--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I’m not going to be able to sleep a wink…" description: "\"“I’m not going to be able to sleep a wink tonight. I hate shelters. People coughing and snoring and hacking up who-knows-what. It’s a nightmare. But I ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/273/wendelin-van-draanen-3327_shelters_i-m-not-going-to-be-able-to-sleep-a-wink_1075072.png" --- # I’m not going to be able to sleep a wink tonight. I hate… ![“I’m not going to be able to sleep a wink tonight. I hate shelters. People coughing and snoring and hacking up who-knows-what. It’s a nightmare. But I do have clean teeth.” quote by Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/273/wendelin-van-draanen-3327_shelters_i-m-not-going-to-be-able-to-sleep-a-wink_1075072.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/273/wendelin-van-draanen-3327_shelters_i-m-not-going-to-be-able-to-sleep-a-wink_1075072.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/273/wendelin-van-draanen-3327_shelters_i-m-not-going-to-be-able-to-sleep-a-wink_1075072.png) > ““I’m not going to be able to sleep a wink tonight. I hate shelters. People coughing and snoring and hacking up who-knows-what. It’s a nightmare. But I do have clean teeth.”” [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The narrator describes sleeplessness in a chaotic shelter, juxtaposing horror with a mundane detail about clean teeth. **In simple terms:** Shelter life is chaotic, yet small comforts matter. Key Takeaway Find small comforts in stressful situations. Themes war shelter anxiety comfort Mood tense hopeful Type survival psychological When to use this quote - refugee camps - disaster response - mental health coping Key Concepts psychology contrast survival Questions to Reflect On - How do small comforts affect resilience? - What coping mechanisms help in crisis? A Different Perspective Focus on minor comforts may distract from addressing larger issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Shelters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelters/) ## Related quotes > [There are far too many children in America in need of a loving home who are shuttled between temporary homes and group shelters that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-musgrove/there-are-far-too-many-children-in-america-in-need-of-a-loving-home/) [Ronnie Musgrove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-musgrove/) > [Shelters, conservationists, those concerned about unnecessary cruelty toward the animals we eat, and people working against species extinction fight to preserve the true riches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/april-gornik/shelters-conservationists-those-concerned-about-unnecessary-cruelty/) [April Gornik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/april-gornik/) > [We are prophetic interrogators. Why are so many people hungry? Why are so many people and families in our shelters? Why do we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-wallis/we-are-prophetic-interrogators-why-are-so-many-people-hungry-why-are/) [Jim Wallis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-wallis/) > [I do have a place in my heart for animal shelters because the job they have is impossible - so many animals that need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-nealon/i-do-have-a-place-in-my-heart-for-animal-shelters-because-the-job/) [Kevin Nealon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-nealon/) > [Since Mia, my eldest, was born, we've been through the gamut of shelters, transitional housing and even living in a camper in a driveway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/since-mia-my-eldest-was-born-we-ve-been-through-the-gamut-of-shelters/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [It just kills me when people buy a dog when there are dogs in shelters. I still get emotional when I think of Karl…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/it-just-kills-me-when-people-buy-a-dog-when-there-are-dogs-in/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [There are so many dogs out there that need homes, and so many awesome dogs who are stuck in shelters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-maxwell/there-are-so-many-dogs-out-there-that-need-homes-and-so-many-awesome/) [Stella Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-maxwell/) > [If every animal shelter in the United States embraced the No Kill philosophy and the programs and services that make it possible, we would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-winograd/if-every-animal-shelter-in-the-united-states-embraced-the-no-kill/) [Nathan Winograd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-winograd/) > [My mother died of ovarian cancer; I support organizations that raise awareness of this silent killer. Women's shelters - Jenesse Center in L.A. and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-taylor/my-mother-died-of-ovarian-cancer-i-support-organizations-that-raise/) [Regina Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-taylor/) > [One had to build shelters. One had to make pockets and live inside them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/one-had-to-build-shelters-one-had-to-make-pockets-and-live-inside-them/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [I am a big proponent of adopting dogs through shelters and rescue operations. Having dogs in the office might not be right for everyone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-sanchez/i-am-a-big-proponent-of-adopting-dogs-through-shelters-and-rescue/) [Linda Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-sanchez/) > [Parents have railed against shelters near schools, but no one has made any connection between the crazed consumerism of our kids and their elders'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/parents-have-railed-against-shelters-near-schools-but-no-one-has-made/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [Spay or neuter your dog or cat so our shelters don't fill at inexorable rates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-shuster/spay-or-neuter-your-dog-or-cat-so-our-shelters-don-t-fill-at/) [Suzy Shuster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-shuster/) > [“According to the official numbers, shelters take in somewhere between six million and eight million dogs and cats every year and euthanize about half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/according-to-the-official-numbers-shelters-take-in-somewhere-between/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [I am a pet person. My dog actually lives in Georgia now. But I work with animal trainers and pets quite often. I also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-stoner/i-am-a-pet-person-my-dog-actually-lives-in-georgia-now-but-i-work/) [Alyson Stoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-stoner/) ## More by Wendelin Van Draanen > [“Maybe it came from whacking at two-by-fours and dreaming about perpetual motion. I don't know. All I know is that compared to her, Shelly…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/maybe-it-came-from-whacking-at-two-by-fours-and-dreaming-about/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [I’ve flown kites before and I know – sometimes they’re gone forever, and sometimes they’re just waiting in the middle of the road for…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/i-ve-flown-kites-before-and-i-know-sometimes-they-re-gone-forever-and/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [“Every once in a while you find someone who is iridescent, and when you do, nothing will ever compare.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/every-once-in-a-while-you-find-someone-who-is-iridescent-and-when-you/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [“I also finally see that a crimson kiss isn't something you can chase, because it's more than just the passionate meeting of mouths. It's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/i-also-finally-see-that-a-crimson-kiss-isn-t-something-you-can-chase/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [I'll ride my bike all the stinkin' way to school for the rest of eternity if it means being with her. -Bryce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/i-ll-ride-my-bike-all-the-stinkin-way-to-school-for-the-rest-of/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [It’s funny to hear priests and nuns argue with each other.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/it-s-funny-to-hear-priests-and-nuns-argue-with-each-other/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [I had Flipped. -Bryce Loski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/i-had-flipped-bryce-loski/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [“And then she started climbing/ The girl is in the seventh grade, and she's climbing a tree--way, way up in the tree. And why…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/and-then-she-started-climbing-the-girl-is-in-the-seventh-grade-and/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [“At first we tried to keep up, but soon we were tired of boiling and pickling and deviling, and my mother started complaining that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/at-first-we-tried-to-keep-up-but-soon-we-were-tired-of-boiling-and/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [I operate under the assumption that people don't notice the good in me. That's just how things always seem to play out. I get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/i-operate-under-the-assumption-that-people-don-t-notice-the-good-in/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [A million dollars sounds like a lot, I know. Especially when youre young. But you cant let money erode your principles or youll wind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/a-million-dollars-sounds-like-a-lot-i-know-especially-when-youre/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [“Anger is a fuel that can only carry you so far.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/anger-is-a-fuel-that-can-only-carry-you-so-far/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [“Somehow the silence seemed to connect us in a way like words never could.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/somehow-the-silence-seemed-to-connect-us-in-a-way-like-words-never/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [Part of my motivation for writing mysteries for young people is that I loved mysteries when I was growing up, and now that I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/part-of-my-motivation-for-writing-mysteries-for-young-people-is-that/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) > [I believe in the paramount importance of entertainment, but I have something to say.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wendelin-van-draanen/i-believe-in-the-paramount-importance-of-entertainment-but-i-have/) [Wendelin Van Draanen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) [Explore all 131 Wendelin Van Draanen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wendelin-van-draanen/) ## More Shelters quotes > [There are far too many children in America in need of a loving home who are shuttled between temporary homes and group shelters that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ronnie-musgrove/there-are-far-too-many-children-in-america-in-need-of-a-loving-home/) [Ronnie Musgrove](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ronnie-musgrove/) > [“According to the official numbers, shelters take in somewhere between six million and eight million dogs and cats every year and euthanize about half…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-kotler/according-to-the-official-numbers-shelters-take-in-somewhere-between/) [Steven Kotler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-kotler/) > [Spay or neuter your dog or cat so our shelters don't fill at inexorable rates.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-shuster/spay-or-neuter-your-dog-or-cat-so-our-shelters-don-t-fill-at/) [Suzy Shuster](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-shuster/) > [Parents have railed against shelters near schools, but no one has made any connection between the crazed consumerism of our kids and their elders'…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anna-quindlen/parents-have-railed-against-shelters-near-schools-but-no-one-has-made/) [Anna Quindlen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anna-quindlen/) > [I am a big proponent of adopting dogs through shelters and rescue operations. Having dogs in the office might not be right for everyone,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/linda-sanchez/i-am-a-big-proponent-of-adopting-dogs-through-shelters-and-rescue/) [Linda Sanchez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/linda-sanchez/) > [One had to build shelters. One had to make pockets and live inside them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorrie-moore/one-had-to-build-shelters-one-had-to-make-pockets-and-live-inside-them/) [Lorrie Moore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorrie-moore/) > [My mother died of ovarian cancer; I support organizations that raise awareness of this silent killer. Women's shelters - Jenesse Center in L.A. and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/regina-taylor/my-mother-died-of-ovarian-cancer-i-support-organizations-that-raise/) [Regina Taylor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/regina-taylor/) > [If every animal shelter in the United States embraced the No Kill philosophy and the programs and services that make it possible, we would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-winograd/if-every-animal-shelter-in-the-united-states-embraced-the-no-kill/) [Nathan Winograd](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nathan-winograd/) > [There are so many dogs out there that need homes, and so many awesome dogs who are stuck in shelters.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stella-maxwell/there-are-so-many-dogs-out-there-that-need-homes-and-so-many-awesome/) [Stella Maxwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stella-maxwell/) > [It just kills me when people buy a dog when there are dogs in shelters. I still get emotional when I think of Karl…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bob-harper/it-just-kills-me-when-people-buy-a-dog-when-there-are-dogs-in/) [Bob Harper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bob-harper/) > [Since Mia, my eldest, was born, we've been through the gamut of shelters, transitional housing and even living in a camper in a driveway.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephanie-land/since-mia-my-eldest-was-born-we-ve-been-through-the-gamut-of-shelters/) [Stephanie Land](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephanie-land/) > [I do have a place in my heart for animal shelters because the job they have is impossible - so many animals that need…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kevin-nealon/i-do-have-a-place-in-my-heart-for-animal-shelters-because-the-job/) [Kevin Nealon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kevin-nealon/) > [We are prophetic interrogators. Why are so many people hungry? Why are so many people and families in our shelters? Why do we have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jim-wallis/we-are-prophetic-interrogators-why-are-so-many-people-hungry-why-are/) [Jim Wallis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jim-wallis/) > [Shelters, conservationists, those concerned about unnecessary cruelty toward the animals we eat, and people working against species extinction fight to preserve the true riches…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/april-gornik/shelters-conservationists-those-concerned-about-unnecessary-cruelty/) [April Gornik](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/april-gornik/) > [I am a pet person. My dog actually lives in Georgia now. But I work with animal trainers and pets quite often. I also…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyson-stoner/i-am-a-pet-person-my-dog-actually-lives-in-georgia-now-but-i-work/) [Alyson Stoner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyson-stoner/) [Browse all 28 Shelters quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelters/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I’m not going to be able to sleep a wink tonight. I hate shelters. People coughing and snoring and hacking up who-knows-what. It’s a nightmare. 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