The Forest Cabin | Rainy Sleep Story

You are listening to "The Forest Cabin," a calm bedtime story set in the boreal forest of Canada. Enjoy a walk through the fog beneath the closed crown forest as you commune with nature. You follow a stream to a charming cabin as the rain begins to fall. The ethereal fog wraps around the cabin and rain streams down the skylights as you cuddle with a beloved pet in a cozy nook in the loft and fall asleep. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Tonight's calm sleep story for grown-ups will take you on a carefree journey towards deep and relaxing sleep.

You are listening to The Forest Cabin,

A bedtime story set in the boreal forest of Canada.

Explore the enchanting,

Foggy forest of conifers,

Rushing streams,

Waterfalls,

And bogs.

In a timeless communion with nature,

You follow a path to a charming cabin deep within the woods.

Soft rain falls on the forest floor,

And you retreat into a sleeping nook in the loft,

And fall asleep with a beloved pet.

It's time to dream away.

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

I am Michelle,

And as you listen,

Think of me as an old,

Nurturing friend who is your advocate for peace and sleep.

You deserve to be comfortable and to feel safe as you cross over into the respite and dreams that wait in your sleeping life.

My words will conjure beautiful,

Soothing imagery as you let go of the day and all thoughts that interfere with your tranquility.

Let this story elevate your mood and remind you that the world is a beautiful place.

You are free to fill in the details in whatever way most appeals to you.

Let go of my voice and fall asleep at any point you like.

Cultivate and customize this adventure of your mind by using the gift of your imagination.

Let's take this time for a brief guided meditation to better prepare the sanctuary of your body and mind for rest.

You are always free to skip ahead.

Who may find that this helps you relax further?

Open your mouth and yawn,

Then sigh.

Every yawn brings your body deeper into a state of relaxation.

It sends a direct signal to your cells to let go of anxiety and stand down.

Every sigh releases tension.

When you have exhaled all you can,

Slowly sip in a deep breath of air through your nose.

Imagine the air is misty,

Aromatized by the rich,

Mentholated notes of pine trees and the sweet tobacco fragrance of the forest floor.

The air is damp and clean.

It warms in your nostrils and travels to your lungs with healing,

Restorative powers.

Open your mouth and yawn,

Then sigh audibly.

Feel the ease in your lungs as your chest sinks and you expel every last bit of carbon dioxide.

Enjoy two more rounds at your own pace.

Imagine you are surrounded by hundreds of trees,

Benefiting from the symbiotic exchange of carbon dioxide for oxygen.

As the trees inhale carbon dioxide and release oxygen for you to enjoy.

Visualize the air molecules floating through space like broad ribbons flowing through the tree and flowing through you.

You feel rooted,

Strong,

And in harmony.

As you inhale,

Yawn,

Sigh,

Each breath allows you to take in a bit more air,

Expanding beyond what you may have thought possible.

Feeling light,

Spacious,

And carefree.

Each sigh helps you sink deeper and deeper into the support of your bed,

Reminding you so many things have aligned for you to be here,

Right now,

In this haven for comfort that you have earned and deserve.

Return your breath to normal when you are ready.

Notice how different you feel from moments ago and with this energy of peace,

You are free to imagine every detail and sensation in the Boreal Forest.

It's time for the story to begin.

The Boreal Forest in Canada comprises a third of the forest that rings around the upper portion of the Northern Hemisphere.

It expands from the easternmost fringe of Newfoundland to the Yukon.

The vast forest is known for its canopy closure,

Where one may find refuge and protection beneath the lush crowns of conifer trees.

The forest begins to thin before becoming tundra to the south.

The forest is thick and full of life.

On sunny days,

Tiny slivers of gilded light slip through the needles,

And patches of the forest floor light up like enchanted pots of gold.

You walk on a winding path as a low-lying blanket of fog slithers through the forest.

Temperature is mild,

The air is damp,

And you are dressed in the most comfortable clothes for exploration.

The fragrant notes of balsam fir,

White and black spruce,

And jack pine dominate the misty air.

Each breath feels cleansing,

Slightly mentholated,

As the air is sharp and sweet.

The notes of balsam fir,

The royalty of spruce fragrances,

Are the strongest with their heady elixir balsamic vinegar,

Jam,

And medicinal camphor.

As you walk through the wooded area,

You can imagine the sage voices of aborigines from centuries ago.

They evoked the spirit of the woods.

You hear their whispers.

Perhaps you came for healing,

Perhaps you came for adventure,

Perhaps you came because you need to connect with the slower pulse of the forest.

A sacred place where modern souls can go to catch their breath,

A breath they hadn't even realized they lost track of.

And as you wander the forest,

You find you are lost,

But not in a scary way,

In a way that amplifies your confidence as you trust your intuition to guide you.

No maps or roads are needed.

You feel a tug in your solar plexus that guides you,

And when you make a wrong turn,

The hair stands up on your skin but you know you need to go in a different way.

You revel in the curiosity you experienced as a child when much of life was enjoyed for the first time.

And in this forest,

Many encounters feel new again,

Or as if they are happening for the first time.

This brings you a tingling feeling of aliveness and hope.

The persistent swooshing sounds of a rushing stream become louder with each step.

Branches and twigs crunch beneath your feet,

Preventing your comfortable shoes from sinking into the damp,

Recently thawed.

A blue spotted salamander curls up on a shimmering ebony rock that juts out of the rusty orange pine needle carpet.

Its appearance is an indication of winter's end.

The harsh,

Cold months in the taiga spend much of the year,

And the animals of the forest come out to celebrate the mild days like today,

Even though the day carries the threat of rain.

You approach a white-capped stream overflowing with chilly water from melted ice and snow that once coated the forest in a winter wonderland.

The silvery blue water cascades downhill,

Flowing over a jagged cliff in a rushing waterfall.

White,

Gauzy mist off the stream blends with the low-lying fog.

The dreamy droplets land on your hands and face,

And you move slower,

Careful and with precision,

The velvety light brown antlers of an elk through the fog.

You watch the grand creature languidly sip from the cold stream.

His thick neck rises,

And he snorts.

His breath condenses in the air,

And he turns his head to make eye contact with you.

You connect for a moment before he dashes off into the woods.

His thunderous hooves cause the earth around the stream to shake.

You are more in tune with the vibrations of the forest after this encounter.

As you walk farther away from the waterfall,

Current in the stream becomes softer.

The gently lapping waves soothe you,

Trickling over algae-covered stones smoothed by time.

The rhythmic flutter of pine branches caught up in the soft breeze cause you to feel light,

More aware of the air.

Birds fly from one feathery branch to the next,

Exploring the afternoon hours with the awareness of a rainstorm on the way.

The animals of the boreal forest are as capable of predicting changes in the weather as the greatest technology.

They rely on their innate wisdom to guide them.

Pieces of sky appear through the closed crown forest.

The rich purple-gray swaths of clouds promise the rain will soon begin.

The air becomes sharper as the wind changes direction and speed unexpectedly.

You feel in your bones that you are close to home,

Deep in this forest where brave souls venture to disconnect,

Connect at the same time.

You continue down the path and come upon various shapes formed out of pinecones.

It's the first indicator of human life.

You have encountered on this walk a heart crescent moon and a few stars formed from pinecones of all sizes.

Pinecones coated in a thick,

Mint-green layer of dried pitch cause a smile to form on your face.

The art of aborigines started appearing in the caves of the forest centuries past.

Humans have always seemed to have the impulse to recreate the natural beauty around them with their own embellishments and creative flair.

Perhaps we do it in an attempt to say,

I was here.

The fog thickens when you arrive at your cabin.

Windows run from the floor to the A-frame ceiling so you can peer into the comforting elements of the cabin while outdoor and take in the majesty of nature while comforted inside.

You walk to the woodshed where a family of raccoons found refuge throughout the winter months.

They are out exploring the forest.

When you approach the shed to gather an armful of splintered logs,

As you balance the cut wood on your hip,

You are reminded of your strength and health once taking them for granted.

Hours before sunset,

The forest has become quite dark,

Another indication the storm is near.

Few drops of rain fall on the needled branches in a gentle staccato beat,

Only perceptible because the forest is so quiet and still.

You walk to the front door of the cabin.

Your feet land on a doormat that contains a quote from Thoreau,

All good things are wild and free.

You pause on the mat and turn around,

Looking out at the forest,

Appreciate the deep,

Resounding freedom that rises from your feet and travels to your heart center and face.

Being this free causes your face to tingle as your cheeks try to resist a smile or laugh at the pure elation that comes with being untethered to modern life and responsibilities beyond your survival.

With comfort,

Glists are replaced with valuable observation.

Shallow breaths are replaced with the deepest breaths of cleansing air you've taken in some time.

The rain comes down heavier,

Finding its way to the earth,

Trickling down branches and falling with loud splats on the mossy stones and sweet forest floor.

Unapologetic,

The raindrops land free,

Clear,

Purposeful,

And ready to fulfill their destiny.

Your body becomes tired as you feel the effects of the long walk and the weight of the logs you carry.

Your eyes become heavy and tired,

Invited by the early darkness brought on by the storm.

Your mind knows it's time to relax and hunker down.

These encouraging moments for rest are delivered often from nature when deep within the forest.

You open the door and step into the cabin.

The wooden floorboards creak beneath your feet as you slip out of your wet shoes and step into mule slippers.

You carry the logs to the wall of windows and place them on a slate bluestone floor beneath a suspended ivory fireplace.

The dry,

Sweet air of the cabin makes you aware of how cool your skin became outside.

The ethereal fog wraps around the cabin and rises up the windows.

You place pieces of tinder into the suspended fireplace,

Its body round and reminiscent of an astronaut's helmet.

You strike a long match against the stone floor and a flame appears,

Filling the air with a hint of sulfur.

The small,

Dry wood catches fast,

Crackling and popping.

The noise disrupts your sleeping pet,

Who rests in a bed by the windows.

They rise to welcome you home.

The sweet animal presses against your side.

As you add a log to the fire,

Orange flames lick the round interior of the fireplace and pour honeyed light onto the open room.

The A-frame roof mirrors the triangular tops of coniferous trees.

The lofty ceilings give you a sense of freedom with all the space that they offer.

Rain falls on the skylights and streams down the windows.

Your pet stretches in a downward dog position and then looks to you longingly,

Telepathically communicating.

It's time to be fed.

You walk through the spacious living room to the open concept kitchen.

Windows behind a farmhouse sink look out on the stream.

Some days,

A gray-eyed lynx will sip from the stream when it is unaware of your presence,

But on rainy spells,

She is rarely seen.

You remove a clear glass canister of your pet's favorite food and put it into their dish.

You refresh their water and place both ceramic bowls on a mat by a sliding glass door that leads to a deck.

Occasionally,

The raccoon family residing in the woodshed will wander to the porch and curiously peer in at your pet.

There is mutual respect between you and your animal neighbors in the forest,

A coexistence made harmonious over time.

In the forest,

You witness the abundance of beauty and resources on this planet as your beloved pet enjoys their dinner.

You prepare yourself a cup of tea made from cinnamon bark,

White willow bark,

Licorice root,

Marshmallow root,

Fennel,

Ginger,

And orange.

The sweet,

Woodsy,

And spicy tea is the perfect elixir to warm you as the weather changes.

The water inside a delicate glass kettle with a long,

Old-fashioned spout comes to a full boil.

This simple ritual always warms your heart and makes you smile.

The rolling bubbles in the kettle remind you of how quickly something can transform.

You place the tea bag in the deep base of a ceramic mug so large you often hold it with both hands.

You raise the kettle and the water pours out of the slender,

Long spout in an elegant stream,

Splashing on the tea bag as water splashes on the earth flowing out of the gutters around the cabin.

Steam rises out of the mug,

Carrying fragrant notes of cinnamon and orange.

You close your eyes and inhale,

And as you do,

You become more aware of the sounds of the crackling fire and falling rain.

As you take in a deep,

Conscious breath,

Your slippered feet balance on the tiled floor,

Rooted like the trees,

As your chest rises and falls.

You imagine the trees breathing in the cool,

Rainy air along with you in a constant,

Symbiotic exchange that happens whether you think about it or not.

When you savor moments like this,

You are reminded of how connected everything is,

How life goes on whether you think about it or worry about it.

This makes you feel less alone,

Vital,

A part of something majestic and awe-inspiring.

You open your eyes as your pet has finished their meal and waits for you to accompany them to the couch to enjoy the fire.

You finish arranging the tea to your preferences and bring it with a small snack to the living room.

The cabin is decorated in a way that most appeals to your aesthetic preferences.

Throw blankets and soft rugs,

Supply pops of your favorite colors and patterns.

Old and modern elements come together to create a timeless,

Comforting home.

And no matter where you go in the cabin,

You are privy to another beautiful view of the surrounding forest.

You settle in a corner of the couch and curl your legs beneath you as your pet hops onto a blanket next to you.

You sip the tea,

Noticing every note that hits your tongue.

Some notes linger longer than others,

Taking you through an array of memories and feelings with each flavor.

The cinnamon conjures thoughts of baking and autumnal experiences.

The orange brings brightness and memories of sunny days.

The tea,

Like so many things you have experienced,

Is simple and complex at the same time.

And you are the one who decides how deep you go into the exploration of these simple,

Pleasant sensations and experiences.

Your attention drifts to a built-in wooden shelf where photos of your favorite people and memories are showcased in an eclectic array of frames.

In the center of the shelf is an 8x10 image of you in a silver frame.

The photo reveals an expression on your face.

It captures the essence of who you are,

Captures the version of you that you would most want to be remembered as.

In a matter what is happening in your life,

You can look at this image and be snapped out of a constant stream of thoughts,

Taken away from your concerns,

And reminded of who you truly are and who you wish to be.

You rise and add another log to the fire.

The rain falls steadily.

A few pine branches brush against the cabin,

Caught up in the wind,

Lulling you into a state of deep peace and gratitude for this cozy home within the woods.

You finish the last sip of tea and a sweet licorice and tangy orange oil linger on your tongue.

You stand to stoke the glowing silver,

White,

And fiery orange embers.

Sparks dance up the ivory metal flue.

You inhale the smell of burnt wood,

Awash with comfort.

Your pet stirs and rises to follow you as you walk across the main room to a set of spiral stairs that lead to the loft.

Your pillowy slippers land on the stairs,

And you count as you go,

Feeling heavier and more tired with each step.

1,

2,

3,

4,

5,

6.

Your pet follows patiently behind.

7,

8,

9,

10,

11,

12.

You pause to look out onto the lofty space and the rainy landscape behind the windows.

Whenever you ascend the stairs to the loft,

You think of birds nesting on the branches and squirrels and raccoons tucking into hollows in trees.

They do so at your eye level.

You step into the loft and retreat down a narrow hall that leads to a cozy sleeping nook.

Flush mattress is low to the floor,

Positioned in the center of the A-frame ceiling that rises above the bed like a tent.

Tiny golden globe lights wrap around the four-paned window that looks out onto the stream.

On summer nights,

You open the window to listen to the stream as it lulls you to sleep.

Sometimes the song of a loon will reverberate through the woods as she announces to her mate that she is still here.

But tonight,

The soporific rain and soft wind offer the ideal soundtrack for sleeping and dreaming.

You change into comfortable bed clothes as your pet settles at the end of the bed.

You are so sleepy and in a trance-like state that makes you feel as if you are drifting through a dream.

Before your head even sinks into the pillows,

You turn off the lights and climb into the king-sized bed.

Beneath the heavy,

Fluffy comforter,

You feel protected and safe.

You look up out the window over the bed to see the silhouette of pines and steady rain.

So grateful to be dry and warm.

So blessed to live in a time in history where cabins like this exist.

Your eyes close and you ride on the sound waves of the rain as they usher you to sleep.

You surrender with a soft transition from the quiet night to the pleasure of deep rest.

And just when you thought you could not find a deeper sense of stillness and tranquility than what you have experienced in the Boreal Forest,

Sleep arrives to take you deeper.

Finding peace,

Finding stillness,

Finding bliss,

Finding sleep.

It's time to dream away.

Reviews

I live in a forest. This is a perfect description. So relaxing.

Love this one! One of my favorite sleep stories! Thank you so much! 😴💤

Loved listening to this meditation. Thank you so much.

Like all of your stories Michelle.
I never hear the end of them.

Thank you
Joe Sokolov

Thanks for another beautiful story!
They are just the best!

That was so beautiful! I actually listened to the end and the I fell right to sleep! Thank you! I feel such peace after listening to this 😊😊🌸🌸🌈🌈🥰

Beautiful (as always). Love & blessings to you.🙏💜🐾

Another beautiful sleep story & I heard most of it listening a 2nd time. I felt so at peace in the forest. Thank you, Michelle.

Best one yet! Forest, animals, rain, coziness…..ahhhh, thanks Michelle

Another wonderful story! I didn’t hear the end! Thank you and Bless You