Relax with your sleep story as we travel through time.
You are listening to Summer of 1984,
A cozy bedtime story that conjures nostalgia for this earlier era.
Throughout history,
There will always be challenges,
But in this dreamy escape,
We can focus on the most soothing and entertaining aspects of this year.
Imagine spending a steamy afternoon in the cool reprieve of a local mall,
Browsing through records and savoring a soft pretzel from the food court.
Feel the excitement of a neighborhood block party under the soft glow of string lights overhead.
Enjoy a midnight swim beneath the stars as the energy of innocent fun and lighthearted adventures carry you through the night on a wave of timeless joy.
It's time to dream away.
Welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.
I am Michelle,
Your fellow adventurer through time,
Who is here to help soften the night.
Connect with your imagination and let my words take you on a dreamy journey that can be changed to fit whatever fits your mood.
Every listen may be different,
And I hope you feel empowered to honor yourself as we journey together.
Fall asleep whenever you like.
I am here to gently remind you that you deserve this time to celebrate making it through another day as you unwind.
Your rest and comfort are all that matter as you settle in the sanctuary of your room and explore the sanctuary of your mind.
Cast away the noise and demands of the outside world as you turn into your cozy inner world.
Open your mouth and let out a big sigh as you make peace with the day.
No matter what has happened,
You have made it through to the other side.
And now you deserve rest.
Slowly inhale through your nose,
Imagining the air in your room takes on the fragrant notes of freshly unwrapped bubblegum,
The sweet scent of popular strawberry shortcake dolls from the 80s,
And the aroma of a brand new vinyl record.
The 80s represent a time when all senses were indulged.
Relax with a yawn if you like,
Or go straight into an audible sigh as you feel yourself looking forward to each moment as it reveals itself.
Continue to enjoy two more conscious deep breaths,
Going at your own pace,
Filling yourself up with a sense of comfort and serenity.
When you inhale,
Sip in all the pleasures of the night.
Savor every second of restoration as the only thing you need to do right now is feel good.
With every yawn and every sigh,
You commit to a sleepy journey of relaxing and surrendering.
Let your closed eyelids become the dark canvas where you visualize the story about to unfold,
Connecting with the vibrant neon hues and the playful energy of 1984.
It's time for the story to begin.
The midday summer sun beams brightly onto the asphalt parking lot of a popular mall as the humid air cloaks you in its thick,
Heavy embrace.
Daring young teens skateboard and roller skate in a vacant section of the parking lot as the theme song from the Ghostbusters plays through the speakers of a black boombox carefully balanced on the curb.
Your sneakers land on the hot pavement as you come upon the looming shade from a department store yearning for the cool air conditioning indoors.
Without a mission or goal,
You arrive at the two-story mall to simply take in this communal gathering place,
Where reinvention is a modern-day possibility.
You step into the department store,
Walking through the beauty section,
Where consultants chew gum and offer samples of heady fragrances that conjure thoughts of kindergarten teachers and grandmothers with their floral musky aromas.
You meander through the women's and men's departments,
Noting the thick,
Wide shoulder pads that adorn mannequins,
Along with bold splashes and pops of plums,
Golds,
Wine red,
And royal blue seen in dresses and blouses.
The store is quiet and subdued,
A refuge from the bustling crowds that will come in the holiday season.
The mature,
Classical music played in the department store fades into the distance as you enter the colorful mall,
To be replaced by current pop tunes that reverberate through the halls.
The shift in energy is palpable,
From lackluster and officious to playful and inviting.
Sunlight pours through the skylights that run the length of the mall and look like glass bubbles.
No longer does the sun overwhelm you with its persistent heat as you revel in the air conditioning and set out to explore.
College kids on break from school staff many of the kiosks and diverse array of stores with neon signs beckoning you to enter.
The scent of new shoes and freshly popped popcorn mingle in the air as a group of young teens walk by,
Lapping rainbow sprinkles off soft serve ice cream before it drips on the reflective tile floors.
In the center of the mall is an elevated stage where a young dance troupe puts on a free show wearing matching full-body leotards and Reeboks with neon scarves tied in their hair.
Their infectious spirit radiates from their smiles and coordinated dance moves to Cindy Lauper's Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
You pause for a moment,
Holding on to the slick railing and peering down at the carousel below.
You smile when you consider how the day may unfold if you simply focus on having fun.
Life never has to be so serious.
No matter what is happening in the world,
Or in your life that feels beyond control,
The remote control for programming your experience is in your hands,
Or rather,
In your mind.
1984 is not without its challenges.
The tension of an election looms,
And yet people respond with flair and mark their calendars with joyful things to look forward to.
Without a 24-hour news cycle,
It's easy to escape all the happenings in the world.
And that's what everyone at the mall is there to do.
You meander in and out of stores,
Trying on new articles of clothing that make you feel like someone else for a moment.
As you elect to change your mental channel to one that has a zest for life.
You're never too old to try new things on,
And like a kid playing dress-up,
You spend an hour doing the same.
Hit with a pang of hunger,
You step into the food court,
Drawn by the tantalizing aromas that greet you like an old friend.
Amidst the diverse array of outlets with gleaming,
Colorful,
Marquee signs.
You peruse the samplings,
From pizza to tacos,
Chinese food,
Ice cream,
And giant cookies the size of a pie divvied out in slices.
You take these samples from tiny paper cups atop trays held by teens wearing aprons and baseball caps,
Counting the hours before they are free to enjoy this weekend night.
Like much of the mall,
The food court is a mosaic of vibrant colors,
From the bright red and yellow signage,
To pastel-hued,
Coin-operated rides for young tykes and the vibrant flashes of light from a mini-arcade.
You bask in the warm,
Golden hues of the soft pretzel stand.
You line up at the counter,
The air thick with the smell of buttery pretzels and the sweet citrus notes of freshly-squeezed lemonade flowing out of a fountain.
As you receive your treat,
You savor the moment,
Feeling the soft,
Warm pretzel in your hand as your fingerprints are left in the cool layer of condensation on the paper lemonade cup.
Around you,
The food court is alive with a spectrum of fashion from the era at the mall everyone tries to be the trendiest.
Teenage girls in high-waisted jeans and colorful layers of tanks and shoulder-bearing tops are chatting excitedly,
While guys in graphic tees and pastel-colored shorts gather near the arcade machines.
The persistent beat of pop music blends seamlessly with the clatter of trays and the murmur of conversation.
Neon lights from the arcade and signage reflect on the waxy leaves of lush green tropical plants in large terracotta pots scattered throughout the court.
The hairstyles of those around you are quintessentially 80s,
Big voluminous curls and feathery teased hair for the women and the neatly styled,
Often mullet-inspired cuts for the men.
The mall's music,
A mix of synth-pop and dance hits,
Continues to create a lively backdrop that adds to the overall sense of fun and excitement.
With your pretzel and lemonade in hand,
You are prepared to return to the summer heat as you casually stroll back through the mall to your convertible,
A Ford Mustang with sleek lines and a classic design that's a perfect fit for the era.
You slide into the driver's seat,
The color of red licorice,
And it feels hot against your skin.
Puffy clouds cover the sky,
Creating shadows that float across the parking lot,
Traveling on a cool incoming breeze that mixes with the thick summer air.
The radio crackles to life,
And Prince's voice fills the car as you take off and leave the mall behind.
As you drive down a suburban street,
Beneath a canopy of oak and maple trees,
The setting sun casts a golden glow over everything,
Painting the sky in swirling bands of raspberry pink and peach.
The suburban landscape unfolds with neatly trimmed lawns,
With azaleas and hydrangeas adding pops of colors as kids ride their bikes along the sidewalks,
The older kids racing ahead as their younger siblings try to catch up.
The beginnings of a block party come into view as you turn on the street where your home awaits.
Colorful streamers flutter in the breeze,
And the scent of barbecue fills the air,
Mingling with the bold green notes of freshly cut grass.
You see neighbors setting up folding tables,
Laden with orange,
Brown,
And green Tupperware containers overflowing with fruit and pasta salads,
Ambrosia,
And banana pudding.
Red jello molds containing fruit cocktail bits and multi-layer cakes are arranged on crystal cake stands amongst boards of cubed cheese,
Pickles,
And crackers.
Communal neighborly energy fills the air,
And you are met with smiles and waves as you pull into the driveway of your mid-century home.
The atmosphere is inviting and festive,
A perfect embodiment of the carefree,
Joyous spirit of summer.
Music fills the air from an open garage,
Where a band of teenagers do their best to emulate urban fashion styles and replicate the sounds of current hits.
They practice each night once the sun goes down,
And the cool night air arrives and circulates through their practice space in the garage.
The scene is a perfect snapshot of the summer of 1984,
A blend of nostalgic music,
Vibrant fashion,
And the simple pleasures of good food and great company.
You take a deep breath,
Savoring the mix of scents and sounds as you prepare a paper plate nestled within a plastic woven basket,
Deeply appreciating this community.
You notice the lack of electronic distractions,
And the array of activities that everyone engages in.
No heads are lost behind the screens of phones or iPads,
Instead front yards and driveways offer chances to play badminton,
Horseshoe,
And basketball.
Sprinklers go off,
And children race through them,
Accompanied by the more childlike adults in attendance,
Who have no hesitation in acting silly.
Crickets and cicadas sing out as the sun disappears.
Street lamps turn on,
And the festivities unfold.
You find a comfortable spot in one of the folded lawn chairs,
Their seats made of weaved striped plastic with cheerful thin lines of lime green,
Orange,
Magenta,
White,
And electric blue.
As you settle in,
The metal beams of the frame creak softly beneath you,
And you balance your plate,
Indulging in each summery delight.
The band continues to play,
And neighbors dance on the pavement,
Their movements illuminated by strings of colorful lights strung between trees and lampposts.
Youngish girls recline on the hoods of cars,
Doing their best to appear demure and emulate their favorite movie stars of the time.
Voices carry and blend,
From laughing children to chuckling dads and seniors,
Creating a comforting,
Friendly,
Ambient sound.
You close your eyes,
And inhale deeply,
Listening to the clinking chains of bicycles,
Live music,
The patter of kids running barefoot across the street,
And the gentle summer breeze rustling the leaves.
Every sensation is satisfying in this moment.
The simplest of pleasures arouse hope.
The easiest of times inspire a bone-deep feeling of safety and belonging.
As the night deepens,
Kids dart around the street with sparklers,
Their excited shrieks and giggles filling the air.
The rich gradient of deep blues in the sky and silver stars expand beyond the glow of summer lanterns and street lamps.
The moon rises slowly,
But steadily.
The smell of citronella candles mingles with the sweet,
Smoky aroma of barbecue sauce caramelizing on a grill and the night perfume of periwinkle hydrangeas.
The camaraderie among neighbors is palpable,
With groups huddled together,
Sharing stories and enjoying the relaxed pace of the evening.
Conversations are light and warm-hearted,
Led by sincere inquiries about one another's lives.
And in this moment,
You feel how connected humanity is.
There are so many shared experiences among us,
That we may always recognize if we care to.
The mood is light and carefree,
And everyone seems to be savoring the simple blessings of summer.
As the night progresses,
The energy begins to wane.
The music softens,
And the laughter fades into a gentle murmur.
Parents and babysitters start to gather up the youngest children,
Soon to be adorned in pajamas,
Tucked into bed with sleepy yawns that lead to the deepest sleep and most tender nights.
Older kids,
Their faces still aglow from the evening's activities and the kiss of the summer's sun,
Ride their bikes slowly through the moonlit streets or indulge in staying up a little past their bedtime.
Savoring the last moments of summer's magic with a dip in the pool,
You assist your neighbors in cleaning up,
Noticing how fast the block is transformed back into a sleepy cul-de-sac.
You return to your home,
Satiated in more ways than you could describe.
You simply feel good,
At ease,
Free of worry or concerns,
With a lightness in your lungs that follows every deep breath of the soothing night air.
You walk up the paved driveway to your mid-century ranch-style home and insert the key into the brass lock to push open the door into the foyer.
The interior is a warm contrast to the cool night air and you walk around opening windows and doors as a cross breeze makes its way through the screens.
The home has a den-like quality,
With rich amber wood-paneled walls and a brick-enclosed fireplace.
The living room features typical 80s decor,
Plush deep-cushioned sofas in earthy tones,
Patterned fuzzy rugs,
And brass accents that gleam softly under the glow of crystal sconces.
As you make your way through the house,
You pass by the retro elements that define the era.
There's a large wooden entertainment center,
With a bulky TV and a record player.
This single piece is larger than an armoire.
A beige rotary phone rests on a side table,
While the kitchen is adorned with checkerboard linoleum flooring and appliances in pastels and earth tones.
Through the sliding glass doors,
You catch a glimpse of the patio.
Stepping outside,
You are greeted by the soft illumination of plastic lights strung above,
Shaped like pineapples,
Casting a cheerful glow over the outdoor space.
The patio leads to a linai,
Where the scent of freshly cut grass mingles with the faint aroma of roses and hydrangeas.
The air is filled with the gentle hum of crickets and the occasional flash of fireflies darting above the manicured lawn and a vegetable garden,
Where tomato vines and leafy greens create a patchwork of verdant hues,
Dappled with prismatic dew.
A cedar-paneled changing room adjacent to the linai offers a nook to slip into your swimwear.
Your black bathing suit features a popular geometric pattern in bold colors.
Stepping back outside,
Your bare feet land on the concrete deck that gives way to bricks that lead to the kidney-shaped in-ground pool.
The water gleams under the soft ambient light,
Its surface shimmering like aquamarine gemstones.
You ascend the diving board,
Feeling it give beneath you with an easy bounce.
With a graceful leap,
You plunge into the pool,
The water enveloping you,
From the crown of your head to the soles of your feet.
It's pleasantly lukewarm,
Warmer than the air,
And you feel a wave of relaxation wash over you as you float on your back and take in the stars and swaying pineapple lights.
No matter where you are in time,
The awe-inspiring expanse of stars is a magical scene that unfolds.
Feeling so light and relaxed,
You continue to float,
Gently kicking a foot or two or gliding your hands to stay in the center of the soothing water.
The distant sounds of the Summer Olympics on the TV come from your neighbor's windows to the left,
While the soft sounds of a radio DJ comes from your neighbor's to the right,
As he offers a preview of romantic late-night ballads about to play.
You lose track of time,
Simply drifting and enjoying this perfect summer night in 84.
As a heavy wave of tiredness creeps in,
You swim to the stairs and climb out into the night air to wrap yourself in an oversized white towel featuring the Olympic rings.
You wrap it around your body tightly and head indoors.
You make your way to the bathroom that features plush bath mats in baby blue,
Dark wooden cabinets,
A wall of mirrors,
And a small crystal chandelier.
The toilet paper is as blue as the shower curtain in an era where color is embraced in every way.
Beneath the hot water of the shower,
The faint scent of chlorine is replaced with the aromatic rich lather of ivory soap.
The day's memories flash through your mind as the water cleanses you and inspires a deep sigh.
After your shower,
You dry off and change into your soft-worn cotton pajamas,
Feeling the fabric's familiarity and comfort.
You make your way down a long carpeted corridor to the main bedroom.
The room is adorned with wood-paneled walls,
A patterned wallpaper,
And thick shag carpeting in a muted shade of gold.
A king-sized bed sits in the center,
Covered with a quilted bedspread in shades of peach and teal.
Geometric shapes and floral patterns mingling in a distinctly 80s fashion.
A half-dozen pillows in matching shams are piled high against the wooden headboard.
The bedside tables are cluttered with memorabilia,
A Rubik's Cube,
A Polaroid camera,
And a stack of cassette tapes next to a portable Walkman.
A large boxy TV with rabbit ears sits on a wooden dresser.
Its screen reflecting the glow of the bedside lamp.
A radio alarm clock with a digital green display casts the pillows in its ambient light.
You close the door and turn off the lights,
Reveling in the only room in the house with an air conditioner that faintly hums.
You sink into the bed,
Beneath the crisp sheets and atop the fluffy pillows,
Appreciating their coolness against your cleansed skin.
You close your eyes,
Piecing together the most joy-filled and heartwarming glimpses from the day,
As you float on the promise of neon dreams,
Vibrantly revealing themselves to the deep of the night.
Your favorite 80s song seems to loop in your mind,
But is gradually drowned out by the air conditioner's soporific hum,
As you drift and let go.
The sensory memories from 1984 wrap you in a comforting embrace,
Guiding you gently into a peaceful slumber,
And reminding you fully how possible it is for everyone to feel connected and come together joyfully.
And with these heartwarming feelings,
You surrender,
Finding hope,
Finding bliss,
Finding sleep,
It's time to dream away.
