(Haha, just wrote out a reply that wandered waaaay left field, so deleted and will try again...)
Dunno. Like you, Anika, I think it's a continuum of increasing intensity. So where are the demarcation lines? A lot of them are quite waffley. It's something I've wondered about for sure. Probably because I have quite a few things in the mushy middle(!) Full-on manic? No. Things that push the bounds of hypomania? Yes. (A lot of other things, but trying not to stray off too far this time. ) But do they cross those bounds? Did I ever tip over? Who knows.

Not exactly a helpful answer, because I can't clarify either.
In a sense it doesn't matter whether it fell on the hypomanic or manic side of things. But in another sense it does matter, because -- and this may seem stupid-- but I'm left not knowing which word to use in describing an experience(!) And that kind of thing bothers me, because words matter and because I don't want to overstate. (Or, understate, though it is by far the side I'd rather err on). Like... can I legitimately use this word? I don't want to if I shouldn't, because to me that would come off like someone who is simply caffeine-buzzed calling it hypomania (or worse, mania). Don't let me commence on that...(which is to say, "don't get me started", but I'm sick of that expression. Or how about, "Permit me not to commence upon that topic.)