Infinite Loop

There was a time when I couldn't tell if I was dreaming or awake, and this is a story about that. After becoming a working adult and starting night shifts, there are times when your sense of dates and time becomes vague. Suddenly, I'd wake up to a subtle feeling, neither bright nor dark. Trying to check my phone to determine if it was evening or morning, my body wouldn't move. 'Whoa, sleep paralysis?' I'd think, struggling to move my body, and when I finally managed to move my hand towards my face with my phone, the screen was gray. 'Did the power go out?' I'd curse inwardly, but the charger was plugged in. As I held the power button to turn it on, I'd suddenly snap back to reality, finding myself lying on my back again. Trying to check my phone, the screen was still gray. Looking around the room to check the time, it was dim but bright enough to make out the furniture. Just as I thought I found the clock, I'd snap back again. 'Is this a dream?' I'd start to wonder, repeatedly checking my phone and looking for the clock. After a few times, this time I'd snap back to reality with a start from the brightness. It seemed my mother had come to wake me up for dinner, turning on the light. I wonder if one experiences the sensation of waking up multiple times within a dream?...