In Haruki Murakami's novel "After Dark," the protagonist expresses a deep longing for a return to a past life filled with familiarity and comfort. This desire highlights themes of nostalgia and the struggle to cope with the present, emphasizing the contrast between the richness of past experiences and the complexity of current situations.

The quote "If only I could fall sound asleep and wake up in my old reality!" captures a wish for escape from the challenges of the present. It reflects a universal yearning for the simplicity of earlier times, illustrating how people often grapple with change and the passage of time.