Fall Back Asleep: The Cozy Campfire

Fall back asleep fast with this guided sleep meditation: "The Cozy Campfire." You're already up, so let's use this moment to imagine a tranquil night: envision yourself snuggled by a warm, lakeside campfire, bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. Listen to crackling fire as the sky unveils dreamy messages and the lake laps against the shore, lulling you into an overwhelming sense of sleepiness.

Find ultimate peace and deep restoration as you gently float back to your comfy bed, enveloped in the embrace of truly healing sleep. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Hello.

It can be so frustrating when you wait too soon and yearn to get back to sleep fast,

But let go of any worry or anxiety because you've arrived at the right place.

This guided sleep meditation is just for you.

You are listening to Fall Back Asleep,

The Cozy Campfire.

There's nothing like the warmth of a crackling fire and the peace of a starlit night to conjure heady waves of sleepiness.

This soothing journey will help you mend broken sleep patterns and alleviate the stress you may feel when you awaken too soon.

The more you listen and practice getting back to sleep sooner,

The more likely your sleep cycle will readjust to a more restorative pattern.

Insomnia isn't just having a hard time falling asleep.

For some of us,

It may mean it's hard to stay asleep.

But know you are in a safe place where we will gently get you back to slumber soon.

It's time to dream away.

Welcome to Michelle's Meditation Sanctuary.

I am Michelle,

And I invite you to consider me a nurturing guide.

A voice of a trusted friend and ally who will only bring you to soft,

Soothing places.

My intention is to help your thoughts evaporate like summer mist in a forest.

Drifting away to a place where all things may go when they are no longer needed.

My words are only suggestions,

And as waves of sleepiness arrive,

You may find yourself drawn to the spaces of silence between them.

Feel empowered to use my suggestions if they fit,

Or let them fade away if they don't.

In the sanctuary of your sleeping space and your mind,

You get to decide what feels natural and best.

Each breath brings you closer to the delicious bridge to sleep.

And in between consciousness and slumber,

There is a beautiful space to float.

Feeling light,

Feeling free,

And feeling the fluidity of a dream.

I invite you to let go of any thoughts or stress you have about waking too soon.

There is always the experience,

And then there is a reaction to it.

So while you cannot immediately change your experience and be fast asleep,

You have full power to choose your thoughts and feelings about it.

So let's allow this brief interlude to be a sweet detour.

The more scenic route that you didn't expect,

But will enhance your return to sleep.

You have ample time to rest,

And your body will make up for this distraction.

It's naturally programmed to look out for you,

And to help you find restoration and deep rest.

Albert Camus expressed,

Sometimes at night,

I would sleep open-eyed underneath a sky dripping with stars.

I was alive then.

Feel that aliveness now,

Although it may not be the most ideal time to be awake.

Let's embrace the softness and beauty of this nocturnal moment.

Signal your body to soften,

Surrender,

And drift deeper and deeper down.

And release any pressure you might be feeling as you become a loving parent to yourself.

Soothing yourself,

Remembering that it's all okay,

And you are doing your best to slow down and ease back to sleep.

Now you have all the control,

The paintbrushes in your hand,

To create a beautiful oasis.

Feel the handle clutched in your fingers,

Painting gracefully against the canvas of the night sky.

A colorful brushstroke that clears all thoughts and do's and concerns.

They can wait for the daytime,

When you cram more than enough into one day.

This time is sacred and special.

It's meant for you to have enjoyment and recovery.

It's a moment when all your cells can go on a nightly vacation that they have more than earned.

Nothing can take away this holiday.

It's yours to enjoy.

Watch as the edges of everything soften,

Like watercolors.

Fluid and dreamy.

Whenever something arises,

A thought or feeling.

Sense where it manifests in your body,

And imagine picking up the paintbrush.

The plush,

Wide,

Soft bristles are dripping in a soothing,

Cool balm that settles your nerve cells and eases tension.

As the paintbrush glides across places of holding,

Pacifying sensations of rest swell within you.

Everything can wait.

You feel the cool,

Liquid magic of it all as you embrace lightness and fluidity.

And as you find yourself settling deeper,

Always allow for a little adjustment.

Perhaps shifting your position,

Fluffing your pillows,

Or wrapping your arms around yourself in a comforting hug.

Do whatever feels most supportive as we continue to get closer to sleep.

Comfort yourself with the same tenderness and love you would offer someone dear to you.

Welcome your vulnerabilities and give them space and love.

Bedtime is a time for vulnerability.

And feeling safe in this vulnerable time only empowers you.

And as your breath is another source of power,

Allow your focus to turn to it as you release everything with a sigh,

Clearing the air.

As you inhale,

You draw in the cool,

Cleansing freshness of the night air.

Envision the flickering glow of a cozy campfire,

The vast,

Star-filled sky above,

And the deep,

Soothing shades of a peaceful night.

Exhale in a sigh,

Breathing out anything that doesn't serve this deep state of rest.

Sending it out into the night air to dissipate like a gentle mist.

Let's take another healing breath together.

Inhale deeply and sense the fresh,

Earthy scent of pine and the comforting aroma of wood smoke,

Mingling with the clean,

Crisp air of the night.

This sense of smell is powerful and helps transport you to your peaceful haven.

Exhale slowly,

Releasing any tightness in your shoulders,

Any clenching in your jaw,

Any holding in your belly.

Allow your breath to become as soft and still as this picturesque moment.

A storybook setting that inspires peaceful dreams.

Let your breath fall into a natural,

Easy rhythm.

As you sense every breath bringing you to the soft edges of slumber,

Each inhalation and exhalation brings you closer to its mellow,

Restorative embrace.

And just as Albert Camus found himself beneath the stars,

Reveling in the beauty of a night sky,

You too may take advantage of being conscious during this magical time.

Since you find yourself awake,

Why not indulge in the night's enchantment while the rest of the world quietly dozes?

Imagine yourself gently stirring in the quiet of the night,

Not with frustration,

But in what feels like a personal invitation from the moon to come and join it.

Instead of tossing and turning,

You rise softly,

Drawn by the serene call of the outdoors.

You step out into the cool,

Crisp night air and find yourself in a tranquil mountainside forest where a cozy campfire awaits you.

The flames kiss the night air as a squiggly trail of plum black smoke swirls through the heavy,

Yet feathery branches of pine trees.

The amber glow illuminates the path as you approach.

The scent of pine and wood smoke is both comforting and welcoming.

Beyond the clearing,

Where a perfect pile of three logs succumb to the flames in a metal barrel,

The distant peaks of mountains offer protection.

A tranquil lake shimmers under the vast,

Stardusted sky,

Its glassy blue surface reflecting the distant mountains and the conifers that line the lakeshore.

And while all this beauty has a sense of familiarity,

There is something otherworldly and deeply sacred about this moment.

You can't quite articulate it or put a finger on it,

But the feeling is so sublime and dreamy that you simply enjoy the way it makes you feel.

Awe-inspiring,

Uplifting,

Calming.

The night offers a maternal energy,

A wordless exchange that makes you feel to your core that you are supported and okay.

You settle into your ideal fireside seat that is as comfortable and cozy as being in bed.

You listen to the soundtrack of this clear night.

The soft,

Rhythmic crackle and pop of the burning logs.

The subtle whisper of the breeze through the evergreens.

And the almost imperceptible lapping of the lake against the shore with the occasional splash of a fish.

Feel the deep,

Radiating warmth from the flames and how it contrasts with the mountain air.

A comforting blend of coolness and heat.

Finding balance.

The flames dance,

Telling a story,

Encouraging your eyes to become glassy as you get lost in the orange gold light.

Once more,

The ethereal energy of this space reveals itself.

You watch your thoughts,

Worries,

And any restlessness transform into tiny,

Bright sparks,

Taking flight.

At will,

You can focus on an individual spark,

And it becomes like an orange globe,

Revealing your thoughts,

Playing out within,

Like a play on a stage.

You feel a sense of detachment as you become the observer,

An audience member in this unique experience.

And as you use this power to investigate and then release,

You watch as all the sparks rise gracefully into the dark canvas of the sky,

Shimmering for a moment before dissolving into the vastness,

Leaving your mind clear and light.

Each spark carries away a piece of what held you awake,

Leaving behind only peace.

You consider the paintbrush of your imagination once more,

Holding the brush in your hand.

Wherever the brush goes,

It enhances the experience.

You paint the night,

Making the stars more vivid.

The crackling sounds of the fire become louder,

Filling your mental space,

And pushing other,

Less welcome sounds further into the background.

For a moment,

You consider all the creatures that share this night with you,

Sleeping peacefully in trees and hollows and in the cool lake.

The languid tempo of the trees rustling matches the slow breaths of the sweet animals of the forest as they sigh in deep sleep.

You yawn,

Feeling a wave of tiredness come in.

Every part of your being aligns with the peaceful energy of the fire as you are gently drawn toward harmony with this magical night.

A gentle,

Easy smile graces your lips.

Perhaps being awake isn't so bad after all.

When you are able to enjoy the night unfolding around you,

Completely undisturbed,

As the logs become embers and sparks lighting up the dark,

The deep waves of comfort flow through you with the warm,

Gentle air that surrounds the campfire.

Surrounded by layers of safety from the sturdy,

Protective mountains to the sky-piercing evergreen trees to the vast,

Peaceful canvas of stars,

You feel a bone-deep sense of ease.

You become as still as the night itself,

Rooted with a tangible sense of being grounded in deep peace.

At the same time,

Your breath takes on the gentle sway of the flames which knows when to surrender and simply flow.

Take a slow,

Gentle exhale,

Perhaps even a soft sigh,

And release anything you no longer need.

As you whisper to yourself,

Sleep comes with a fire's glow.

This message settles within you like a quiet ember glowing softly in the darkness.

The energy of the message flows from the crown of your head to the tips of your toes,

A wave of tranquility permeating your skin,

Tissues,

Muscles,

Nerves,

And bones.

Every single cell in your body receives the comforting signal that it's perfectly safe to stand down.

You invite in the sleepy,

Dreamy sensation that deepens with each soothing breath and every gentle crackle of the fire.

Sleep comes as easily as the soft glow of the embers,

As the gentle,

Persistent susurrations of the wind through the trees,

As the diffused light of the night bathes the world in a hopeful promise.

And you explore the night's gift of serenity,

Comfort,

And rest.

Sigh again as every muscle becomes softer and your bones become heavy as you sink into this perfect moment.

Softness is your natural state,

As soft as the settling ash,

As lightweight as the smoke rising into the night.

Your eyes are tired and heavy,

And the world takes on a dreamy haze as you peer up at the vast,

Shimmering expanse of the star-filled sky.

In this sleepy moment,

The stars seem to hold gentle messages and you may notice soft patterns forming as you trace them.

Slowly and peacefully,

These messages of tranquility become clearer.

You see the words,

Serene Night,

Softly shimmering in the constellations.

It becomes a gentle,

Enjoyable game as your eyes drift across the sky,

Naturally gravitating toward messages that resonate in this quiet time.

Another phrase comes into view as certain stars begin to glow brighter.

Sleep is your haven.

You inhale deeply and sigh,

Letting the message settle.

Your eyes slowly move to the north to read these words in the stars.

You deserve rest.

You notice as the words appear,

They seem handwritten in a familiar scroll,

Graceful and elegant.

There's a sense of artistry and whimsy to them.

Another phrase gently stands out,

Outlined in the softest,

Shimmering starlight.

You always deserve peace.

Each message is a gentle,

Silent reminder from the vast universe,

Supporting you and guiding you back to sleep.

One more gentle message appears.

This message is as helpful for your waking life as it is for your sleeping life.

As you gently drift between these worlds,

The message comes.

You feel your eyelids flutter gently,

Becoming heavier as they close for a brief while.

They open again,

Taking in the moon and stars once more.

And you see the message.

Sleep always waits for you.

And all the time you thought you were waiting for sleep,

It was there for you.

A safe place,

A holiday,

Ready for you whenever you wish to return.

Gently welcome the heady waves of sleepiness.

A profound sense of calm settles upon you and you slowly rise.

Each step is heavy and so very much ready for sleep.

Perhaps there is a bed here in the forest,

Waiting for you,

Ready to fly away to anywhere you wish to go.

Or perhaps there is a nearby cabin or tent,

Or converted caravan,

Waiting to offer you sleep.

Or maybe you choose to teleport to the bed that appeals to you most.

Your eyes are so heavy.

Your body is so tired that you are happy for this bed beneath the stars,

Supported by the earth.

You sink into its support,

Knowing that sleep may bring you to any dream,

To any cherished place you wish to go.

The sense of fluidity returns as you settle into the bed,

Your head atop a mountain of pillows.

The air is cool on your face and perfect for deep sleep.

The lingering sweet and peppery scent of wood smoke joins the smell of fresh linens.

The sheets cool and luxurious against your skin.

The sounds,

The smells,

And the sensations are a sleep aid in themselves.

Allow yourself to appreciate this experience from the comfort of this perfect night,

Fully supported as you rest beneath the soothing sounds it offers.

Your body knows how to sleep just as naturally as all the other beings that find rest on this quiet night.

The nocturnal shades of blue and gray,

Softened by the kiss of the starlight filtering through the trees,

Are distant visions beyond your closed eyes.

You feel yourself letting go of it all,

Welcoming the incoming waves of sleep that arrive more often and are more enticing than ever before.

A floating sensation comes,

Drifting on the waves of sleep that undulate like the gentle ripples on the lake.

So very much at ease.

Your heart rate naturally slows down,

Your body welcoming the chance to go slower.

As you embrace each soothing sensation,

Your breath deepens effortlessly.

Erase the paintbrush once more,

This time leaving brushstrokes of sleep everywhere in your body.

Feel the coolness of its reach,

Finding every cell and painting it with sleep.

With each stroke,

You count,

Becoming more sleepy as your body becomes heavier,

And you feel the sweet,

Persistent allure of sleep.

It invites you to come along and return to the dreamscapes and these moments in the peaceful night.

Drifting deeper and deeper into this peaceful,

Soothing experience.

7 4 With each gentle exhale,

Just like the soft fading of the campfire's glow,

Allow yourself to fully embrace the stillness of the night as it embraces you,

Feeling a profound and peaceful connection to the natural world surrounding you.

8 Sense my voice fading into the quiet as you simply give in,

Like sparks taking flight,

Like gentle moonlit lake waves rippling in the night.

Like the evergreen branches bending in the strength of the mountain breeze.

Gentle waves of peace wash over your body,

From the ground of your head to the soles of your feet,

And as every part of you gives in to the welcome,

Comforting,

Loving embrace of slumber,

Finding quietude,

Finding grace,

Finding peace,

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Reviews

It did exactly as advertised… Every time I found my brain trying to worry about something, I just thought about a nice roaring fire and it worked. Thank you!

I did fell back asleep, so thank you! Comforting words and I liked the campfire. 🙏

I used this to help me drift off, I’ve had terrible insomnia the last few days. This was perfect, thank you, Michelle! 💙

Deeply comforting and relaxing! I was able to let go and fall back to sleep almost immediately.

Very soothing soon for me back to sleep and will be lost to it again today as hubby woke me up coughing with man flu thank you Michelle for another amazing tale

Michelle, this back to sleep guided sleep meditation worked so well for me! Put me back to sleep so easily, that I used it last night after getting a second wind from being up too late (after midnight). I put this on repeat & fell asleep so quickly that I just woke up before my alarm went off. I feel alert & rested! I love the subtle crackling fire sound in combination with serene music. Thank you kindly for yet another restful night’s sleep! 🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

Michelle’s sanctuary is my go to for sleep. This is one of the best

Thank you, Michelle🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻Used this 3 times in the second half of my night, and each time fell asleep quickly, so no idea of the content🙏🏻😴😴😴🙏🏻

I have always loved the soothing crackling of a campfire. This worked & I fell back to sleep. Thank you, Michelle.