Sleep story · water, slow
Sleep story: a boat at anchor, when you are not in the mood — for waking too early
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
Everything in the cabin is stowed, so nothing rattles. The boat is anchored in eight metres of water, and the chain makes a sound as it moves. The blanket smells faintly of salt and diesel.
Through the hatch you can see one star, and then the mast crossing it. Nothing out here is in a rush, and neither are you. The cabin is low, and you have to bend your head to get into the bunk.
Your eyelids can be too heavy to open, and that is fine. Your fingers can stop doing anything at all.
Let everything you were holding today stay on the floor beside the bed. Let your feet get heavy first. Heavier than they need to be.
There is a torch hanging by the hatch, and a chart folded on the table. The hull moves against the water in a slow, regular way.
Your elbows can stop being hinges for now. Your jaw can drop slightly. Let your teeth part.
You might be planning something. Notice the planning, then come back. If you're distracted by a sound, let the sound be the object for a moment.
Feel your belly rise and fall without any help from you. Feel the top of your head relax into the pillow.
Let the thoughts come and go without you getting up to answer. Let it all get further away.
Nothing needs deciding tonight. Just the dark. Slower now.
Not being in the mood is a normal starting point.
I will stop here. The quiet will carry on without the words.
12 paragraphs, roughly 2 minutes read slowly aloud. Written for water, slow.
If this story does not settle you, try A garden in the rain (a sleep story), when the house is busy — for a restless night, Sleep story: a lake before dawn, when you are short on time — for a restless night or A lighthouse at the end of a long day, before you go back to something hard — for winding down.