Hi.
You made it to bed.
Monday is almost over.
Tomorrow is already crowding in, isn't it?
That's okay.
We'll get to it soon.
First, just lie here.
Let the mattress find your back.
Let your feet fall open.
For the next six minutes...
you can let me keep track of things.
You just breathe.
Breathe in through your nose...
slow and easy.
And let it out...
a little longer than it came in.
Once more.
In...
And out.
Let your elbows get heavy.
Listen to the crickets outside.
They keep their own slow time.
You can borrow it.
Now let's look at tomorrow.
Just for a moment.
From right here in bed.
What's waiting for you?
Maybe an early start.
A form you still haven't filled out.
Maybe you're a talk dreading.
Or a bill with a due date.
Maybe it's someone you love.
And a worry you can't fix for them.
Let each one come up.
You don't have to solve them.
Just see them.
Notice where it.
you feel Your stomach, maybe.
Or the back of your neck.
These are real things.
They matter.
But none them of happen tonight.
Your mind keeps picking them up.
Turning them over.
Like it might find a handle.
So let's give them somewhere to sit.
Somewhere that isn't you.
Picture a small wooden box.
Sitting on the bed beside you.
Plain wood.
Smooth from being handled.
A brass hook on the front.
Maybe you found it at a yard sale.
Or your grandmother kept buttons in it.
Run your thumb along the edge.
It's warm from the room.
Lift the lid.
It's empty.
There's room for everything.
Take the first worry.
The early start, or whatever came first.
Set it inside.
It fits.
doesn't even take up much room.
Now the next one.
Place it in beside the first.
Breathe in...
And as you breathe out...
let your hands leave it there.
The worry about someone you love.
That one's heavier.
Put it in gently.
You still love them.
You'll still care in The the morning.
box just holds it Anything overnight.
else?
The small ones count A too.
text.
A chore.
A number.
In they go.
Now close the lid.
Hear the soft click of wood on Fasten wood.
the little hook.
It's lighter than you expected.
You don't even have to Just get up.
picture it by the bedroom door.
Out in the hallway.
Sitting on the The floor.
door clicks You shut.
stay right here.
Covers pulled up.
The box is out there.
In It's the hallway.
not going anywhere.
In the morning...
you can open it at breakfast.
One thing at a time.
Tonight, it stays outside.
Worry was trying to help you.
It was keeping watch.
It can take the night off now.
Look at your hands.
Nothing in them.
The room is quiet.
Just you and the bed.
If a worry slips back in...
under the door...
just set it in the box.
Then come back to the pillow.
No fuss.
Your shoulders are loose.
Your stomach has gone soft.
Breathing in...
And out...
The box will keep till morning.
The crickets are still out there.
Keeping the yard company.
And you're in here.
Goodnight.
Resting.