The Pumpkin Cottage: A Cozy Autumn Story For Sleep

Fall into a deep sleep and overcome insomnia with this guided sleep meditation and bedtime story will guide you through the crisp autumn air of a forest before you find a magical pumpkin cottage where you may get cozy, let all your cares drift away, and fall asleep. Unlock the limitless powers of your imagination and feel free to color your dreamscape with whatever feels best for you. You've earned it. It's time to dream away.

Transcript

Greetings and welcome to Michelle's Sanctuary.

You are listening to The Pumpkin Cottage,

A guided meditation and sleep hypnosis that will take you on a journey through an enchanted hamlet,

Traveling under the jewel-toned kaleidoscope of autumn leaves to find healing and respite for the night.

And now find a place where you may safely bed down without interruption,

In a time that requires none of your attention or concerns of what has been or what will be.

To a time and place where you may cuddle up and gently drift to sleep as you listen to this relaxing escape for the mind.

And as you are listening,

You may think of my voice as the voice of an old friend,

A familiar voice that you may trust as your guide,

Here to facilitate the transition towards deep relaxation and sleep.

Bringing back any of your thoughts that may wander,

As thoughts are known to do,

To comforting visualizations that will help you ease into a deeper state of relaxation.

Knowing that you have earned this time for inner peace and even hibernation from anything that has happened or may happen.

Knowing that right now is where you may fully invest your attention.

And whenever you hear me say the words,

Right now,

You find your body becomes more relaxed as you come back to the present moment.

Feeling safe and warm right now,

You may focus on your breath as you take a heavy sigh,

Feeling the air cascade out of your body,

Audibly if you like,

Perhaps even letting that sigh turn into a yawn.

Because now is the perfect time for you to yawn away without judgment,

Giving yourself the okay,

It is okay to be tired,

To just let it out.

And focusing on your breath,

You may inhale for 1,

2,

3,

And exhale for 3,

2,

1.

And inhale for 1,

2,

3,

And exhale for 3,

2,

1.

And one last time,

Inhale for 1,

2,

3,

Maybe holding your breath at the top before letting it out for 3,

2,

1.

Now,

You may go back to a normal,

Relaxed breath as you take note of the gentle shift within your body,

How you may feel a deeper sense of relaxation than even moments ago.

And as you feel yourself sinking deeper into the bed below you,

You may take note of the walls that surround you and offer protection from the elements and a safe space for you to tap into the deepest parts of your imagination.

Because your imagination is rich and alive and able to transport you wherever you wish to go,

Whenever you wish this to be.

Because it is fun,

And you deserve to have some fun,

To enjoy the lightness in your heart center that comes from being a little silly,

From being carefree during new experiences.

And though many times throughout our lives we may have been told to grow up,

This implication that you must abandon playful endeavors came from the outside world.

But right now,

We are going to delve into your interior world,

A special place that is kept just for you and where you may keep protected and safe and unencumbered.

Allow yourself to go deeper and deeper down,

Imagining your lungs inhaling crisp autumn night air as you visualize yourself deep within a forest,

Watching as your feet crunch upon the fallen leaves of deciduous trees on a path beneath a canopy of trees.

The stars sparkle above as if dancing around the full glowing moon that illuminates your path.

This path feels familiar and safe,

And while you could rely on the brilliant light of the moon alone to guide you,

The trees on this path have been adorned with white Christmas lights and glass mosaic Moroccan lanterns illuminated from burning candles within.

These festive lights further enhancing the saturated hues of mahogany and amber and orange leaves that float from high above before gracefully landing on the forest path.

And you inhale the cool air,

Taking in the peaty and woodsy aroma,

So rich and intoxicating,

And occurring only during the season.

Continuing forward,

You take note of the warm and soft sweater that envelops you,

Keeping you warm from a crisp breeze that wafts through the trees,

And you find yourself so connected to right now as you inhale and exhale,

Noticing how the trees begin to thin out and you are coming closer to a hamlet that rests on a hillside clearing.

But this township is like none other that you have ever experienced before,

Illuminated by gaslights that glow a golden gleam that causes dancing shadows on the stoned path through the town.

Arranged like a camp of cabins,

This hamlet is occupied by cottages that have been carved out of enormous pumpkins,

All illuminated from the inside out from fires that burn within,

Giving off a sweet and smoky aroma of caramelized pumpkin.

And with carved out windows in each of these seasonal cottages,

The entire town is aglow with warmth and a sense of enchantment.

A rabbit runs across the path and you realize that this magical village is only occupied by you and animals of the forest.

There is a peace and stillness,

And you are curious as you approach each cottage.

You realize that above the open door is an inscribed theme in cursive.

You note that each door has been individually carved to address certain issues.

You walk along,

Passing each pumpkin cottage,

Knowing you may choose whichever treatment you most need and desire right now.

The first home is engraved with the word Peace that is illuminated upon it,

And the next with the word Strength.

Another says Healing.

The next two cottages are inscribed with the word Happiness and the word Abundance.

As you continue on,

You find one last cottage for dreaming and manifesting.

And with these options for different themed cottages,

You feel so welcome and free with a range of choice to personalize a night's sleep as you so desire.

And so you choose the cottage that calls to you most,

As only you know what you most need and desire on this wondrous night.

Walking to the steps that lead you to your chosen cottage and entering the orange glow of the open yet cozy space.

In this one-room cottage,

There is a plush bed next to a fire in the center of the room.

This bed is covered in a velvety soft quilt and piled upon it are plush pillows.

And the entire roof is open air,

Looking up at the night sky as the moon shines into the room.

And you watch the trail of smoke float away from the fire into the crisp night sky above.

You find soft bedclothes folded neatly on the bed and you change into them.

Feeling them hug around your body perfectly,

Making you feel all the more ready to snuggle into the bed for the night.

In whatever theme this room offers you,

Whatever intention has been set for the night,

You feel it come over you in a gentle unseen wave.

Feeling encapsulated by the glowing orb of a cottage in this much-deserved place and time for respite.

And so you climb into the bed and go under the velvety covers as your body feels warm and as your face and lungs take in the crisp night air,

Sweetened by the seasonal smells.

Watching the flames flicker inside the room's fire,

Hypnotic and becoming like a movie screen,

Playing back to you memories that bring you bliss and contentment.

In one scene,

You are being praised by someone who loves you.

The scene set upon the golden flame.

And in the next,

You are standing tall and proud,

Having completed a goal.

And in the next dancing scene,

You are in a loving embrace with someone very special and dear to you.

And your eyes become heavy as you are feeling this tiredness come over you.

Looking one last time at the glittering stars up in the night's sky.

And the glowing full moon giving off a parental energy of security.

As it has been something you have relied on all your life to be there for you as you go to sleep.

And you inhale and exhale right now.

The rich fragrance of the earth this time of year,

Mixed with the smell of a burning fire,

Triggers a deep primal connection to your life and this moment.

Feeling as if a warm orb,

Much like this warm pumpkin cottage,

Is glowing within your solar plexus.

Noticing as the occasional leaf floats down outside the windows from the trees of the town,

Creating a calming rustle.

Ready to close your eyes and let go of my voice at any point.

Free to drift deeper and deeper down.

Taking a moment to experience the personalized emotions and intentions that you chose when you entered this cottage for the night.

There is nothing else for you to do.

You've done all that you need to do as you nestle down in the magical hamlet where dreams may come and fulfill all your desires on this special night.

This night that is designed for all of your whims and specifications.

Your body full of warmth and peace,

Inhaling and exhaling right now.

Noticing how deeply in tune you feel with the beauty around you in this special place for solitude and healing and rest.

And this orange glow of the cottage may allow you to ponder the orange glow of the sacral chakra located in the pelvic area and where the Buddhists believe you may connect to the deepest stillness and wisdom and voice of the self.

And even though you may not subscribe to these beliefs,

There is no harm in focusing on your own stillness and wisdom and inner guide as you inhale and exhale.

Connecting to your own creativity and vitality as you are very much alive and well right now.

Letting yourself drift,

Feeling as light and free as a falling maple leaf as it blows in the crisp autumn's breeze at night.

Going wherever feels right.

Wherever you may find yourself letting go,

Knowing that a leaf will never resist the flow,

It surrenders.

And it feels so good to just surrender right now.

Nothing left to resist or fight or push against.

You are letting go.

You are drifting and floating,

Feeling warm and content and easing towards sleep.

The leaves rustling and echoing through the depth of the surrounding hamlet.

The stars twinkling so brightly as you drift down,

Down.

Knowing sleep is so dear.

And if you are already asleep,

You're so very at ease and content.

And if you are still listening,

You feel the heaviness and tiredness overwhelming your body.

And at any time,

You can release your mind from engaging and cross the bridge to your sleeping life.

You are well.

You are alive.

And with each breath,

A gentle easing.

Breathing with more ease.

Breathing more effortlessly than you have all day.

And when a new day comes,

Which it always does,

You will have these tools and this memory of an autumn night beneath the stars and harvest moon in the welcome orange glow of a pumpkin cottage.

That exists in the most magnificent part of your imagination.

And you will be able to conjure the feeling of being contained,

Of being safe in a cottage with intentions inscribed upon it.

Intentions that you have chosen and find so easy to connect to.

You will carry with you the energy of a magical night that has allowed your spirit and your heart to re-engage with the beauty and majesty in the world.

It is always there if you simply open your eyes and embrace the moment.

But right now,

There is nothing for you to do.

You have nothing that needs tending.

It is safe to relax and let go.

Right now,

You may drift to the sweetest of sleep,

To the kindest of dreams.

Free to imagine the best possible scenarios and live out the best possible dreams behind your heavy,

Closed eyelids.

Just drifting,

Your mind and thoughts like an early morning fog,

Hazy and lucid,

Blurring to ease you down to sleep,

To a healing night of rest and release.

Letting go.

Such a sweet surrender.

Knowing that all will be okay.

Detached from the waking world and drifting to the pleasurable,

Unconscious dreamland where you will find a vacation for the mind and body.

I am going to count you down.

Feeling heavier and going deeper down with each count.

Drifting away,

Floating to sleep.

You are safe.

You are at ease.

You are blessed.

You are on your way.

You are finding sleep.

Drifting to sleep.

Good night.

Reviews

Will be listening to this one again! I had an amazing restful night last night. Much gratitude!

Wonderful story, relaxing and peaceful. Thank you so much, Michelle, for the breathing meditations and for telling your stories in such an understanding and caring way, as if you’re right here in my room with me, helping me along the way of the often difficult journey to sleep.

Thank you! Perfect as I fell off to sleep! 💕🙏😴 Soft and gentle , will revisit !🌸

Tonight i needed the happiness cottage...

Tonight i remembered her pride in me at how far I had come so many times...

Tonight i remembered her embrace (like so many), like the hug at the Tower theater (a perfect puzzle) or her hand in my hand during LA Story...

Tonight I remember the pelvic chakra connection we shared, like my hand upon her at the Inn at the Tides or my eyes opening up her sight as we meditated across from each her at Morgan Oak...

Tonight I remembered her...and i was happy.

Thank you, Michele.

Unique, wonderful and imaginary place to find a comfy place to fall asleep.

Love this any time of the year!

I woke up in the night and this sent me back to sleep. I made it through the walk in the woods to the cottage and the crackling, cozy fire. Another wonderful, relaxing story. Thank you.

I love your stories! Thank you for helping me relax yo sleep, not matter what chaos is in my life. 🙏🏻

Another cozy one! Love it! 😴😴

I love it. Also it always makes me go to sleep 🛌💤 😴

Wow! I loved this meditation! Every night I listen to a different sleep story, and each one is a beautiful adventure. Thank you, Michelle! I have not tried all your meditations, which one would you recommend next?

Great little story, lovely crackling fire sound too, I could almost smell The wood smoke too… Thank you for sharing! 😊

I may have to listen to this in the day just to see what it is about as I keep falling asleep in minutes when I listen at night!!
Beautiful x

Enchanting and soothing. :) I reveled in the setting, voice, and especially, each resuscitation of “right now.” (I could not, however, understand the name of the fourth pumpkin cottage!;P)

This is my new favorite. Thank you

If I could give this BEAUTIFUL Meditation 10 Shining Stars 🌟, I most definitely would❣️

Autumn is my Favorite Season of the year and this Seasonal Bedtime Guided Meditation with background music, followed by more of the same BEAUTIFUL, Calming and Relaxing Music has gone to the Top
Of my “Bedtime Favorites”❣️

Thank you for this BEAUTIFUL Meditation❣️🙏🏻💕

Fell right to sleep I’m sad I didn’t get to hear the rest of the story... will try tomorrow! Lol

I love all your sleep stories! Bookmarked and followed.🙏🏼🕊

Wonderful! Loved the whole concept. Bookmarking, will return often. 💕💖💕

Love these stories! I especially like the natural sounds in the background and the calm rhythmic speaking 🎃🙏🏻🙏🏻