eyed declaration that rest is resistance. That taking a break doesn’t make you lazy. It makes you human.
Introducing: The “I’d Rather Be Sleeping” Mug ☕
Okay, enough philosophizing. Let’s talk mugs.
Behold the I’d Rather Be Sleeping Elegant Mug:
Ceramic. Sleek. And 100% judgmental in the best way. This mug says what I’m too polite (or tired) to say out loud during my 9 a.m. meeting: I do not want to be here. I want to be in bed. With coffee. Preferably in this mug.
It’s the perfect gift for your overworked friend, your introverted cousin, your burnout-ridden coworker—or, let’s be real, yourself.
Just imagine sipping your morning tea while making intense eye contact with someone who thinks you care about Q3 projections. Iconic.
More I’d Rather Be Sleeping Mood Merch? Yes, Please.
What started as a mug is rapidly becoming a mini movement. Stay tuned—we’re dreaming (pun fully intended) about adding t-shirts, stickers, maybe even a satin sleep mask if we’re feeling extra.
Until then, you can browse more of our neurodivergent accessories and everything else that speaks fluent exhaustion, quiet rebellion, and radical self-acceptance.
Because around here, we don’t glamorize burnout—we glamorize boundaries.
😴 TL;DR? Here’s the Vibe:
- 💤 I’d Rather Be Sleeping is the rallying cry for the overstimulated, over-scheduled, and done-with-this-meeting crowd.
- ☕ The mug says what your face already does—without needing coffee first.
- 🛌 This is about reclaiming rest and resisting hustle culture (with style).
- 💬 Join the movement, one nap at a time. Or don’t. Honestly, do whatever’s restful for you.
My Last Thoughts Before a Restful Nap
If you’ve ever whispered “I’d rather be sleeping” under your breath while forcing a smile, welcome. You’re my people.
This isn’t just about coffee mugs or catchy slogans. It’s about giving ourselves permission to rest, to retreat, to honor our mental health—even when the world wants us caffeinated and compliant.
So go ahead—make yourself a warm drink, wrap yourself in a blanket, and repeat after me:
I’d rather be sleeping.
(And then maybe take that nap. You’ve earned it.)
Brendan McDonald
Brendan McDonald, author of "I’d Rather Be Sleeping: A Mood, A Mug, and a Movement," is a writer and former humanitarian aid worker with lived experience of cancer, mental illness, and chronic illness. Diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), peripheral neuropathy, and bicuspid aortic valve disease (BAVD), he has been unable to work full-time since 2017. After experiencing burnout and clinical depression following his work in crisis zones—including Kosovo, North Korea, Sri Lanka, Libya, Jordan, and Iraq —he became a lifelong advocate for mental health and wellness.
Brendan holds a Bachelor of Professional Studies and a Master of Social Science. His writing focuses on cancer, mental illness, chronic illness, diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice, and human resources. His work, including a Guardian-published article on aid worker mental health, has helped drive awareness and advocacy for well-being in the humanitarian sector and beyond.
