Welcome dear wanderer of the waking world.
You've made it through another day and that deserves a quiet little celebration.
Not the loud kind with confetti and dance music,
But the cozy kind that involves blankets,
Pajamas and maybe a pillow that knows exactly how to hug your face.
Let's begin by finding your most comfortable position.
Yes,
That's the one.
The one you'll insist is perfect until you immediately realize your arm has fallen asleep.
Adjust,
Wiggle,
Get cozy.
Feel your body start to melt a little into the mattress like butter on warm toast.
Now take a slow deep breath in.
Imagine you're inhaling calm cool air.
Exhale gently,
Releasing every thought about emails,
Dishes and that one awkward thing you said in 2013.
Let it all go.
Your only job right now is to exist,
Peacefully and quietly,
Just doing nothing.
Feel the weight of your body sinking into the bed.
The mattress isn't judging you for watching just one more episode earlier,
It's simply here to support you no matter how many times you've changed your sleeping position tonight.
Now bring your attention to your toes.
They've been holding you up all day,
Walking,
Balancing,
Possibly stubbed at least once.
Give them a moment of gratitude and imagine a wave of relaxation washing upward through your feet,
Into your legs and your hips.
And as you do,
Each muscle sighs in relief,
Like finally they're letting us rest.
Your stomach softens,
Shoulders drop,
Jaw unclenches.
The face you present to the world every day now gets to rest too.
Maybe even give a tiny smile.
Not because you must,
But because it feels surprisingly nice to smile for no reason in the dark.
Now imagine you're lying beneath a soft star-filled sky.
Each star twinkles just for you,
Whispering you did enough today.
The moon nods in agreement,
All wise and glowy,
Saying you are safe,
You can rest.
If your mind tries to wander off,
Maybe did tomorrow's to-do list or that suspicious sound your fridge made earlier,
Just gently say,
Now now dear brain,
We'll overthink that in the morning.
Then return to the rhythm of your breath,
In and out,
Calm,
Slow,
Steady.
And with each breath you sink deeper into comfort.
Your thoughts grow softer,
Like background characters fading from the scene.
You are the main character of rest now.
Feel how the air around you seems to cradle you,
How your bed becomes a small,
Loyal spaceship sailing into dreamland.
There's no rush,
No destination,
Just this gentle drifting into peace.
You are safe,
You are loved,
You are allowed to rest completely.
And as sleep tiptoes closer,
Let it wrap you in its quiet arms.
Drift,
Float and dream,
Knowing that the world can wait until morning.
Goodnight magnificent human,
You've earned this.
