Sleep story · water, slow
A boat at anchor — a slow story for the end of the day, when you are on your own — for the hours after a late shift
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 boat is anchored in eight metres of water, and the chain makes a sound as it moves. There is a torch hanging by the hatch, and a chart folded on the table. The bunk is narrow, and you have the whole of it.
The blanket smells faintly of salt and diesel. The harbour is behind you, with three lights still on and the rest dark. The hull moves against the water in a slow, regular way.
Notice your hips, wide and settled. Let your calves spread out and flatten.
Let the mattress take all of it. Let your forearms get heavy and warm.
The rope to the anchor creaks as the boat turns very slightly. Through the hatch you can see one star, and then the mast crossing it.
Feel your belly rise and fall without any help from you. Let the pillow take the whole weight of your head.
Let your toes stop holding on to anything. Let your shoulder blades spread out and drop.
The cabin is low, and you have to bend your head to get into the bunk. Nothing out here is in a rush, and neither are you.
Notice how you're sitting. Adjust if you need to. Then settle again. If you're distracted by a sound, let the sound be the object for a moment.
Feel the weight of your head on the pillow. Let your thumbs rest where they landed.
You can stop listening properly. Slower.
Leave it there. Let the room get slightly further away. Let it all get further away.
Being on your own is not required, but it does make this simpler.
Let this be the last thing you listen to.
14 paragraphs, roughly 2 minutes read slowly aloud. Written for water, slow.
If this story does not settle you, try Sleep story: a garden in the rain, if you are doing this instead of scrolling — for a racing mind, A garden in the rain — a slow story for the end of the day, when you are not sure this will work — for waking too early or The night train — a slow story for the end of the day, when the day has been loud — for an overtired night.