--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Can you remember when you didn't want to…" description: "\"Can you remember when you didn't want to sleep? Isn't it inconceivable? I guess the definition of adulthood is that you want to sleep.\" — Paula Poundstone" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/021/paula-poundstone-7706_adulthood_can-you-remember-when-you-didn-t-want-to_2043965.jpg" --- # Can you remember when you didn't want to sleep? Isn't it… ![“Can you remember when you didn't want to sleep? Isn't it inconceivable? I guess the definition of adulthood is that you want to sleep.” quote by Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/021/paula-poundstone-7706_adulthood_can-you-remember-when-you-didn-t-want-to_2043965.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/021/paula-poundstone-7706_adulthood_can-you-remember-when-you-didn-t-want-to_2043965.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/021/paula-poundstone-7706_adulthood_can-you-remember-when-you-didn-t-want-to_2043965.jpg) > “Can you remember when you didn't want to sleep? Isn't it inconceivable? I guess the definition of adulthood is that you want to sleep.” [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Adulthood is marked by a desire for sleep, contrasting childhood restlessness. **In simple terms:** Adults crave sleep more. Key Takeaway Prioritize rest. Themes adulthood sleep life stages Mood humorous observational Type comedic reflective When to use this quote - night shift work - parenting - college life - retirement planning Key Concepts biology psychology Questions to Reflect On - Why does sleep become appealing? - How does sleep affect productivity? A Different Perspective Sleep needs vary individually. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Adulthood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adulthood/) [Remember when](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/remember-when/) [Sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sleep/) [Want to sleep](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-to-sleep/) ## Related quotes > [The definition of adulthood is that you want to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/the-definition-of-adulthood-is-that-you-want-to-sleep/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [“Wasn’t that the definition of adulthood? That you wanted one thing, but did another because you knew what was right and good, and wanted…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-scott-card/wasn-t-that-the-definition-of-adulthood-that-you-wanted-one-thing-but/) [Orson Scott Card](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-scott-card/) > [I just want to sleep, and eat, and learn about what's going on in the world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/debra-winger/i-just-want-to-sleep-and-eat-and-learn-about-what-s-going-on-in-the/) [Debra Winger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/debra-winger/) > [I just want to sleep and exercise and travel for fun. And relax. It sounds so ordinary, but I haven't done it for 20 years.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-just-want-to-sleep-and-exercise-and-travel-for-fun-and-relax-it/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Like everyone else, I want to sleep with Leonardo DiCaprio.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-stewart/like-everyone-else-i-want-to-sleep-with-leonardo-dicaprio/) [Jon Stewart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-stewart/) > [I want to sleep for eternity with a broad smile on my face. I want those who remain behind to say this man has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/i-want-to-sleep-for-eternity-with-a-broad-smile-on-my-face-i-want/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [I only want to sleep . . . and never wake.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-grant/i-only-want-to-sleep-and-never-wake/) [Alan Grant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-grant/) > [I always want to sleep on the third date.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/blake-butler/i-always-want-to-sleep-on-the-third-date/) [Blake Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/blake-butler/) > [I hate dreaming because when you want to sleep, you want to sleep. Dreaming is work. Next thing you know, I have to build…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-hedberg/i-hate-dreaming-because-when-you-want-to-sleep-you-want-to-sleep/) [Mitch Hedberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-hedberg/) > [“Stupid. Why do people want to pretend that death is sleep? It isn’t. It isn’t”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/stupid-why-do-people-want-to-pretend-that-death-is-sleep-it-isn-t-it/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [The best thing we have is sleep, of course, and what is sleep except the putting aside of everything tentative for another interval of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-saroyan/the-best-thing-we-have-is-sleep-of-course-and-what-is-sleep-except/) [William Saroyan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-saroyan/) > [Sleep isn't cutting it for me anymore I need something stronger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikhil-saluja/sleep-isn-t-cutting-it-for-me-anymore-i-need-something-stronger/) [Nikhil Saluja](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikhil-saluja/) > [Why do people want to pretend that death is sleep? It isn't. It isn't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/veronica-roth/why-do-people-want-to-pretend-that-death-is-sleep-it-isn-t-it-isn-t/) [Veronica Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/veronica-roth/) > [Never lose sleep over something that isn̢¢t worth staying awake for.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ritu-ghatourey/never-lose-sleep-over-something-that-isn-t-worth-staying-awake-for/) [Ritu Ghatourey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ritu-ghatourey/) > [I love to sleep. Do you? Isn't it great? It really is the best of both worlds. You get to be alive and unconscious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rita-rudner/i-love-to-sleep-do-you-isn-t-it-great-it-really-is-the-best-of-both/) [Rita Rudner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rita-rudner/) ## More by Paula Poundstone > [You know, in politics when you come in third, it's a win.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/you-know-in-politics-when-you-come-in-third-it-s-a-win/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [The problem with cats is that they get the same exact look whether they see a moth or an ax-murderer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/the-problem-with-cats-is-that-they-get-the-same-exact-look-whether/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I don't need a holiday or a feast to feel grateful for my children, the sun, the moon, the roof over my head, music,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/i-don-t-need-a-holiday-or-a-feast-to-feel-grateful-for-my-children/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [There are really only so many foods and so many ways you can prepare them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/there-are-really-only-so-many-foods-and-so-many-ways-you-can-prepare/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I like to work on New Year's Eve. It has a nice spirit; a nice feel about it. If you are all about the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/i-like-to-work-on-new-year-s-eve-it-has-a-nice-spirit-a-nice-feel/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I hate it when my hair is engaged in unauthorized activities.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/i-hate-it-when-my-hair-is-engaged-in-unauthorized-activities/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [“Deep-rooted happiness may require a sense of purpose. If I don't feel that I am in some small way contributing to the greater good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/deep-rooted-happiness-may-require-a-sense-of-purpose-if-i-don-t-feel/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [The wages of sin are death, but by the time taxes are taken out, it's just sort of a tired feeling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/the-wages-of-sin-are-death-but-by-the-time-taxes-are-taken-out-it-s/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I did auditions at a club called the Comedy Connection. They wanted nothing to do with me. But one night they were doing a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/i-did-auditions-at-a-club-called-the-comedy-connection-they-wanted/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I can make things, but I don't cook them, exactly. Like salmon, I can stick that in a pan. Or the other day I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/i-can-make-things-but-i-don-t-cook-them-exactly-like-salmon-i-can/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I've always thought that if my death was imminent, I would read. When I can't focus on a book, I tend to keep reading…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/i-ve-always-thought-that-if-my-death-was-imminent-i-would-read-when-i/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I know a little bit about handicapping. If the horse has an IV, you want to stay - away from it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/i-know-a-little-bit-about-handicapping-if-the-horse-has-an-iv-you/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I only do two things in my life, and that's take care of my kids and work. Fortunately, these are my favorite things to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/i-only-do-two-things-in-my-life-and-that-s-take-care-of-my-kids-and/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [I was born in Alabama, but I only lived there for a month before I'd done everything there was to do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/i-was-born-in-alabama-but-i-only-lived-there-for-a-month-before-i-d/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) > [The definition of adulthood is that you want to sleep.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paula-poundstone/the-definition-of-adulthood-is-that-you-want-to-sleep/) [Paula Poundstone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) [Explore all 88 Paula Poundstone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paula-poundstone/) ## More Adulthood quotes > [Age is an accumulation of life and loss. Adulthood is a series of lines crossed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ellen-goodman/age-is-an-accumulation-of-life-and-loss-adulthood-is-a-series-of/) [Ellen Goodman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ellen-goodman/) > [People often say that you should never work with child actors. I think that's all wrong. Children have not had the imagination kicked out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicolas-cage/people-often-say-that-you-should-never-work-with-child-actors-i-think/) [Nicolas Cage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicolas-cage/) > [Two things suck about becoming an adult male - paying taxes and getting a finger in your butt.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guy-code/two-things-suck-about-becoming-an-adult-male-paying-taxes-and-getting/) Guy Code > [You can only pretend for so long before reality hits and you realize he/she is not who you thought or what you truly want.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhishek-tiwari/you-can-only-pretend-for-so-long-before-reality-hits-and-you-realize/) [Abhishek Tiwari](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhishek-tiwari/) > [If I were entering adulthood now instead of in the environment of fifty years ago, I would choose a career that kept me in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/charles-lindbergh/if-i-were-entering-adulthood-now-instead-of-in-the-environment-of/) [Charles Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/charles-lindbergh/) > [“English: "Being an adult doesn't mean killing the child we once were; it means being able to protect him." Česky: „Být dospělým neznamená zabít…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sebasti-n-wortys/english-being-an-adult-doesn-t-mean-killing-the-child-we-once-were-it/) [Sebastián Wortys](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sebasti-n-wortys/) > [“I wondered what a man I had encountered the day before on the plane en route to Chicago's O'Hare airport would have made of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-moss/i-wondered-what-a-man-i-had-encountered-the-day-before-on-the-plane/) [Robert Moss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-moss/) > [“Sometimes your kids will say the nastiest things, won't they, Rose? You want to ask,'Whose child is this?'" Rose chuckled. "But usually, they're just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mitch-albom/sometimes-your-kids-will-say-the-nastiest-things-won-t-they-rose-you/) [Mitch Albom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mitch-albom/) > [No one, it has been said, will ever look at the Moon in the same way again. More significantly can one say that no…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-morrow-lindbergh/no-one-it-has-been-said-will-ever-look-at-the-moon-in-the-same-way/) [Anne Morrow Lindbergh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-morrow-lindbergh/) > [Being an adult is the ability to postpone a want for the sake of a family need.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-hogan/being-an-adult-is-the-ability-to-postpone-a-want-for-the-sake-of-a/) [Chris Hogan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chris-hogan/) > [“one Secret of Adulthood is “Never start a sentence with the words ‘No offense’”? “And”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gretchen-rubin/one-secret-of-adulthood-is-never-start-a-sentence-with-the-words-no/) [Gretchen Rubin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gretchen-rubin/) > [In their youth, mortals behave more like nymphs. Adulthood seems impossibly distant, let alone the enfeeblement of old age. But ponderously, inevitably, it overtakes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brandon-mull/in-their-youth-mortals-behave-more-like-nymphs-adulthood-seems/) [Brandon Mull](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brandon-mull/) > [Public schools were designed as the great equalizers of our society - the place where all children could have access to educational opportunities to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janet-napolitano/public-schools-were-designed-as-the-great-equalizers-of-our-society/) [Janet Napolitano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janet-napolitano/) > [“Yet GenX'er teens didn't slow down--they were just as likely to drive, drink alcohol, and date as their Boomer peers and more likely to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-m-twenge/yet-genx-er-teens-didn-t-slow-down-they-were-just-as-likely-to-drive/) [Jean M. Twenge](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-m-twenge/) > [“The entrepreneurs are only about my age, probably younger, but they don't seem so. Their tailored clothes and unbending hairdos, their clipboards and laser…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sara-baume/the-entrepreneurs-are-only-about-my-age-probably-younger-but-they-don/) [Sara Baume](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sara-baume/) [Browse all 651 Adulthood quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/adulthood/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Can you remember when you didn't want to sleep? Isn't it inconceivable? 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