Sleep story · water, slow
A boat at anchor (a sleep story), if you are doing this in the middle of the day — for a racing mind
A small harbour, a rope that creaks, and a boat that moves about a metre in the night.
Lights off. Press begin and let the story read itself to you, at the pace of sleep.
Screen on or off — we suggest dimming it, or simply closing your eyes after the first paragraph.
The story, in full
The hull moves against the water in a slow, regular way. The water slaps against the side in twos and threes. The boat is anchored in eight metres of water, and the chain makes a sound as it moves.
The bunk is narrow, and you have the whole of it. Nothing out here is in a rush, and neither are you. The rope to the anchor creaks as the boat turns very slightly.
Your chest can be still now. Notice your hips, wide and settled.
Let your forehead go cool and smooth. Let your hands be completely still.
Everything in the cabin is stowed, so nothing rattles. The blanket smells faintly of salt and diesel.
Notice the places where your body touches the bed, and let them be heavy. Feel the back of your knees soften into the bed.
Let the mattress take all of it. Let your upper arms fall wherever gravity puts them.
Through the hatch you can see one star, and then the mast crossing it. The harbour is behind you, with three lights still on and the rest dark.
Notice the difference between a thought and the space around it. Notice how you're sitting. Adjust if you need to. Then settle again.
Let your feet get heavy first. Heavier than they need to be. Your fingers can stop doing anything at all.
Almost nothing to do now. Slower now.
Softer. The words can start to blur now. Leave it there.
Midday is an underrated time for this.
The room is dark, the day is finished, and nothing is required of you.
14 paragraphs, roughly 2 minutes read slowly aloud. Written for water, slow.
If this story does not settle you, try The night train (a sleep story), when you are cold and want to be warm — for a restless night, A fire dying down (a sleep story), when you are doing this for the first time — for waking too early or A caravan by the sea (a sleep story), when you have just finished work — for the hours after a late shift.