Going to sleep to a happy ending

Lying awake, thinking of all that’s happened and worrying about all that’s to come. There are so many ways things that can go wrong, there are so many people that could disappoint, there are so many ways you could be misunderstood. And these seemingly infinite options of bad-endings to the story you’re currently living through are keeping you awake.

There are many techniques to fall asleep, here’s one you could try, especially if a scenario similar to this is what’s keeping you awake.

Complete the story in your mind, ensuring that it is a happy ending. Think up what would be the best-case scenario and let it play out in your mind. Be as detailed as you can, describe the scenery, the weather, the people around, the conversations you’d have. Be guided by the question, “if the best thing could happen, what would it be, where would it be and who would it involve?” Branch out and see how each good resolve leads to another good resolve and allow this to have a domino effect continuing on to a truly magnificent ending. This being a mind exercise, physical reality has no bearing; make a point to think up a story as magnificent and as fascinating as you can. You can fly, you can dance upside down, you can meet family on Mars, you can have a bonfire around the Sun, anything is possible.

If you find yourself still awake as you create this story, write it down. If you’re still awake after writing it down, record yourself reading it. Then sit back, or lie down, close your eyes and listen to yourself tell your magnificent story with the happy ending.

If this exercise didn’t send you into a drowsy pleasant dream, do not despair. Not too dissimilar to dreaming, going through this exercise will have enabled you to unravel your thoughts and introduced new (positive) possibilities for action. This in itself would have brought upon peace and relaxation for your mind and body which would give you sufficient energy to face the following day.

Wishing sweet daydreams and sweet dreams to us all.