Yes, my dear old friend Insomnia is in town again.

Unlike last year, this sleeplessness wave seems to stem from allergy medication. I’ve had severe pollen allergies since I was a kid and America’s balmy temperatures this spring pushed my symptoms to the max. Side note: Can someone please do something about climate change? I’m glad I haven’t been traumatized this time around, but it still sucks that I cannot stay asleep more than four hours a night.

I attempted to turn in for the night at 9pm, but things went awry when my nasal passages got irritated around 1am. I could tell the inside of my nose was swollen and I was fighting the urge to sneeze while still partially conscious. I sniffled repeatedly for what felt like an hour because I was determined to stay asleep. Eventually, I caved and sat up in bed. It didn’t immediately register that the 180mg Allegra tablet I popped before bed was the culprit, so I figured I needed to relax my mind by drawing.

In recent weeks, I’ve been practicing art therapy to help me unwind and process some of my subconscious emotions about grief and life’s general woes. I use SketchBook Pro to create my artwork, as it is affordable and easy to learn. With a stylus, the app and my computer, I can simulate physical sketches and paintings. Although my skill level hasn’t progressed to a point where the digital art is indistinguishable from canvas and paper, I still benefit. When I draw, my mind is free to roam and my soul is free to vent. I don’t push myself to make things perfect because flaws are beautiful. My only concern is to express trapped emotions.

Once I finished drawing, I hopped out of bed to get a box of tissues. I miss the days when Mom would let me stay home from school because my eyes were crusted and swollen shut from overnight allergy flares. As an adult, I just have a cup of coffee, push myself to the office, and express my hatred for tree reproduction through pictures.