this post was submitted on 05 Sep 2023
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I don't stop thinking? Surprised to see people actively stop thinking in order to fall asleep. Instead I just put the daydreaming neurons on overdrive. At some point I pass out. I rarely notice when it happens, though occasionally I do and become aware that my fantasy is getting mixed up with random images.
The key is to occupy your mind with thoughts that are very neutral in emotional content. If you notice you’re thinking of stuff that makes you anxious, scared, worried, excited etc. you need to switch to a different mental channel.
I prefer to watch the channel where I’m directing a fantasy/scifi story. It can involve wild stuff like sword fights with dragons but it has to be emotionally flat. It’s not uncommon for me to continue the story for several weeks until I switch to a different one.
Hm, well my channels have emotional content for sure. But you are right that when real life anxiety inducing thoughts get in the way, it's very hard to fall asleep. Tends to happen when I'm going through some stressful situation.
Then make a completely new channel where you craft exactly the kind of content you want. You can try directing a series about the life of a basket weaver or a fisherman. How about mountain climbing or diving if you want something more interesting. Come up with all the dialogue, plot points and other events and play it out. Make it a full VR experience while you’re at it. If you want space magic and laser samurai, go ahead and make the the story as wild as you want.
Just try to avoid all the emotional stuff like an evil villain doing something unspeakable which makes you hate the character. Emotions like that are guaranteed to keep you awake.
If you notice emotions creeping in regardless, rewind the story back a few minutes and rewrite the emotional bits. You’re the director. You’re in full control.
Yes, that's what I do already. All I'm trying to point is that, unless I'm going through a rough patch, I still fall asleep in spite of deliberate emotional content in my thoughts.
This is me. I spend my days building software and my nights building O'Neill Cylinders.