Lately, I’ve noticed an interesting switch in my personality, much like an on and off light switch. I noticed this change very early on but am now experiencing it stronger than ever. My personality is different at night than during the day. I can only explain it as ‘night fever,’ cue the Bee Gees and Tony Manero strutting on a disco dance floor.

But when the sun is out and the hours are normal, I am my usual reserved, shy self. I wake up, think normal thoughts, go about my day, and try to be as visible as I feel like, some days are more than others. Then when the sun goes down and the flashing lights of neon signs and the hussle of night goers hums throughout the city, something comes over me, I feel alive. I’m more confident in myself and feel as though I could talk to anyone and be extremely charming, trying new things doesn’t seem as frightening or impossible and the world seems more open and accepting.

The air is different, It’s inviting. The feeling that anyone is welcome and free to do whatever they want without consequences glows in the darkness as the night seems to last forever. But why is this the effect of the night? Is this some daylight-curse werewolf effect that transforms us all into more interesting people?

I asked family, friends, and an online feed whether their personality differed from day to night and I discovered something. Yes, most people feel as though the night is a more mysterious place where they can explore and be themselves in a better way. The feelings of life, adventure, and courage is awoken at night and carries through until day. Although my theories of the night seemed to reflect everyone, there were people who disagreed. And not to my surprise, they were the older group of people I had asked.

Not exceedingly older, but in the upper twenties to thirty years of age, most of them didn’t feel the same personality switch as a lot of the eighteen to early twenty year olds felt. I can imagine that the responsibilities of the older adults must weigh down and by the days end, they’re more tired than anything. While sweet, fresh-faced young adults have the ability to drain the night of energy. Therefore ‘night fever’ resides in the youth, or the youthfully minded.

Now this isn’t to say ‘night fever’ is reserved for partying, drinking, and whatever else you might think of. No, ‘night fever’ strikes inside and out. Just because I’m not walking along the busy streets at night, doesn’t mean I feel any less daring and animated sitting inside on my laptop. It’s feeling as though nothing can hurt you, nothing is off limits and you dominate your life on this world. All of this, because the stars took the sun’s place.

Honestly, I love the feeling of ‘night fever.’ It’s exciting and interesting to see who I become when everyone else is fast asleep. And although I love my fearless demeanor, I’m not upset that it resides in the night. I’d love to have that easy-going attitude throughout the morning, but knowing that I can fill my day with productivity and fool around at night, doesn’t seem to be a bad trade.

At the end of the day, in the sunless sky, my mind wakes up to unearth thrilling possibilities. It’s the same with all minds who thrive in the dark hours of the night, we push past ordinary and become who we really are, and it’s a feeling to hold on to. So as the Bee Gees so perfectly sang in “Night Fever,” I got fire in my mind. I got higher in my walkin'. And I'm glowin' in the dark; I give you warnin'.