Sinking into my bed just after an excruciating day of school and choir rehearsals, I fall into a deep sleep with my makeup and jewelry from the day before still in place, and no homework or any other obligations on my mind. I have the most pleasant dreams I’ve had in weeks and the most restful sleep in months. I wake up from my slumber feeling fully rested and ready for the day ahead. I squinted my eyes to see the crack between my blinds and window, fully expecting the early morning glow to be shining through, but was met with nothing. Feeling awfully confused, I leaned over the side of the bed to tap on my phone. Big white numbers read, “12:28”. So I had accidentally slept from approximately 7:30 pm to 12:28 am – the time I usually would be falling asleep. Tossing and turning, I really tried to fall back asleep, but there was no way that was going to happen, not for at least a few more hours. 

Eventually I gave up and flicked my lamp on and dragged my Chromebook up to my lap. In the silence of the late hours I felt at peace hearing only the clack of the keys. As the world slept soundly, I felt a sudden burst of motivation to finish the assignments I’d been putting off. 

The silence gave me an opportunity to think, something I don’t often get to sit around and do in my busy day-to-day life. I relived each conversation I had the day before. I cringed at the awkward confrontation I had with a classmate earlier. I smiled at an accidental moment with a new friend on a bus. In this tranquil late night oasis, I felt as if I was an external being looking in on my own life. I realized that all my usual anxiety that crowded my brain was suddenly nowhere to be found. I felt at peace with my life, and had a moment to think about all the things I’m so grateful for right now, realizing that those people and things really do make all the stress worth it. As the hours grew later, and my eyelids grew heavier, I began to fall back into my deep sleep with a much needed fresh perspective of my life. Oftentimes, a quiet moment to catch your breath and allow yourself to rest and think is all you need in a period of high stress and anxiety.