I’m a light sleeper with a loud mind, as well, so this kind of thing has always been a problem for me. The two main things I find helpful may not do the trick for you, but here goes:

First, trying to force myself back to sleep always just ramps my brain up worse and makes it more difficult than it already was to fall back asleep. I stopped trying to force the issue, which has counterintuitively sped up the time it takes me to fall back asleep. I don’t get up or engage my mind with anything significant, but if I’m awake, I’ll put soft music on my earbuds or scroll on my phone set to the dimmest setting. I may not fall back to sleep immediately, but I’ve found that lowering the pressure on myself to fall back asleep makes it happen more readily than when I spend 2 hours and 45 minutes being like “if I fall asleep right now, I can still get another 3 hours. go to sleep. fall asleep. sleep will happen… now!”

Second, I’ve increased my oversell magnesium intake. I know you said no substances, but I feel like this is different. There have been a few studies–popular science type stuff, nothing peer reviewed that I know of–indicating that magnesium improves sleep quality and the ability to return to sleep if woken up. Might be the placebo effect, but I don’t care because I’ve noticed an improvement.

Sorry you have to deal with this flavor of insomnia, too. Super sucks.

I’M HIT

powpowpowpowpowpowpowpowpowpow

Yes.

I already ate more sugar than I should have. I’m not going to drink the runoff. I also don’t drink the mostly-salt broth from instant ramen.

Not to be dramatic, but I’d rather die.

My wife and I have done White Castle table service every year since we’ve been together, except for the year they didn’t do it because of covid.

It’s a lot of fun, but I don’t think there will be tables available on this short notice.

When I’m really stressed out, I’ll put on repetitive beep boop music and draw floor plans on graph paper.

2% is awfully low, but it would suck to be taunted for something you struggle with and probably already feel some shame about.

I love their recipe for no bake cookies, though! Just 12-15 minutes at 375°, and you’re good to go.

I noticed on paragraph 3 of this policy-mandated letter that literally no one but me will ever read–and it’s mind-boggling that even I read it–that you referred to “December 2022.”

As it is December 2023, and December 2023 is referred to multiple times elsewhere in the aforementioned letter, can you please clarify to which month this document refers?

Thank you in advance.

Being from Minnesota, USA, this question just sounds so odd to me.

Clearly, there are regions where it doesn’t snow and that lots & lots of people live in those regions. But reading the question is so jarring!

Chocolate milk.

I don’t get it often, but I get psyched when I decide it’s time.

I microwave at lower power settings for longer times, and I stop to stir and taste at regular intervals. My microwaved food is usually the temperature I want it to be.

Grand Theft Auto 6: Everything We Know So Far

The closest shoe repair place to me is 60 miles away these days 😔 It’s not like I live in a small town, either! I remember when there was one in every second or third strip mall. It’s not like it’s tricky to order a bottle of Obenauf’s online, but I miss being able to just be like, “I better swing off at this random place to pick some up while I’m thinking about it.”

Boot and shoe care products. If you’re lucky, Target or whatever might carry one or two tins of medicre Kiwi shoe polish and maybe one type of leather conditioner. I remember having better selection at just the grocery store and being spoiled for options at any of the 4 or 5 proper shoe stores that used to be in every neighborhood.

Disregard modernity. Embrace lettuce.

SEALEDforYOUR P R O T E C T I O N

Shoveling for myself and my two elderly neighors, notwithstanding, I prefer Minnesota winters over Minnesota summers.

I hate it when someone with these lights is in the passing lane behind you, and their lights reflect off your side mirror directly into your eyes. The worst is when they’re only going like 102% your speed, so they linger there unless you adjust your own speed to change their placement relative to you.

Prison. Immediately.