09/20/2026
The stories we tell ourselves before bed matter more than we think. ๐โจ
It's not just about books or podcasts โ it's about the internal narrative running in your mind as you close your eyes. Worry rehearsal (replaying tomorrow's stressors) is the #1 enemy of sleep onset. Story substitution is the antidote.
Try this tonight: instead of reviewing your to-do list, tell yourself the story of a good day โ real or imagined. Walk yourself through a peaceful scene: a meadow, a quiet library, a shoreline at dusk. Your brain can't tell the difference, and it responds to calm narratives with calm chemistry. ๐ง ๐ค
What peaceful place do you imagine before sleep? ๐ฟ๐