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Nothing good comes after 2 AM, they say. Your mind works at a different wavelength during those wee hours, which sometimes leads to poor decisions. 

Much like shower thoughts, three am musings are random yet noteworthy. And if you were to create a visual for those thoughts, these memes would represent them perfectly. As you scroll through, you will find at least one or two that are spot-on for you. 

We collected these images from the 3AM Memes Facebook page. Enjoy reading and don’t forget to upvote those that catch your eye!

#1

Cat meme showing a white cat driving a car at night with a worried expression in the rearview mirror, 3 AM memes theme.

3AM MEMES Report

Zephyr343
Community Member
7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oddly feel the same way if I have to turn around in someone's driveway.

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    #3

    Dog sitting in a car looking awkward, paired with a meme about blocking an intersection and feeling stared at, wide awake at 3 AM.

    3AM MEMES Report

    UKGrandad
    Community Member
    24 minutes ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Just a thought, but maybe don't drive into the intersection if you don't have a clear exit.

    We’ve all been in a situation where the most creative, insightful ideas begin flowing while in bed. For some of us, it happens during the wee hours, around 2 or 3 am, while everyone around is soundly asleep.

    According to a 2017 journal published on Frontiers of Psychology, being in bed puts our bodies and minds in a relaxed state conducive to neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability reorganize itself through the formation of new neural connections.

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    The article notes that the brain’s creative functions are at their peak once you shut the lights off and your head hits the pillow. That, after an entire day of busywork responding to emails and socializing, your brain enters a freer state. 

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    And assuming you’re not scrolling through your phone, being in bed leads to boredom. Studies have shown that new ideas often emerge during those dull moments.

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    #9

    Person sitting at a table with food and drink looking at a screen late at night, 3 AM memes about being wide awake.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Mrs Irish Mom
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always have a program ready to go 5 minutes before my food is ready

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    Some ideas may even hit you as you’re about to doze off into slumber. This is known as the sleep onset, which, according to researcher Kathleen Esfahany, can manifest through dreaming. 

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    “When you are prompted to dream about a topic during sleep onset, you can have dream experiences that you can later use for these creative tasks, said Esfahany, who co-authored this 2023 study on dreaming and creative performance.

    #12

    Young woman laughing with spaghetti sauce stains on white shirt, related to 3 AM memes about being wide awake at 3 AM.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Mrs Irish Mom
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I always wear a dark top going out to eat because I get more on the top than I do in my mouth

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    You can compare the thoughts that race through your mind at 3 AM to the same musings you have while in the shower. You feel like your mind is at a different wavelength, where insight seems to be free-flowing. 

    Cognitive scientist Dr. Kalina Hadjiilieva describes it as a “pretty universal human experience.”  

    #13

    Meme featuring a wide-eyed animated mouse with the caption about overhearing mom's gossip at 3 AM.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Mrs Irish Mom
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My kid anytime there is gossip but if you call them they conviently can't hear a word you say

    #14

    Man wearing sunglasses and earbuds looking contemplative by the waterfront in a meme about being wide awake at 3 AM.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Unless its "my client is an orange orangutan....sir, please don't insult monkeys, they are more intelligent....yes, I understand he is the president and thinks he can do anything but we both know he is guilty. The moon you say? Musk and Bezos are going too????? Get NASA on the line....I have a recommendation for a slight change in destinations"

    #15

    Meme showing wide awake monkey in office attire reacting to being fired, fitting 3 AM memes about sleep struggles.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Moltar
    Community Member
    1 minute ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    lame...these suck. bp gone downhill

    Researchers have found that the brain’s default mode network becomes most active during moments when our mind wanders, as opposed to when we’re doing something that requires focus. 

    Psychological scientist Jonathan Schooler says allowing thoughts to playfully cross your mind puts the brain in a “pleasurable state,” leading to spontaneous ideas. 

    #20

    Meme of tired cartoon character with red eyes, illustrating struggle of being wide awake at 3 AM.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Mrs Irish Mom
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I would love to hold back my comments but my mouth runs quicker than my brain

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    #21

    Man in colorful shirt making a selfie pose with another man in bright jacket, relatable 3am memes for wide awake moments.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Felt embarrassed 20 years ago when "Do what you have to do" by Sarah McLachlan came on my super awesome mix CD (that was what I named it.) Took way too long to realize 1) Its a really good song and 2) don't really care what anyone else says. Fun part of getting older.

    #24

    Cat lying on a bed looking annoyed, humorous 3 AM memes about being wide awake and chatty in the morning.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Anything before 9am should be called "pre morning" and anyone that calls or expects anything before that time should be sent to the shadow realm

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    #25

    Angry pink cartoon character driving fast, illustrating wide awake 3 AM memes humor and restless energy.

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    Mrs Irish Mom
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nothing is the best thing to do when you get home

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    #26

    Person wrapped in a blanket, lying on a couch, representing memes for those wide awake at 3 AM.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Always sounds like a great idea when you promise to do it 3 days prior

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    #27

    Man in black sweatshirt and cap with arms outstretched, expressing frustration in a meme about being wide awake at 3 AM.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Mrs Irish Mom
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Look back at them with a weird smile and they wont look again

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    #30

    Man holding pencil to mouth with thoughtful expression in humorous 3 AM memes about being wide awake at night.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Back in the before times, I used to write answers to exams on my desk with an eraser, since you could only see it when viewing from a certain angle

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    #38

    Child hiding on top of kitchen cabinets in a 3AM meme illustrating the lengths kids go to win hide and seek at 3 AM.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Mrs Irish Mom
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hide and seek is a great way for a parent to get a few minutes peace between "searches"

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    #40

    Man sitting in a restaurant booth looking distracted, a relatable meme wide awake at 3 AM humor theme.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Mrs Irish Mom
    Community Member
    3 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My eyes light up so I could never pretend

    #43

    Social media meme about name mispronunciation with a woman looking annoyed, related to 3 AM memes.

    3AM MEMES Report

    My O My
    Community Member
    Premium
    4 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My whole life!!!! Maybe whenI finally visit New Zealand someone will get it right

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    #47

    Cartoon mouse looking tired in bed with phone, illustrating memes about being wide awake at 3 AM.

    3AM MEMES Report

    Zephyr343
    Community Member
    7 hours ago Created by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Circadian rhythm. I get up at 6 whether weekend or not.