[img]https://media4.giphy.com/media/tn8zWeNYA73G0/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47ljwzpukarw6wtp2vcppoklropjjn6g9m1oq3st2v[/img]

[url="https://c.tenor.com/m5OIOZfutssAAAAC/jumping-kid-jumping.gif"][img]https://media0.giphy.com/media/T7GWUUPNM4RcCg4R7N/giphy.gif?cid=790b7611d8c23d3d68400da1edec7f9838138480bd1bcfa8&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g[/img][/url]

I had a feeling I would relate to this week's track.  Especially the lyrics and quote hit home.  Really enjoyed the warmth of the sub bass with your vocals laid over the 90s-esque trip hop vibes.  Onward we go!

I had a feeling I would relate to this week's track. Especially the lyrics and quote hit home. Really enjoyed the warmth of the sub bass with your vocals laid over the 90s-esque trip hop vibes. Onward we go!

a strong song. the energy comes from the drums and the deep basstones. the leadsample is an earcandy. your voice is magic as ever. well done.

a strong song. the energy comes from the drums and the deep basstones. the leadsample is an earcandy. your voice is magic as ever. well done.

its almost hypnotic, and very relaxing, very wise words, all too familliar with anxiety

its almost hypnotic, and very relaxing, very wise words, all too familliar with anxiety

I like how it's soothing and peaceful on top but there's a nice little bit of propulsive energy underneath.  It kind of creates a feeling of wanting to get stuff done, but in a relaxed way.  I really like the quote about worrying as well.  I have to remind myself sometimes that worrying really doesn't accomplish anything and there have been plenty of times I've wasted time and effort worrying about something just to have whatever I was worried about resolve itself easily and painlessly or not come to pass at all.

I like how it's soothing and peaceful on top but there's a nice little bit of propulsive energy underneath. It kind of creates a feeling of wanting to get stuff done, but in a relaxed way. I really like the quote about worrying as well. I have to remind myself sometimes that worrying really doesn't accomplish anything and there have been plenty of times I've wasted time and effort worrying about something just to have whatever I was worried about resolve itself easily and painlessly or not come to pass at all.

Love the beat, did not expect it, but needed it. The loop + beat combo in here is "two thumbs up," but the voice is the star (and should be in everything you make, sincerely, not patronizingly!)

WB taught me anxious folks make music a lot and apparently enjoy doing it weekly to burnout. And anxiety sucks, last line hits rather different. You should know that I heard this in the car on Sunday w/o access to the lyrics but on understanding I can't hear the music the same way as I did the first time... Which is awesome, I think that's one thing that instrumental music doesn't really get to do much -- change its perceived function on understanding the language.

Love the beat, did not expect it, but needed it. The loop + beat combo in here is "two thumbs up," but the voice is the star (and should be in everything you make, sincerely, not patronizingly!) WB taught me anxious folks make music a lot and apparently enjoy doing it weekly to burnout. And anxiety sucks, last line hits rather different. You should know that I heard this in the car on Sunday w/o access to the lyrics but on understanding I can't hear the music the same way as I did the first time... Which is awesome, I think that's one thing that instrumental music doesn't really get to do much -- change its perceived function on understanding the language. <3

the dead can't dance, look who's dancing now!

the dead can't dance, look who's dancing now!

wow wow wow. i _think_ this is my first 'emily' track i've listened to? (i've been slow to listen and participate more fully in the community during WB!). you've listened to mine, you've listened to a lot of others (i see your comments and gifs!) and are just a stellar contributor to the community, and have kept up your consistent streak of tracks for this year too! just want to shout you out as being awesome.

and then this track - the title serendipitously hit me: i was literally thinking about "wandering" and talking about "wonder" yesterday. the topic is great, the lyrics are soft yet reflective, the beat and instrument selection was really pleasant in a somewhat discordant (? if i'm hearing the bell/piano correctly?). i like the crackle added as well. i got some...Björk vibes for some reason (i don't listen to a lot of Björk so may be way off).

anywho, obligatory gif vibe capture:

wow wow wow. i _think_ this is my first 'emily' track i've listened to? (i've been slow to listen and participate more fully in the community during WB!). you've listened to mine, you've listened to a lot of others (i see your comments and gifs!) and are just a stellar contributor to the community, and have kept up your consistent streak of tracks for this year too! just want to shout you out as being awesome. and then this track - the title serendipitously hit me: i was literally thinking about "wandering" and talking about "wonder" yesterday. the topic is great, the lyrics are soft yet reflective, the beat and instrument selection was really pleasant in a somewhat discordant (? if i'm hearing the bell/piano correctly?). i like the crackle added as well. i got some...Björk vibes for some reason (i don't listen to a lot of Björk so may be way off). anywho, obligatory gif vibe capture: [img]https://media1.giphy.com/media/26DMWExfbZSiV0Btm/giphy.webp?cid=ecf05e472y1zvln8xnc8vb2blq7itu8uymzh41r7ispi5eg9&rid=giphy.webp&ct=g[/img]

I know people like to talk about wanderlust, but what about wanderlost. There's a dread that comes with the feeling of being lost and having to wander.

I know people like to talk about wanderlust, but what about wanderlost. There's a dread that comes with the feeling of being lost and having to wander.

Sparklingly mysterious. Catchy keys loop, my fave, the acoustic drums. Wandering and wondering are good. I like the lyrics!

Sparklingly mysterious. Catchy keys loop, my fave, the acoustic drums. Wandering and wondering are good. I like the lyrics!

Miraculous, delightful, lovely

Miraculous, delightful, lovely

I get lost in these beautiful sounds
- Ebrit

I get lost in these beautiful sounds - Ebrit

Beautiful beat against that melodic line. This is trip-hop from a parallel universe. I like the space in this mix, both in how it is mixed in 3d and how various elements get in and vanish, as if following the rhythm of a slow breath. The insistent melody is hypnotic. This is a track directly from a dream.

Beautiful beat against that melodic line. This is trip-hop from a parallel universe. I like the space in this mix, both in how it is mixed in 3d and how various elements get in and vanish, as if following the rhythm of a slow breath. The insistent melody is hypnotic. This is a track directly from a dream.

now seems an ever moving target

they know how to enjoy the moment for sure

onword we go!

thank you!  hope you are feeling better

i'm very sad to hear you are also struggling with anxiety - but glad to hear this felt relaxing - wishing you well/peace

isn't it such a weird thing to keep re-learning? 
"wanting to get stuff done, but in a relaxed way" - this is just so spot on - that's the energy my life is in right now & was channeling this into the song - this made me smile

"apparently enjoy doing it weekly to burnout"  this made me giggle - i don't fully understand my lyrics - so it made me smile when you talked about the different experiences of the song - we humans have so many ways we try to communicate - if i can't get better with language - i hope to at least get better at listening...
your ability to do both i am in awe of i'm ignoring your compliment on my vocals to be continued...

gotta dance while we can!

cool i was on theme
thank you for the compliments
bjork is awesome & her music catalog is vast & worth exploration - at first i wasn't sure i was hearing the bjorkness then i wondered if the the synth loop reminded you of the music box on Frosti???
love the gif & here's to wandering & wondering!

yes yes yes "not all who wander are lost"... but some of us are... and sometimes you have to get a bit lost  and wander and wonder a bit before you know where you want to be - who you want to be - how you want to be

found some more fun acoustic drum loops for week28 - was just asking a drummer friend to make me some to play with... hoping she's up for it -  for now i'm dipping into what garage-band has to offer

i've been having such weird dreams & even had a night terror this past week (wonder if the full moon is affecting my sleep?) after a bit of a nice break from dreaming - maybe it's bleeding over into my songs/wakinglife - hope you are having happy dreams this summer

[quote=license][img]https://media4.giphy.com/media/tn8zWeNYA73G0/giphy.gif?cid=ecf05e47ljwzpukarw6wtp2vcppoklropjjn6g9m1oq3st2v[/img][/quote] now seems an ever moving target [quote=Ipaghost][url="https://c.tenor.com/m5OIOZfutssAAAAC/jumping-kid-jumping.gif"][img]https://media0.giphy.com/media/T7GWUUPNM4RcCg4R7N/giphy.gif?cid=790b7611d8c23d3d68400da1edec7f9838138480bd1bcfa8&rid=giphy.gif&ct=g[/img][/url][/quote] they know how to enjoy the moment for sure [quote=Tone Matrix]I had a feeling I would relate to this week's track. Especially the lyrics and quote hit home. Really enjoyed the warmth of the sub bass with your vocals laid over the 90s-esque trip hop vibes. Onward we go![/quote] onword we go! [quote=Q-Rosh]a strong song. the energy comes from the drums and the deep basstones. the leadsample is an earcandy. your voice is magic as ever. well done.[/quote] thank you! hope you are feeling better [quote=PieBaron]its almost hypnotic, and very relaxing, very wise words, all too familliar with anxiety[/quote] i'm very sad to hear you are also struggling with anxiety - but glad to hear this felt relaxing - wishing you well/peace [quote=CosmicCairns]I like how it's soothing and peaceful on top but there's a nice little bit of propulsive energy underneath. It kind of creates a feeling of wanting to get stuff done, but in a relaxed way. I really like the quote about worrying as well. I have to remind myself sometimes that worrying really doesn't accomplish anything and there have been plenty of times I've wasted time and effort worrying about something just to have whatever I was worried about resolve itself easily and painlessly or not come to pass at all.[/quote] isn't it such a weird thing to keep re-learning? "wanting to get stuff done, but in a relaxed way" - this is just so spot on - that's the energy my life is in right now & was channeling this into the song - this made me smile [quote=ilzxc]Love the beat, did not expect it, but needed it. The loop + beat combo in here is "two thumbs up," but the voice is the star (and should be in everything you make, sincerely, not patronizingly!) WB taught me anxious folks make music a lot and apparently enjoy doing it weekly to burnout. And anxiety sucks, last line hits rather different. You should know that I heard this in the car on Sunday w/o access to the lyrics but on understanding I can't hear the music the same way as I did the first time... Which is awesome, I think that's one thing that instrumental music doesn't really get to do much -- change its perceived function on understanding the language. <3[/quote] "apparently enjoy doing it weekly to burnout" this made me giggle - i don't fully understand my lyrics - so it made me smile when you talked about the different experiences of the song - we humans have so many ways we try to communicate - if i can't get better with language - i hope to at least get better at listening... your ability to do both i am in awe of :) i'm ignoring your compliment on my vocals ;) to be continued... [quote=mzunguko]the dead can't dance, look who's dancing now![/quote] gotta dance while we can! [quote=eoe.vibin]wow wow wow. i _think_ this is my first 'emily' track i've listened to? (i've been slow to listen and participate more fully in the community during WB!). you've listened to mine, you've listened to a lot of others (i see your comments and gifs!) and are just a stellar contributor to the community, and have kept up your consistent streak of tracks for this year too! just want to shout you out as being awesome. and then this track - the title serendipitously hit me: i was literally thinking about "wandering" and talking about "wonder" yesterday. the topic is great, the lyrics are soft yet reflective, the beat and instrument selection was really pleasant in a somewhat discordant (? if i'm hearing the bell/piano correctly?). i like the crackle added as well. i got some...Björk vibes for some reason (i don't listen to a lot of Björk so may be way off). anywho, obligatory gif vibe capture: [img]https://media1.giphy.com/media/26DMWExfbZSiV0Btm/giphy.webp?cid=ecf05e472y1zvln8xnc8vb2blq7itu8uymzh41r7ispi5eg9&rid=giphy.webp&ct=g[/img] [/quote] cool i was on theme thank you for the compliments bjork is awesome & her music catalog is vast & worth exploration - at first i wasn't sure i was hearing the bjorkness then i wondered if the the synth loop reminded you of the music box on [url=https://youtu.be/QU8J0eS9Sm4]Frosti[/url]??? love the gif & here's to wandering & wondering! [quote=sad_infamy_sings]I know people like to talk about wanderlust, but what about wanderlost. There's a dread that comes with the feeling of being lost and having to wander.[/quote] yes yes yes "not all who wander are lost"... but some of us are... and sometimes you have to get a bit lost and wander and wonder a bit before you know where you want to be - who you want to be - how you want to be [quote=miraclemiles]Sparklingly mysterious. Catchy keys loop, my fave, the acoustic drums. Wandering and wondering are good. I like the lyrics![/quote] found some more fun acoustic drum loops for week28 - was just asking a drummer friend to make me some to play with... hoping she's up for it - for now i'm dipping into what garage-band has to offer :) [quote=Uferland]Miraculous, delightful, lovely[/quote] <3 [quote=Devieus]I get lost in these beautiful sounds - Ebrit[/quote] <3 [quote=Kedbreak136]Beautiful beat against that melodic line. This is trip-hop from a parallel universe. I like the space in this mix, both in how it is mixed in 3d and how various elements get in and vanish, as if following the rhythm of a slow breath. The insistent melody is hypnotic. This is a track directly from a dream.[/quote] i've been having such weird dreams & even had a night terror this past week (wonder if the full moon is affecting my sleep?) after a bit of a nice break from dreaming - maybe it's bleeding over into my songs/wakinglife - hope you are having happy dreams this summer

wouldn't call it a target but it is always moving for sure

[quote=emily] now seems an ever moving target [/quote] wouldn't call it a target but it is always moving for sure

Ooooh, this is so nice! Really love the atmosphere you created, and the haunting feel of the vocals.
Brilliant!

Ooooh, this is so nice! Really love the atmosphere you created, and the haunting feel of the vocals. Brilliant!

it feels like that a bit to me when my aim is on the target of living in the present moment - i thought your gif was a good illustration of that as time just keeps ticking and moving onward...

DataJanitor :

thank you so much!

[quote=license][quote=emily] now seems an ever moving target [/quote] wouldn't call it a target but it is always moving for sure [/quote] it feels like that a bit to me when my aim is on the target of living in the present moment - i thought your gif was a good illustration of that as time just keeps ticking and moving onward... DataJanitor : [quote=DataJanitor]Ooooh, this is so nice! Really love the atmosphere you created, and the haunting feel of the vocals. Brilliant! [/quote] thank you so much!

ahh, that interpretation makes a lot of sense. that thought reminds me of how I've been trying to get more sleep recently and it's been incredibly frustrating. I've given up, and it hasn't helped me sleep more, but I'm at peace with it now: dumber and clumsier, but happier.

[quote=emily] it feels like that a bit to me when my aim is on the target of living in the present moment - i thought your gif was a good illustration of that as time just keeps ticking and moving onward... [/quote] ahh, that interpretation makes a lot of sense. that thought reminds me of how I've been trying to get more sleep recently and it's been incredibly frustrating. I've given up, and it hasn't helped me sleep more, but I'm at peace with it now: dumber and clumsier, but happier.

oooh that's so rough & i can very much relate including the dumber/clumsier
have you read any about how humans used to sleep different? it made me feel more at peace with the times i struggle to sleep

have you tried a sleep mask?  it's not a cure all but i invested in a couple of black linen ones off etsy that really seems to help me - 3 layers of curtains does not block out my neighbors led lights so our rooms are never truly dark - the mask seems to help - i dim the lights all the way down on the computer or put on a low key podcast with a sleep timer on and listen to pbsnewhour or really long lectures with the mask on instead of watching the computer screen on next to my face & that helps me fall asleep faster... josh likes our friends sleep baseball & joe pera talks you to sleep is also very relaxing

[quote=license][quote=emily] it feels like that a bit to me when my aim is on the target of living in the present moment - i thought your gif was a good illustration of that as time just keeps ticking and moving onward... [/quote] ahh, that interpretation makes a lot of sense. that thought reminds me of how I've been trying to get more sleep recently and it's been incredibly frustrating. I've given up, and it hasn't helped me sleep more, but I'm at peace with it now: dumber and clumsier, but happier.[/quote] oooh that's so rough & i can very much relate including the dumber/clumsier have you read any about how [url=https://www.sciencealert.com/humans-used-to-sleep-in-two-shifts-maybe-we-should-again]humans used to sleep different[/url]? it made me feel more at peace with the times i struggle to sleep have you tried a sleep mask? it's not a cure all but i invested in a couple of black linen ones off etsy that really seems to help me - 3 layers of curtains does not block out my neighbors led lights so our rooms are never truly dark - the mask seems to help - i dim the lights all the way down on the computer or put on a low key podcast with a sleep timer on and listen to pbsnewhour or really long lectures with the mask on instead of watching the computer screen on next to my face & that helps me fall asleep faster... josh likes our friends [url=https://www.sleepbaseball.com/]sleep baseball[/url] & [url=https://youtu.be/91wX0NRjJqg]joe pera[/url] talks you to sleep is also very relaxing

thank you, that is really kind! I will check these out. I also have some lavender in my yard I could just pick and throw in my pillowcase. at the very least, it smells really nice!

I have tried sleep masks before and they do seem to help. I should try that again.

my specific issue is that I seem to wake up at least once a night and have trouble getting back to sleep. then I wake up at usually 4 or 5, 6 at the latest, even if I go to sleep at 2. all my friends love to "sleep in" but I just can't do it. and I like waking up early, but all that together is not great unless I get to bed around 9 which is pretty rare - I'm usually not sleepy until 10:30 or 11. I think turning off screens by 8 or 8:30 has worked the best for me so far, I just keep forgetting to do it or "powering through", which is stupid.

polyphasic sleep is really fascinating. there's a lot of variants on it and a lot of  productive, well known people throughout history who practiced different variants of it. I think Da Vinci slept every 3 hours or so. I used to never nap, but I find myself snatching 30-60 minute naps at least on the weekends. maybe something more like polyphasic sleep would work for me if I don't have luck with the other stuff.

thanks for taking the time to chat about this with me

[quote=emily][quote=license][quote=emily] it feels like that a bit to me when my aim is on the target of living in the present moment - i thought your gif was a good illustration of that as time just keeps ticking and moving onward... [/quote] ahh, that interpretation makes a lot of sense. that thought reminds me of how I've been trying to get more sleep recently and it's been incredibly frustrating. I've given up, and it hasn't helped me sleep more, but I'm at peace with it now: dumber and clumsier, but happier.[/quote] oooh that's so rough & i can very much relate including the dumber/clumsier have you read any about how [url=https://www.sciencealert.com/humans-used-to-sleep-in-two-shifts-maybe-we-should-again]humans used to sleep different[/url]? it made me feel more at peace with the times i struggle to sleep have you tried a sleep mask? it's not a cure all but i invested in a couple of black linen ones off etsy that really seems to help me - 3 layers of curtains does not block out my neighbors led lights so our rooms are never truly dark - the mask seems to help - i dim the lights all the way down on the computer or put on a low key podcast with in my case, I have this issue where I'll wake up at least once a night for about an hour, and I also a sleep timer on and listen to pbsnewhour or really long lectures with the mask on instead of watching the computer screen on next to my face & that helps me fall asleep faster... josh likes our friends [url=https://www.sleepbaseball.com/]sleep baseball[/url] & [url=https://youtu.be/91wX0NRjJqg]joe pera[/url] talks you to sleep is also very relaxing[/quote] thank you, that is really kind! I will check these out. I also have some lavender in my yard I could just pick and throw in my pillowcase. at the very least, it smells really nice! I have tried sleep masks before and they do seem to help. I should try that again. my specific issue is that I seem to wake up at least once a night and have trouble getting back to sleep. then I wake up at usually 4 or 5, 6 at the latest, even if I go to sleep at 2. all my friends love to "sleep in" but I just can't do it. and I like waking up early, but all that together is not great unless I get to bed around 9 which is pretty rare - I'm usually not sleepy until 10:30 or 11. I think turning off screens by 8 or 8:30 has worked the best for me so far, I just keep forgetting to do it or "powering through", which is stupid. polyphasic sleep is really fascinating. there's a lot of variants on it and a lot of productive, well known people throughout history who practiced different variants of it. I think Da Vinci slept every 3 hours or so. I used to never nap, but I find myself snatching 30-60 minute naps at least on the weekends. maybe something more like polyphasic sleep would work for me if I don't have luck with the other stuff. thanks for taking the time to chat about this with me <3

this is so relatable - are you in your 40's?  it seems like this whole not being able to sleep in no matter when i get to sleep has started in my 40's... & my body is so tired around 8pm or so but not my brain

& the napping!!! me too! - i wasn't even a good napper when i was a kid and this seems like a new thing that sometimes happens - especially when i've got little sleep the night before... so fascinating...
have you heard of the coffee nap?

i will say when i was growing most of our food and working outside all day - i was up early to bed early and on a more regular schedule without having to try - i was just tired and then when the sun came up - i was up... but i have to really be in this mode for that to kick in... i think the physical exertion also helped

i am very curious to learn more about polyphasic sleep

i hope you got some good rest this past week!

[quote=license][quote=emily][quote=license][quote=emily] it feels like that a bit to me when my aim is on the target of living in the present moment - i thought your gif was a good illustration of that as time just keeps ticking and moving onward... [/quote] ahh, that interpretation makes a lot of sense. that thought reminds me of how I've been trying to get more sleep recently and it's been incredibly frustrating. I've given up, and it hasn't helped me sleep more, but I'm at peace with it now: dumber and clumsier, but happier.[/quote] oooh that's so rough & i can very much relate including the dumber/clumsier have you read any about how [url=https://www.sciencealert.com/humans-used-to-sleep-in-two-shifts-maybe-we-should-again]humans used to sleep different[/url]? it made me feel more at peace with the times i struggle to sleep have you tried a sleep mask? it's not a cure all but i invested in a couple of black linen ones off etsy that really seems to help me - 3 layers of curtains does not block out my neighbors led lights so our rooms are never truly dark - the mask seems to help - i dim the lights all the way down on the computer or put on a low key podcast with in my case, I have this issue where I'll wake up at least once a night for about an hour, and I also a sleep timer on and listen to pbsnewhour or really long lectures with the mask on instead of watching the computer screen on next to my face & that helps me fall asleep faster... josh likes our friends [url=https://www.sleepbaseball.com/]sleep baseball[/url] & [url=https://youtu.be/91wX0NRjJqg]joe pera[/url] talks you to sleep is also very relaxing[/quote] thank you, that is really kind! I will check these out. I also have some lavender in my yard I could just pick and throw in my pillowcase. at the very least, it smells really nice! I have tried sleep masks before and they do seem to help. I should try that again. my specific issue is that I seem to wake up at least once a night and have trouble getting back to sleep. then I wake up at usually 4 or 5, 6 at the latest, even if I go to sleep at 2. all my friends love to "sleep in" but I just can't do it. and I like waking up early, but all that together is not great unless I get to bed around 9 which is pretty rare - I'm usually not sleepy until 10:30 or 11. I think turning off screens by 8 or 8:30 has worked the best for me so far, I just keep forgetting to do it or "powering through", which is stupid. polyphasic sleep is really fascinating. there's a lot of variants on it and a lot of productive, well known people throughout history who practiced different variants of it. I think Da Vinci slept every 3 hours or so. I used to never nap, but I find myself snatching 30-60 minute naps at least on the weekends. maybe something more like polyphasic sleep would work for me if I don't have luck with the other stuff. thanks for taking the time to chat about this with me <3[/quote] this is so relatable - are you in your 40's? it seems like this whole not being able to sleep in no matter when i get to sleep has started in my 40's... & my body is so tired around 8pm or so but not my brain & the napping!!! me too! - i wasn't even a good napper when i was a kid and this seems like a new thing that sometimes happens - especially when i've got little sleep the night before... so fascinating... have you heard of the [url=https://youtu.be/CaI5LWj6ams]coffee nap?[/url] i will say when i was growing most of our food and working outside all day - i was up early to bed early and on a more regular schedule without having to try - i was just tired and then when the sun came up - i was up... but i have to really be in this mode for that to kick in... i think the physical exertion also helped i am very curious to learn more about polyphasic sleep :) i hope you got some good rest this past week!

my 40s are, in fact, right around the corner I very much relate to my body being tired and not my brain.

I love the coffee nap! I thought I had invented it. I was doing it fairly often about a year ago. 10:30 seems like the ideal time for it. it was great in the summer because hot coffee is not bad in the morning when it's still cool, and then you wake up and the coffee has cooled down and you can pour it on ice. I didn't realize there had been studies on this involving brain chemicals like adenosine and lower intestine metabolism all this, wow!

physical exertion and being on a regular schedule definitely seem to help.

my rest was patchy due to a (temporarily) demanding work schedule, but I just kind of rolled with it. then I got some pretty decent sleep the last couple of days. I can't complain. have actually been consciously turning the lights low around 8 and getting sleepy when I want. also did stuff a bunch of lavender in my pillow and that really seems to help. I might have overdone it in fact - I was pretty (pleasantly) groggy the next morning. progress! I hope you got some good rest too! 

[quote=emily][quote=license][quote=emily][quote=license][quote=emily] it feels like that a bit to me when my aim is on the target of living in the present moment - i thought your gif was a good illustration of that as time just keeps ticking and moving onward... [/quote] ahh, that interpretation makes a lot of sense. that thought reminds me of how I've been trying to get more sleep recently and it's been incredibly frustrating. I've given up, and it hasn't helped me sleep more, but I'm at peace with it now: dumber and clumsier, but happier.[/quote] oooh that's so rough & i can very much relate including the dumber/clumsier have you read any about how [url=https://www.sciencealert.com/humans-used-to-sleep-in-two-shifts-maybe-we-should-again]humans used to sleep different[/url]? it made me feel more at peace with the times i struggle to sleep have you tried a sleep mask? it's not a cure all but i invested in a couple of black linen ones off etsy that really seems to help me - 3 layers of curtains does not block out my neighbors led lights so our rooms are never truly dark - the mask seems to help - i dim the lights all the way down on the computer or put on a low key podcast with in my case, I have this issue where I'll wake up at least once a night for about an hour, and I also a sleep timer on and listen to pbsnewhour or really long lectures with the mask on instead of watching the computer screen on next to my face & that helps me fall asleep faster... josh likes our friends [url=https://www.sleepbaseball.com/]sleep baseball[/url] & [url=https://youtu.be/91wX0NRjJqg]joe pera[/url] talks you to sleep is also very relaxing[/quote] thank you, that is really kind! I will check these out. I also have some lavender in my yard I could just pick and throw in my pillowcase. at the very least, it smells really nice! I have tried sleep masks before and they do seem to help. I should try that again. my specific issue is that I seem to wake up at least once a night and have trouble getting back to sleep. then I wake up at usually 4 or 5, 6 at the latest, even if I go to sleep at 2. all my friends love to "sleep in" but I just can't do it. and I like waking up early, but all that together is not great unless I get to bed around 9 which is pretty rare - I'm usually not sleepy until 10:30 or 11. I think turning off screens by 8 or 8:30 has worked the best for me so far, I just keep forgetting to do it or "powering through", which is stupid. polyphasic sleep is really fascinating. there's a lot of variants on it and a lot of productive, well known people throughout history who practiced different variants of it. I think Da Vinci slept every 3 hours or so. I used to never nap, but I find myself snatching 30-60 minute naps at least on the weekends. maybe something more like polyphasic sleep would work for me if I don't have luck with the other stuff. thanks for taking the time to chat about this with me <3[/quote] this is so relatable - are you in your 40's? it seems like this whole not being able to sleep in no matter when i get to sleep has started in my 40's... & my body is so tired around 8pm or so but not my brain & the napping!!! me too! - i wasn't even a good napper when i was a kid and this seems like a new thing that sometimes happens - especially when i've got little sleep the night before... so fascinating... have you heard of the [url=https://youtu.be/CaI5LWj6ams]coffee nap?[/url] i will say when i was growing most of our food and working outside all day - i was up early to bed early and on a more regular schedule without having to try - i was just tired and then when the sun came up - i was up... but i have to really be in this mode for that to kick in... i think the physical exertion also helped i am very curious to learn more about polyphasic sleep :) i hope you got some good rest this past week! [/quote] my 40s are, in fact, right around the corner :) I very much relate to my body being tired and not my brain. I love the coffee nap! I thought I had invented it. I was doing it fairly often about a year ago. 10:30 seems like the ideal time for it. it was great in the summer because hot coffee is not bad in the morning when it's still cool, and then you wake up and the coffee has cooled down and you can pour it on ice. I didn't realize there had been studies on this involving brain chemicals like adenosine and lower intestine metabolism all this, wow! physical exertion and being on a regular schedule definitely seem to help. my rest was patchy due to a (temporarily) demanding work schedule, but I just kind of rolled with it. then I got some pretty decent sleep the last couple of days. I can't complain. have actually been consciously turning the lights low around 8 and getting sleepy when I want. also did stuff a bunch of lavender in my pillow and that really seems to help. I might have overdone it in fact - I was pretty (pleasantly) groggy the next morning. progress! I hope you got some good rest too!

loving the convo in these comments.

didn't see the breakbeat coming, really cool change of pace.

the last line is a killer.

hugs from wisco

loving the convo in these comments. didn't see the breakbeat coming, really cool change of pace. the last line is a killer. hugs from wisco

hugs

[quote=orangedrink]loving the convo in these comments. didn't see the breakbeat coming, really cool change of pace. the last line is a killer. hugs from wisco[/quote] [img]https://media.giphy.com/media/l3fQonzG4lGp8Edji/giphy.gif[/img] hugs