Sleep story · water, slow
A boat at anchor — a slow story for the end of the day, when you have been putting it off — for jet lag
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 harbour is behind you, with three lights still on and the rest dark. Through the hatch you can see one star, and then the mast crossing it. 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. Everything in the cabin is stowed, so nothing rattles.
Feel the top of your head relax into the pillow. Let your thumbs rest where they landed.
Your jaw can drop slightly. Let your teeth part. Let your feet get heavy first. Heavier than they need to be.
The hull moves against the water in a slow, regular way. The blanket smells faintly of salt and diesel.
Your eyelids can be too heavy to open, and that is fine. Let your upper arms fall wherever gravity puts them.
If a worry shows up, name it quietly and let it sit beside you. Notice whether you're breathing or holding. Start breathing again.
Let your thighs be as heavy as they want to be. Let your hands be completely still.
Sleep. Let each breath be a little smaller than the last.
Let the thoughts come and go without you getting up to answer. Let the next part go past without you. Nothing needs deciding tonight.
You have been putting this off. Starting is the only step that matters.
Let this be the last thing you listen to.
12 paragraphs, roughly 2 minutes read slowly aloud. Written for water, slow.
If this story does not settle you, try A kitchen late at night — a slow story for the end of the day, when you are at home and cannot settle — for the hours after a late shift, A lake before dawn — a slow story for the end of the day, when you have woken up too early — for winding down or Sleep story: a garden in the rain, when you are doing this for the first time — for a racing mind.