Wednesday 15 May 2013

Simply a moment in May

The room is completely dark, except for one slim slice of moonlight creeping through the gap between blind and windowsill.  I try to guess the time.  It must be later than midnight as the depth of the darkness shows that no streetlights are on.  It feels as if I have not slept at all, despite coming to bed at 10.45, reading a little until about 11 and then switching off the light.
I can hear the rhythmic snoring of P laying beside me.  I envy him his sleeping.  I am not aware of any issues playing on my mind which would keep me from falling asleep, yet who knows what the subconscious may be dwelling upon.  I try to clear my mind. The more I try to think of nothing, the more random thoughts appear.  The relaxation techniques learnt at ante natal classes many years ago make me feel relaxed but still sleep evades me.  I reach out to the clock to give it a brief tap.  The illuminated figures 12.45 shine out at me.  I try to recall the winding down exercises that end any exercise class.  Control my breathing.  The silence of the house encompasses me.  The daytime sounds of heating and water pipes and the comfort they bring are missing.  I sigh deeply, trying to make my body feel as heavy as possible.  Warm, heavy, relaxed.  Something, somewhere has worked.  Next time I open my eyes, the room is light, the heating is on, cars are driving past outside the window and birds are singing.
This post is written in conjunction with an idea from Alexa   A monthly moment in time.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know that feeling so well. Glad you eventually dropped off.

scrappyjacky said...

I know that feeling as well.

Jane said...

I seem to be like that most nights at the moment, will have to try your techniques

helena said...

just changed to my lower tog duvet and slept right through for first time in weeks

love that you have captured these details

Amy said...

I hate that feeling but luckily I usually sleep well .... I do wake at exactly the same time each night though 1.35am, why is that?

Sian said...

I like the bit where you go right back to those ant-natal relaxation techniques..that's something I try when I can't sleep too, and the universality of that little moment really appeals to me

Cheri said...

What a familiar moment - right down to the guy snoring next to me who seems to have no trouble sleeping at all!

Miriam said...

This is lovely and so familiar to me!

Ruth said...

Brilliantly described and failure to fall asleep is something that we can all relate to.

Maria Ontiveros said...

Great description! I like reading through you check list to beat insomnia. Interesting, too, that this is the second "simply a moment" about late night mental wanderings.
Rinda

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

Very well done! I too turn to relaxation techniques learned for laboring when I cant sleep

Alison said...

I had a night like that last night!...perfectly described, Deb
Alison xx

Abi said...

Beautiful description. I know how that feels though- I was exactly the same last night but had an exam the next day so the more I thought about trying to sleep the more sleep evaded me!