Cottage by the Sea: A Homecoming Sleep Story

Have you ever longed to have a cottage by the sea? A place where you may go when you need to connect with nature and find peace?

In tonight’s cozy bedtime story, “Cottage by the Sea: A Homecoming” return to a cottage on the sea, located on the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Watch the wild horses run free, as you walk the beach with your dog and take a dip in the warm ocean waves. Return to your beach cottage to enjoy a fire pit beneath a starry sky, and then settle in you oceanview bedroom, lulled to sleep by ocean sounds. Sleep meditation music will carry you across the bridge to your sleeping life. It’s time to dream away.

Transcript

Tonight's cozy bedtime story offers soothing repose in the saltwater air of the outer banks.

Embrace comforting nostalgia as you let go of anxieties and stress in tonight's sleep story Cottage by the Sea,

A Homecoming.

There is a cottage on a barrier island in North Carolina that houses the golden memories of seaside adventures and offers an escape from the chaos of the world.

Enjoy a peaceful night in this idyllic cottage after spending the day exploring the dunes where wild horses run free and the provincial beauty of the seashore connects you with the wildness within you.

Find a safe and cozy place to unwind as you tap into your very essence,

Reconnect with your most beloved summer memories,

And fall fast asleep.

It's time to dream away.

I would like to welcome you to Michelle's Sanctuary.

I am Michelle,

And as we journey together,

Think of me as a trusted friend who reminds you of all the beauty that is in the world.

Through this bedtime exploration,

I will help you come down from the day to set the tone for the restorative and tranquil night you deserve.

Take this moment to elevate your mood with soft thoughts and sensations that will help you ease into sleep.

Be kind,

Comforting,

And loving to yourself in these last moments of your day.

You are the creative mastermind behind this experience,

So craft the details of the story in any way you want.

I am merely the guide for your imagination,

So conjure imagery and embrace ideas that make you most happy.

You are free to drift away on the waves of sleep whenever you like,

Floating into the realm of dreams.

And in this story,

You may constantly connect with the fluidity of life and the sea as you dive into the waters of your subconscious mind that offer healing each night.

Engage in this brief talk-down and meditation to better prepare yourself,

Releasing anything hindering your connection to your body and its need for serenity.

Wiggle and adjust yourself to become as comfortable as you can.

Heavy as an anchor,

You sink into the comforts of your bed and pillows,

In the sanctuary of your room and mind,

Where you are safe to let go and be any version of yourself you desire.

Take in a deep breath,

Slowly sipping in the air and imagining it is like the sweet saltwater air carried by an ocean breeze across a barrier island.

Feel the sea mist on your face as your jaw relaxes.

Feel your body to its utmost capacity as you become as light as an inflatable float drifting on gentle waves.

And then sigh and release yourself,

Becoming heavy once again.

Every intake and out-breath gives you the chance to enjoy the ebb and flow that comes with the balance of lightness and heaviness.

Of give and take.

Feel again letting this breath turn into a guilt-free yawn,

If that feels right.

Further signaling that you are as relaxed as can be.

And then sigh and make a sound as your eyelids feel like cool sandbags resting upon your tired eyes.

One more time at your own pace.

Notice the undulations of your body as you inhale and sigh,

Riding the sound waves of my voice as we focus on bringing you to the most relaxed state and the deepest breaths of the day.

You are safe,

You are loved,

Your needs and feelings matter.

You may ground yourself in this precious moment curated for you.

And in this state of peace and security,

Your imagination may wander and envision the cottage by the sea that waits for you on an island that is a solve,

In a place where you are free.

It is time for the story to begin.

There are places you may visit in life that leave you wanting more.

There is never enough time to savor the sweet,

Simple pleasures of this special location.

A mere thought of this place conjures daydreams and bestows rich memories.

A craving always lingers for just one more sunset that casts the seashell-speckled shoreline in pastel hues.

One more walk on the powdery sand beneath the moon as the velvety sky hints at the promise of unveiling the mysteries of the universe.

You may long for one more morning,

Awakening to the possibility of a perfect day that flows naturally and asks little of you beyond enjoying its relaxing offerings.

The smell of the saltwater air that carries a touch of sweetness,

Sometimes enhanced by the tropical aroma of sunscreen,

Instantly activates memories of the best summer days.

For children lucky enough to experience the colossal presence of the ocean,

They are introduced early on to the feeling of being awestruck by the vast water that seems endless from the shoreline.

The perpetual waves that crest and reveal their force absorb the smallness of worries and concerns that may have once felt monumental.

Your feet step on the tawny sand of a quiet beach nestled within the outer banks of North Carolina.

The string of narrow barrier islands emerged over centuries,

Shaped by the whims of wind,

Seawater and time.

The ocean carved the islands to become a natural barrier,

Guardians of the coast,

Protecting the mainland from the raw power of the Atlantic.

Just as these islands safeguard the Carolina shores,

They offer a refuge from the mainland where you find solace in their remoteness.

Beyond the sandy shores,

Time-worn lighthouses stand tall and proud,

Beacons of light that have led weary souls to the safe sanctuary of the shore.

Here time seems to slow down,

As hours are marked by the placement of the sun.

You are free of electronic devices and the buzz of the modern world.

Lost in the whispers of the outgoing tide,

The glistening sand is abundant with tidal pools that your beloved dog explores,

Burying their muzzle into the still water that serves as a mirror for the puffy clouds moving in the sky.

You comb the beach for shells as emerita crabs scramble to bury themselves in the cool,

Wet sand.

The waves retreat like lace-edged curtains,

Leaving behind a scattering of vibrant purple-bellied shells and tiny coquina clams that leave strands of bubbles as they slip beneath the shore.

Though the size of a pinky nail,

The mighty creatures filter the water as they feed and help clean the beach.

You slosh through a tidal pool and the warm water splashes up to your knees.

Their playful energy transfers to your dog as they sprint down the beach and circle back.

The two of you are the only souls exploring the area on this late afternoon.

A few beach cottages sit behind the rolling dunes and tall mint green beach grass.

You sprint for a brief moment as well,

Feeling the strength of your leg muscles and the expansion of your lungs as they take in the briny air.

It seems easier to breathe here.

The salt is like a tonic that dissolves all stress and anxiety that sometimes hinders your breathing.

All tightness is gone,

Your heart is open and your chest feels light.

You extend your arms and stretch as the lightweight fabric of your shirt billows like a flag.

Within the enchanting embrace of the outer banks,

A mystical presence roams freely.

You feel the beach vibrate and turn to look behind you to discover the wild horses of the outer banks,

Descendants of Spanish mustangs.

The majestic horses gallop across the sandy shores.

Charismatic droplets of seawater cause their manes to shimmer as they run freely along the edge of the ocean.

These majestic creatures,

Untamed and resilient,

Symbolize the free spirit that permeates the very essence of this coastal getaway.

The mustangs are a living reminder of the island's unique past,

Believed to have arrived centuries ago when Spanish ships met their fate in treacherous waters.

Surviving against all odds,

The wild horses symbolize the resilience of the shape-shifting island.

Your dog comes to your side as you watch the horses disappear beyond the rolling dunes,

Cloaked in the rich orange gold light of sunset.

Observing them reminds you of the untamed aspects of your own spirit.

Their freedom and power speak to your soul,

Awakening a feeling of interconnectedness and reminding you of your freedom to live beyond the normal routines of life.

In this moment,

You remember your inner wild.

You continue down the beach as the sun slips away on the other side of the narrow island,

Disappearing behind the brackish waters of the bay.

Your dog smiles with a sand-dusted chin that glimmers in the golden hour light.

Seagulls dart over the ocean in this prime time for feeding.

Your energetic calls blend with the crashing surf as a nostalgic wave washes over you,

Conjuring memories of a time when all you needed was a colorful pail and shovel to create magical castles in the sand.

The water weaves between your bare toes,

The temperature of a lukewarm bath.

Your canine pal follows,

Playing a game of tag with the ocean,

Not once letting it rise above their belly.

Vibrant pastels burst across the sky.

The bands of color are soft and dreamlike,

In shades of yellow,

Pink,

Orange,

And lilac.

The faint silver glow of the crescent moon appears in a cotton candy pink stretch of sky and is almost otherworldly.

And just when you think there has never been a more perfect day,

A part of you knows there are many to be had during the season on the outer banks.

No matter how hot the mainland becomes,

The soothing ocean breeze keeps the island comfortable and balmy.

You remove your clothes until you're just in a swimsuit to enjoy a quick twilight swim.

The spontaneity of this decision makes you smile.

This is a moment of fun for the mere sake of it.

You feel alive.

Every motion reminds you of your strength and inner resolve.

Your peals of joyous laughter join the seagulls' cries,

The crashing surf,

And the excited bark of your dog,

Who watches over you like a guardian.

As you float on your back,

The salt water causes your skin to tingle in places and massages your neck and scalp.

You raise your hands into the air,

Just above the water's surface,

To find the air feels cooler than the sea.

The waves support you as you drift and look to the sky as the first stars begin to appear.

You focus on the beautiful lightness of being,

Riding the waves,

And feeling unbound to anything.

You imagine floating from the ocean to the stars,

Weightless and trusting in the way you trusted during the earliest moments of life.

You come upright and choose a wave to ride to the shore,

Letting it propel you gracefully with more speed than you could manage on your own.

Your knees brush against the sand as you arrive in shallow waters,

And your dog comes running to lick the salt water from your smiling face.

You take it all in,

With deep appreciation.

Every feeling inspires you to seek out more bliss and simple pleasures.

This is the kind of day that deserves to be bottled at sea,

Every memory encapsulated to be revisited at will.

You stand and gather your clothes and walk down the beach as your dog leads you to your cottage.

The sea breeze is quick to dry you off and rustles the beach grass along the dunes.

The grass conceals picturesque cottages with weather-worn facades painted in neutral tones of ivory,

Gray,

Sand,

And light blue.

The paint so often peels and fades from the sun,

Salt,

And weather that over time it has come to contribute drastic charm to the beach.

The silhouette of your cottage juts out behind a sand fence that helps maintain the dunes.

Your dog runs down the pathway to the hose in a well-lived routine.

You arrive and wash the sand from your feet and your pup's belly and legs.

They shake off and coat you in droplets of water.

You inhale the night air,

Made even more fragrant by the abundant ceramic pots surrounding your property that overflow with your favorite flowers.

You walk on a mat that leads to the patio and an outdoor shower.

Memories wash over you as you take in the feeling of returning to this home away from home.

The windows look out onto the sea,

With varying designs,

From floor to ceiling,

To multi-paned fixtures,

French doors,

And a bow window in the living room.

The house has as many windows as it can,

To allow you to take in the beauty of the island,

To let the sun during the day and the celestial sky at night,

To shower the rooms in light.

In a way,

The beach cottage carries memories of every soul who has come here with you,

If only in spirit.

It evokes pleasant thoughts of those who you have loved the most.

For this cottage has been a place for dreaming and reflection.

Whenever you visit this barrier island,

You feel safe enough to be swept away by your imagination and the infinite possibilities for your life,

That begin with a wish on a star or a blissful reverie by the sea.

In this refuge,

You have been free to develop and harvest your hopes and aspirations,

Letting feelings wash over you.

Memories slip over you,

Like the gentle waves of the Atlantic,

With reminders of dinners beneath the stars,

Of comforting hugs and intimate moments,

Of catching the sparkle in a loved one's eyes as I catch the glint of joy in yours.

Your pup is the embodiment of this joy,

A furry being exploring the night with curiosity and enthusiasm.

You feel your most authentic and grounded when the two of you are together.

You traipse past the fire pit and head to the outdoor shower beneath the crescent moon that now beams brightly in a marine blue sky.

Surrounded by grey wooden walls,

You turn on the shower and step out of your swimsuit.

The water is the ideal temperature as it washes away the dried salt crystals that remain from the ocean.

The layer of salt on your lips is replaced with fresh water that tastes clean and slightly metallic.

There's something about washing away the sand and remnants of a beach day that feels especially soothing.

As if the ocean was part of a spa experience that now continues in the outdoor shower,

Relaxing your muscles,

Purifying your lungs with saltwater air.

You simply feel good as the water cascades down your legs.

You look beyond the showerhead to the stars and moon,

Savoring the ocean side air as you inhale the fragrant notes of a botanical soap.

Your lungs have the relaxed feeling that comes after being used to their utmost capacity,

Laughing with friends,

Or running full speed on the sand.

Your skin is soft,

Exfoliated by sand and sea,

And retains the warmth of the sun.

The trickling shower water creates a new melody to join the sound of the ocean waves,

Crashing with their timeless healing song.

Your pup awaits outside the shower,

Their paws reaching beneath the door to remind you it's time to eat.

You could stay beneath this cascading water forever,

It seems.

But you turn the handles off and dry yourself with a fluffy towel in a soothing color.

You then put on a terrycloth robe,

Cinched securely around your waist.

You step onto the deck as ethereal steam clouds slither out of the shower.

You inhale and deeply sigh as your dog leads you through the French doors into the kitchen.

You prepare their food and refresh the water bowl,

Grabbing something healthy to enjoy yourself by the fire.

Your feet slip into plush outdoor slippers,

And you step back outside,

Your satiated pup in tow.

The deck is aglow with tiny fairy lights,

Contained in oversized bulbs that dangle from the railing and are strung across the top of the deck.

Three steps at the edge of the deck lead to an outdoor alcove,

With a brick fire pit surrounded by cozy chairs.

You place your snack on a mosaic side table that captures the blues and greens of the Atlantic.

You remove matches,

A fire starter,

Kindling,

And a log from a firewood chest as your pup settles on a lounger.

The sweet scent of dry wood fills the air,

Mingling with the salt-kissed breeze.

A match finds its purpose as you strike it against the box.

The initial spark grows,

And the breeze assists in helping the wood catch quickly as flames erupt and lick the air.

As the fire consumes the log,

Its amber tongues leap and dance,

Casting playful shadows upon the dunes and flickering reflections upon your face.

The crackles and pops fill the silent pauses between the hush of the waves.

And just as you became lost in the visual of incoming waves,

You are captivated by the mesmerizing dance of the flames.

Flames and fire,

Both hypnotic in their own way.

Your pup begins to softly snore,

And the fire sounds lull you into a state of peaceful contemplation.

You enjoy your evening treat.

The sounds of consuming it awaken your dog briefly,

But your pup succumbs to the tiredness brought on by a day of adventures.

You reflect on the beauty you shared,

And the serenity of the moments unfolding before you.

Your head rests on a pillow as you take in the night sky,

Watching orange sparks dance in their quest to join the stars.

The air becomes cooler,

But the fire creates enough warmth that you can comfortably stay outside and enjoy the night.

You hum to yourself as a sudden song comes to mind,

A lyric that captures your sentiment in this peaceful moment.

Your eyes to stretch and look out at the ocean,

A metallic dark blue with luminous white crests beneath a sky freckled with stars.

You put out the fire as an incoming wave of sleepiness makes you long to go inside.

The aged wooden planks of the deck creak beneath your feet,

Echoing the countless footsteps that have traversed the threshold.

Your pup follows behind,

Their nails clicking on the wood.

As you enter the cottage,

The warmth of the interior hugs you within its timeless familiarity.

The open floor plan reveals its charm,

With wooden floors that bear the imprints of memories etched over time with scuffs of sand.

The living room expands into a dining nook and kitchen,

And boasts a high ceiling with exposed beams below skylights that reveal the rich canvas of the night sky.

White wood-paneled walls are covered with a collection of photographs in an eclectic array of frames adorned with seashells,

Hand-painted and created from driftwood.

The images capture moments spent on the beach,

From your earliest smiles as an infant to the present day.

The photographs depict a life well lived,

And an opening on the wall leaves room for more photos to be added.

A myriad of swimwear styles and ages are frozen in time,

Captured in each frame to represent a special chapter in your journey.

From the adorable to the awkward moments,

You find a way to love and appreciate every version of you that has led you here,

Always deserving of love,

Kindness,

And joy.

You know this now,

Looking back.

You set forth the intention to remember this,

And cultivate a life that honors all you are worthy of.

The cottage's history permeates the air,

Mingling with the aroma of dried eucalyptus and the sweet smell of dog-eared beech reeds that grace the built-in shelves that also contain board games,

Puzzles,

And journals.

Each item carefully chosen and arranged represents the literary nourishment and shared activities that have shaped who you are and helped your mind grow.

You peer out the French doors as the ocean continues its timeless dance,

With a moon's glow lending a metallic sheen to the crests of the waves.

You get caught up in memories of moonlit walks and late-night adventures,

In moments of splashing through the tide,

And remembering parts of yourself sometimes forgotten,

But imperative to remember.

You are the embodiment of beautiful moments that have unfolded on these shores.

The solitude of the night brings a profound peace as you cast your gaze upon the stars.

Time loses its linear nature,

And you waft from one calming thought to the next.

You close the French doors as you deeply inhale and say your silent thanks,

Bidding goodnight to the moon and stars,

The beach and the ocean.

You wander down the wide hallway as cool air circulates with the help of ceiling fans.

Your loyal companion follows you and finds her spot beside your bed,

Ready to drift off to sleep.

Adorned with seashells and seahorses,

And a blend of neutral beach tones,

The room exudes a serene ambience.

At bedtime,

The bedding takes on the dark blue cast of night,

And come morning it will reflect the brilliant glow of a rising sun over the Atlantic.

You remove your slippers and feel the cool wooden floor beneath your bare feet.

You relish the room's briskness as you surrender to the weariness that settles within you.

The white four-poster bed faces windows that look out on the sea.

You peel back the sateen duvet and slide between the crisp cotton sheets.

The gentle whispers of the ocean continue their soothing lullaby and can even be heard through the closed windows.

You look to your pet,

Forever your guardian.

Your eyes become heavy and you surrender the weight of your head into the pillows.

The mattress and pillows form around the nooks and crannies of your body to offer total comfort and support.

Each breath becomes a gateway to deeper relaxation as you hover above the edge of slumber.

The ocean's music intertwines with your dreams,

Blending reality and the ethereal world of your imagination that is always inspired by this haven in the outer banks.

Curled up inside the cozy beach cottage,

Your place for restoration and self-care,

You brim with gratitude.

And this warm wave of appreciation carries you to sleep.

Beach experiences,

Woven through the tapestry of your life,

Bring you peace.

The sand between your toes,

The sound of crashing waves and the timeless essence of the beach flicker across the screens of your closed eyelids,

Painting a world so lovely it seems unreal.

As you succumb to the tranquility,

A bridge appears in your mind's eye,

Stretching across a saltwater marsh beneath the moon's gentle gaze.

It beckons you towards the other side,

Where sleep awaits,

With a promise of more dreams to unfold.

As your body recovers and your subconscious mind becomes the maestro,

You softly sigh and release any remaining tensions,

Expressing gratitude for the enduring presence of the moon,

The stars,

The beach and the ocean.

You whisper thank you as you cross the bridge and enter slumber,

Finding peace,

Finding stillness,

Finding escape,

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Good night.

Reviews

Thank you for taking me on this restful journey by the sea with my beloved paw pals

Wey relaxing and soothing had this a while in my bookmarks so glad I listened to it tonight even though I didn’t hear all of it, it worked its magic and soon sent me to sleep. Thank you once again Michelle x

The ocean has always been my place of peace & this cottage on the beach with my dog brought back so many good memories. Thank you for another wonderful sleep story.

Michelle xx this is one of your most beautiful stories ever 🙏🏻 lyrical prose and absolute repose xx thank you 😊
Xo Xo Xo Cat

Thankyou again Michelle for another beautiful meditation. I slept very well.

Really beautiful. Thank you very much, M. Love the visual of a wild herd of horses running along ocean shores. The waves at the end divine to fall asleep to.😴😺🐱🙏🐨

Thank you- didn’t get to the end of your beautiful story 😌💜

Oh wow, Michelle, you’ve outdone yourself this time! It seems like every sentence is written just right, enticing my own imagination. Thank you🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I have just returned from a 3month trip to Belgium, harboring wonderful memories from time spent at the North Sea. Ah, the pleasure of staying in bed in the morning, and consciously pressing the play button to reveal the full story after several nights of just hearing not even the introduction fullyy: blissful! What a great storyteller you are! Thank you, thank you, thank you✨🙏🏻🌟😇🌟🦋🌟🙏🏻💫

Beautiful story and happy memories for me, with room for more to be created. Thank you Michelle and many Blessings. 🐚💕🕊

Another great bedtime story! I don’t remember much past the breathing exercises as I fell asleep quickly! Thank you kindly Michelle for this practice! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗