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Why Being a Couche-Tard is My Superpower (And Maybe Yours Too) Okay, real talk: are you one of those people who just can't seem to fall asleep before midnight? Maybe your brain starts buzzing with ideas right when the world goes quiet, or you just get this weird burst of energy at 11pm. If that sounds familiar, congrats — you’re part of the couche-tard club. Yes, that’s a fancy French word for “night owl,” and honestly, I wear the badge with pride. The Night Is My Playground I always found early mornings overrated. There, I said it! All those “rise and grind” posts with sunrise yoga and green smoothies? Not for me. My most creative thoughts, the best playlist discoveries, and even my weirdest snack combos (hello, popcorn with honey and chili powder, don’t knock it till you try it) all happen after 10pm. There’s a special kind of magic when the world gets quiet. The streets outside my window slow down, the group chats go silent, and suddenly my mind feels free. It’s just me, my laptop, a cozy blanket, and the soft hum of the city in the background. I’ve written my best essays at 2am, planned spontaneous trips at 1:30, and had some of my most honest heart-to-hearts with friends somewhere between midnight and sunrise. There’s a reason so many great ideas start as late-night notes in your phone, right? Of course, being a couche-tard has its downsides. Morning meetings are brutal. I’ve perfected the art of looking awake on Zoom while my soul is still curled up in bed. Breakfast? More like “coffee and a prayer.” And don’t even get me started on those people who text “rise and shine!” at 7am… we’re not the same species. Why I Embrace My Inner Night Owl There’s actually some science backing us up. Some people’s bodies are just wired to be more alert at night. It’s not laziness or procrastination — it’s biology! Plus, the night has a vibe that you just can’t get during the day. The pressure’s off, the noise dies down, and suddenly it’s like the world belongs to you and a handful of other night wanderers. I’ve learned to stop fighting my natural rhythms and instead build my routines around them. I do my hardest work late, but that means I carve out my “me time” during slower mornings. I don’t force myself to be an early bird just because it’s trendy. Once I accepted that, life actually got a whole lot better. I also realized there’s a whole community of couche-tards out there. We’re the people sharing memes at 2am, the ones who’ll reply to your story when the rest of the world is asleep, and the ones who actually enjoy the quiet, lonely hours. There’s a solidarity in being awake when most people aren’t — like we’re in on a secret, private party. A Few Late-Night Rituals Midnight playlists that hit different. (You know the vibe — chill beats, a little nostalgia, maybe some lo-fi in the background.) Weird food experiments. I once made pancakes at 1am just because I could. Zero regrets. Random deep dives on Wikipedia. One minute I’m looking up movie trivia, next I’m reading about ancient Rome. It’s a journey. Sending supportive DMs to friends in different time zones. Night owls make the best long-distance friends, trust me. My Message to Fellow Couche-Tards I used to feel guilty about my late nights, especially with all the “early bird gets the worm” talk out there. But honestly? The night is full of potential — to create, to reflect, to just be. So if you’re reading this at some ridiculous hour, know that you’re not alone. Embrace your inner couche-tard. Find what makes your nights special and own it. The world needs night owls just as much as it needs early risers. To all my fellow couche-tards: what’s your favorite thing to do after midnight? Drop your stories below! Let’s celebrate the magic of late nights together.