Often when we think about sleep,
We try to tell ourselves we can't go to sleep.
That's not true.
We can always fall asleep.
But if we block ourselves from going to sleep,
Because we have too many things on our mind,
Then we'll never get to sleep and we'll roll and toss and turn.
But the first thing to remember is that's still us.
We're the ones still choosing to not go to sleep.
We're the ones still holding on to those thoughts and messages and feelings so that we're not allowing ourselves to sleep.
So this practice,
Which I hope you save and follow for a nightly practice as you're laying down to bed,
Can allow you to let go,
To choose,
To reclaim control of your own sleep so that you can slumber deeply by your own choice,
By your own volition.
So get into a comfortable spot.
This can either be in a comfortable armchair as your regular routine or already laying in bed.
And I want you to close your eyes.
And with your eyes closed,
I want you to imagine that there is a stack of papers sitting next to you.
And each one of those papers represents something that you are still holding on to from the day that is preventing you from going to sleep.
Depending on the day,
That might be a pretty short stack or a pretty big stack.
But these are the things that subconsciously you won't allow yourself to fall asleep because you feel like they need to be done.
Do you have that image?
When you do,
Before we start,
I want to remind you that you are in control.
You can decide to sleep,
But some part of you is not allowing yourself to,
Because there's things still to be done.
But that sleep is a magical,
Magical thing.
And it has the ability to process emotions,
To use the power of your subconscious,
To deal with and think through everything that happened of the day,
And to respond better in the morning,
More well-rested,
More emotionally regulated,
And with better ideas for how to handle it.
So with that in mind,
Pick up the first piece of paper in your mind.
Is it something you said?
Something you did?
Something that someone else did?
Something that still needs to be done?
Whatever it is,
Mentally imagine it,
And say,
Tomorrow.
Tomorrow this can be done.
And set it down to the other side of you.
Now pick up the next one.
This might be a mistake,
A misstep,
A project that's not due for months that you haven't planned.
Whatever it is,
Bring it up to the forefront of your mind,
And say,
Tomorrow.
We will deal with this tomorrow.
And take a breath out as you set it to the other side.
And take a breath out as you set it to the other side.
And pick up the next one.
See what it is.
See what's on your mind.
And if by this point,
There's something you aren't willing to let go of,
Remind yourself to have faith in yourself.
If it really needs to be done tonight,
Get up,
Get out of bed.
But if it doesn't,
Have faith that with rest,
Tomorrow all things are possible.
So take that picture again in your mind.
Imagine it.
And imagine yourself well-rested tomorrow,
Handling it perfectly better than you could ever imagine doing today.
And say,
Tomorrow.
And set it down to the other side.
Now pick up the next one.
The next one in your mind.
And say,
Hmm,
What is this?
Does it need to be handled right now?
Will it be handled with rest?
Have faith in the power of your mind,
Your subconscious,
And powerful rest.
And say,
Tomorrow.
And set it down.
And the next.
Pick it up.
Bring it to the surface.
If it's got a strong emotion attached,
Feel the emotion.
Allow it because if it's not letting you put it down,
It's because there's an emotion,
A fear,
An anger,
A hurt.
Welcome that emotion and say,
Hey,
I feel you.
I hear you.
And trust me,
Our subconscious will be handling this all night.
We got you.
And we'll deal with it in the morning.
Saying,
Tomorrow.
And set it down.
To the other side.
Picking up the next one.
And this one may be far off in the future.
A what if.
A what if.
What if this doesn't work?
What if this doesn't happen?
Breathe it in.
Recognize that it's wondering whether you're going to achieve your dreams,
Something in the future.
And remind yourself that anything is possible with good rest.
Your mind,
Your subconscious will find a solution.
We'll figure out a way to handle it.
Or at the very least,
When we are well rested,
We'll be emotionally regulated enough to handle it.
And say,
Tomorrow.
I'll handle you tomorrow.
And set it down.
If your list was short today,
You may have already ended.
But just keep reminding yourself.
You'll be better off tomorrow.
Anything will carry till tomorrow.
And we'll be better for it.
Why are we trying to solve it right now at our most tired and exhausted in the night?
Knowing that if we allow ourselves to have good rest,
We'll handle it better tomorrow.
But if you have a longer list,
Keep going.
Pick each one up.
Approach it.
Welcome it.
And say,
Whatever needs to be said,
Whatever faith needs to be given,
Whatever understanding has or whatever feeling is felt,
And say,
We got this.
Tomorrow.
And tomorrow.
And tomorrow.
Thank you for joining me today.
I hope that you have let go and reminded yourself that tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow will solve all of these things and we don't need to handle them right now.
Make sure to follow and save to come back tomorrow to let go.
Thank you for joining,
And good night.
