You might speculate on problems, but solutions speak their own language, a different language. It is always funny to see the distance between what the relaxed version you thinks of a situation and how you previously thought of it.
Do not underestimate your body’s capacity at providing you direction, meaning, trust and confidence; emotionally, but also from the real objective quality that you are able to attain when you take care of yourself first. Feeling on top of things and being less reactive and more aligned with your intentions make you not accumulate unconscious micro moments of thinking that things are not in your reach. When you sleep well is when your mistakes become information you process and not voices of difficulty.
Sleep is an anonymous problem solver, a connection builder. During your day you were precise, you were consistent, you were true to yourself, you were endurant, and you feel that that day made you move forward…What’s the point if you cannot bank that?
Sleep is an anonymous friend, an anonymous push and inspiration. It puts things in their place, and this wonderful process builds meaning. Imagine being clear with what has meaning and what has value for you and staying in track with it in your life. Invest in the joy of doing things that are connected to meaning and watch that joy nourish you and propel you more.
It helps you find originality and authenticity because those things lie in yourself and sleep is amazing at retrieving it. Sleeping enough is getting at that real quality of you, it is you having something special to offer, something difficult worth cultivating and getting good and that something is personal and it is your best.
It helps to get to yourself in full. We might be scared to be ourselves in full because we think of the things we must let go of, the limitations that our true and full selves might have, but those things are perceived as losses or limitations on a side that is not worth staying in. Again, the secret is the trust in the language of the other side.
You can come across people or pieces of culture that romanticise the intensity of a chase for something bigger. I like the romanticising, I like the something bigger, but chase and intensity are in the vocabulary of exhaustion. A true romantic knows that truth, a grasped and peaceful reality, is a much heavier hitter than intensity. Both ways require commitment. How about a commitment that doesn’t cost you your well-being and that shows up for you with the perfect touch?
The people that pressure you to do certain things or things a certain way are not going to be there when things don’t make sense for you. Even if they want to, out of love, they can’t, because that is a personal place, where nobody can really help you but you. They would however be genuinely happy to enjoy something authentic that they were first not able to see, again, because it is so personal and comes from a place not yet strong or even existent. That is why this journey of self-care and of getting to the full you is one to believe in and defend sometimes.
To sleep: during the day give enough of you, take enough of yours, organise in a way that lets you do that, and let go. Build around keywords that are friends of sleep, like safety, effort and satisfaction. Be unapologetic about that place you give to rest in your life. Make things go around it.
We’re not blessed by a lot of things done for us, but we’re blessed by it every night.
To a rest-partnered life.
About the Creator
Keep reading
More stories from Djamila Khellef and writers in Longevity and other communities.
Hool
I was at work: in my room, on my chair, at my desk, in a bad posture. I had gotten, during the week, to a sort of casual, accepting, automatic zombie brain: executing tasks, not being very present but also kind of peaceful about it. I was on my phone, I got the news there. The first article or post about it is always the most shocking, those words put together are so unsightly. Not emotional yet, but loud and flashy as an impact. A beautiful singer from my province dies in his thirties. Too young to expect that sort of news from him. I have to take a call, process a task. He was found in his apartment; it looks like a suicide even if nothing is confirmed yet. Everyone is aching, everyone is stunned. Online, I mean, because only a few of my colleagues would share the hurt of the news: I work for a big Canadian company, people are from all over the country, but not everyone in the country knows him. He was too big to be a local artist though. He was specific to his culture. I go about finishing my day.
By Djamila Khellef4 years ago in Humans
Day 4 of Quitting
If this is how sobriety feels, maybe it’s better to go through life a little buzzed… this, along with other hits like, I want to kill myself, I wish I was dead, and I’m going to throw myself off a bridge have been the only thoughts on rotation these past few days. I promise myself that if, in a month, I still feel like this (‘this’ meaning despondent, full of rage, and simultaneously numb) I can go back to smoking. Until mid-February though? Nicotine is off the table.
By sleepy drafts11 days ago in Longevity
Olivia Dean
In an age where music often feels rushed and overproduced, Olivia Dean stands out by doing something surprisingly simple: she sounds honest. Her voice carries warmth, restraint, and emotional clarity, making listeners feel understood rather than overwhelmed. Olivia Dean is not just another rising singer; she represents a return to music that values feeling over noise. Born and raised in London, Olivia Dean grew up surrounded by a mix of musical influences. From a young age, she was drawn to soul, pop, and jazz, genres that prioritize storytelling and emotion. This foundation shaped her artistic identity and continues to influence the way she writes and performs today. Rather than chasing trends, Dean focuses on timeless sounds and relatable experiences. What makes Olivia Dean special is not just her technical ability, but her emotional intelligence as an artist. Her songs often explore themes like self-worth, love, vulnerability, and growth. These are universal ideas, yet she presents them in a way that feels deeply personal. Listening to her music can feel like reading someone’s private journal—quiet, reflective, and sincere. One of her greatest strengths is her voice. It is soft without being weak, powerful without being aggressive. She knows when to hold back and when to lean in, allowing space for emotions to breathe. This control gives her music a calm confidence that resonates with listeners who are tired of constant intensity. Her vocals don’t demand attention; they invite it. Olivia Dean’s songwriting also deserves attention. Her lyrics are simple but thoughtful, avoiding dramatic exaggeration. She writes about real emotions in everyday language, which makes her songs easy to connect with. There is no need to decode hidden meanings or metaphors that feel forced. Instead, her words flow naturally, reflecting real conversations and feelings many people experience but struggle to express. Another important aspect of her artistry is authenticity. In interviews and performances, Dean comes across as grounded and self-aware. She openly talks about personal growth, creative struggles, and learning to trust herself. This honesty builds a strong connection with her audience, especially young listeners navigating similar emotions. She doesn’t present herself as perfect, and that makes her relatable. Her rise in the music industry has been steady rather than explosive, and that slow growth feels intentional. Olivia Dean has taken time to develop her sound, refine her message, and understand who she is as an artist. This patience shows in the quality of her work. Each release feels considered, not rushed, and that consistency builds long-term trust with her audience. Live performances further highlight her strength as a musician. On stage, she maintains the same warmth and control that define her recordings. There is no overacting or unnecessary spectacle. Instead, she focuses on connection—between herself, the music, and the audience. This creates an intimate atmosphere, even in larger venues, where listeners feel emotionally present rather than distracted. Olivia Dean’s influence extends beyond music alone. She represents a generation of artists who prioritize mental health, self-awareness, and balance. Her work encourages listeners to slow down, reflect, and accept themselves as they are. In a world driven by constant comparison and pressure, this message feels both refreshing and necessary. Fashion and visual presentation also play a subtle role in her identity. Dean’s style is elegant but understated, mirroring the tone of her music. She avoids excess and instead embraces simplicity, allowing her personality and voice to remain the focus. This alignment between sound, image, and message strengthens her overall artistic presence. As her career continues to grow, Olivia Dean remains a reminder that success does not have to be loud to be meaningful. Her journey shows that there is space in modern music for softness, reflection, and emotional honesty. She proves that artists can build strong connections without sacrificing integrity or authenticity. In the long run, Olivia Dean’s impact may not be measured by chart positions alone, but by the way her music stays with people. Her songs feel like companions during quiet moments—on late-night walks, early mornings, or times of personal change. That kind of connection is rare, and it is what gives her work lasting value. Olivia Dean is not trying to reinvent music. Instead, she is reminding us why it matters in the first place. Through her voice, her words, and her presence, she offers something increasingly rare: comfort, clarity, and genuine emotion. And in today’s fast-moving world, that might be her greatest strength.
By Saboor Brohi about 13 hours ago in Longevity
Comments
There are no comments for this story
Be the first to respond and start the conversation.