
“Try not to think,” the YouTube video says.
That, in itself, requires thinking. Seriously, who comes up with these?
Every day, I dread the moment I finish my homework and have to sleep.
I get ready for bed and drag off my throw pillows.
I prepare myself for the challenge that approaches me.
“11:47 pm.”
Everything is going good, until it isn’t.
An itch, a pointless tangent, a ringing in my ear.
Wait, did I do my theology?
Distractions come wildly.
Silent as the night may be, my mind is still too loud.
Am I drifting off?
No, I’m definitely still awake.
“12:34 pm.”
What have I been doing for nearly an hour now?
Okay. Relax.
If I fall asleep in six minutes, I’ll have exactly six hours and ten minutes of sleep.
Even I know that that’s wishful thinking.
I know the only way to fall asleep; it’s as simple as it is challenging.
It has to happen naturally- there is no trick to it.
I simply have to let it happen.
“1:02 am.”
My stress levels have skyrocketed.
I’m going to be so tired during school tomorrow.
How could I be so fidgety and restless?
I’ll never get enough sleep. I give up.
…What is that beeping?
“6:50 am.”
I pull the covers off and begin my morning.
The ongoing battle resumes tonight.
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PhotoCredit: The Boston Globe