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When the world is cradled in a blanket of stars, I finally breathe a little easier.

There’s a sacred hum to the night—a stillness that soothes my wide-open heart and settles the thousands of little emotions I collect throughout the day.

Most nights, if I’m being honest, I imagine myself lighting candles, running a bath, journaling by soft lamplight. You know, all the Instagram self-care things.

And sometimes, yes, that happens.

But more often? My chest tightens. My mind races. My nervous system feels like it’s buzzing on bad coffee and existential dread.

I’m a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). I don’t just live the day—I absorb it.

Every headline. Every tense conversation. Every sad look from a stranger on the street.

By nightfall, my emotional inbox is overflowing.

(And let’s be real: it’s not like the world is getting any less intense.)

So, sleep? Sleep can be a whole event.

It’s not just “turning off the lights and snuggling in.”

It’s a full-on recalibration of my mind, body, and soul.

And it’s taken me a long time to realize: I have to meet myself there—consciously, lovingly, and deliberately.

Why Sleep is Hard for the Sensitive Soul

Here’s the deal: HSPs are biologically wired with a sensitive nervous system.

When we get overloaded emotionally, our body shifts into fight-or-flight mode way faster than the average person—and it can linger there.

Bouncing between “I’m okay.” and “The world is ending.” is exhausting, y’all.

Studies show that HSPs actually need more sleep than the average person (around 8–10 hours).

But needing it and getting it? Two very different stories.

If you’re an HSP, an empath, or just a plain old highly emotional human being (no shame here), you know:

Nighttime is when the mind loves to pop open every unfinished worry, fear, regret, and grocery list from the past 20 years.

It’s cute, really. (Except not.)

Which is why I swear by what I call The Nightly Brain Dump Ritual.

It’s simple, it’s sacred, and it’s honestly changed my relationship with sleep.

The Nightly Brain Dump Ritual (a.k.a. Marie Kondo Your Mind)

If you want deeper, more restorative sleep, you have to declutter your mind.

It’s that simple.

You can’t rest if your mind is still running the “What if?” Olympics at 2 a.m.

Here’s how to do it:

1. Set the Mood

>> Find a cozy spot: your bed, a squishy chair, your altar space.

>> Light a candle. Diffuse lavender or cedarwood.

>> Dim the lights. Cue up gentle instrumental music if that feels good.

Create a container that whispers, “It’s safe to let go now.”

2. Grab a Journal (No Overthinking Allowed)

This isn’t “dear diary” territory.

This is a raw, honest mind spill.

No structure. No grammar rules. No judgment.

3. Use Gentle Prompts (Optional but Delicious)

If you need help getting started, here are a few simple questions you can answer:

>> What is looping in my mind right now?

>> What am I holding onto that isn’t mine?

>> What do I need to hand over to the Universe tonight?

>> What can wait until tomorrow?

>> What can I bless and release right now?

(You’ll be amazed at what surfaces.)

4. Breathe. Close. Trust.

Once you’ve dumped your mental clutter onto the page—stop.

Close the journal. Breathe in deep. Imagine handing all that noise over to something bigger than you: God, Source, Love, the Earth.

It’s not yours to carry all night.

Your nervous system will thank you.

Final Thought: Sleep is an Act of Sacred Receptivity

As sensitive souls, we spend so much of our day giving—giving attention, care, energy, worry, prayers.

Nighttime is our invitation to receive.

Sleep isn’t just a physical reset.

It’s a holy reclamation.

A sacred returning to ourselves.

So be gentle tonight, loves.

Clear your mind.

Soothe your heart.

Let your beautiful, sensitive system surrender to the healing that is already waiting for you—under the stars, inside your breath, within your own wise, weary body.

Sweet dreams, wild one.

You deserve them.

You always have.

~