Sleep story · winter, still
Sleep story: a field under snow, if you are new to this — for waking too early
Everything muffled, everything white, and no tracks but yours.
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 snow on the branches is holding, and every so often a small amount slides off. There is a gate at the far end of the field, half buried and not going anywhere. The air is so cold it feels dry, and your breath is visible for a long time.
The fence posts are capped with snow and look shorter than they are. A single crow crosses the field and lands on the fence, then thinks better of it. There are no footprints anywhere except the ones behind you.
Feel your cheeks let go. Let your feet get heavy first. Heavier than they need to be.
Notice the places where your body touches the bed, and let them be heavy. Let the mattress take all of it.
The snow came down all afternoon and has now stopped, leaving the field completely unmarked. The farmhouse at the top of the hill has one window lit.
Let your tongue sit heavy in your mouth. Your jaw can drop slightly. Let your teeth part.
Let your hands be completely still. Let everything you were holding today stay on the floor beside the bed.
Nothing in this field needs to be done today or tomorrow. The light is flat and grey and does not cast shadows.
Notice if you've been frowning at your own thoughts. If your body wants to move, let it move, then come back.
Let your forehead go cool and smooth. Your ankles can go loose now.
Follow the breath out, and let the next one arrive by itself. Let each breath be a little smaller than the last.
You do not have to count them. Softer. Nothing here needs following closely.
Nothing here assumes you have done this before.
Let this be the last thing you listen to.
14 paragraphs, roughly 2 minutes read slowly aloud. Written for winter, still.
If this story does not settle you, try A hotel room somewhere, when you are somewhere unfamiliar — for the hours after a late shift, Sleep story: a fire dying down, when the weather has kept you inside — for an overtired night or The house after everyone is asleep, when you need to stop thinking about work — for a restless night.