Kendo was waiting in the Class A dorms, her nerves bringing her to fidget with the hem of her sleeves. She wasn't too dressed up, they were only going to a cafe, but the change of style from her usual athletic clothes was dressy enough, in her opinion. Once she spotted Yaoyorozu, her gaze softened, her smile widened, and she might as well be seeing cartoon hearts from how enamored she was just at the sight of this woman. ( @huge-helping-of-hands )
Yaoyorozu was dressed in a classy black dress with a silver necklace and white tights. It wasn't out of the ordinary for her to wear something like it, so she very comfortable. Only thing out of her usual was her hair was down.
"Kendo, lovely seeing you here, I apologize for not putting my hair up, I was struggling and then I saw the time and knew it wouldn't be worth being late over."
I feel you, most of my nights feel like restless nights honestly.
i've never really found anything that works consistently so i tend to move between them randomly but i've listed them all out under the cut and i hope something helps!
I also made this into a google doc (currently still fixing formatting!) since i don't trust this site to not randomly delete what i've typed.
as always, if anyone reading this has something to add please feel free to comment or add an addition to the post and i'll reblog it!
first, i tend to find it gets worse if i have something to early in the morning or if i take my meds after 12pm? i haven't found a solution to the first one i don't take my meds past 12pm unless i absolutely have to. it makes the day difficult is better than not sleeping!
listening to something! i've personally found this to be the most consistently helpful as it helps to give me something to latch my mind onto when it feels like its dancing everywhere. i went through a phase where i listened to those ambient sounds people make on youtube (i'm really specific about the ones i like so here's a link to my favourites) but more often now tend to use podcasts or audiobooks.
what i listen to usually depends on my mood but i find picking something that's familiar but still fresh enough to interest me helps the most. Since we’ll be here forever if i list them all (am happy to make a post about podcasts if anyone is interested! Here is 5 of my favourites (in no particular order). i will warn you i wouldn't necessarily recommend them for sleep due to the topics, it's mostly because i'm familiar with the hosts voices and find them comforting at this point!
this wuthering heights audiobook from BBC sounds which is free in the UK (TV licence not required!) although i'm unsure how accessing it works internationally.
the magnus archives is something i feel like everyone on tumblr knows at this point and while i've unfortunately never really manage to follow that well because i use it to sleep i have loved it regardless.
this podcast will kill you is probably the one i listen to most for this since it's my comfort podcast at this point <3 i highly recommend listening to this generally if you're interested in infectious diseases or science! it's run by two people that studied disease ecology and epidemiology who break down the science, history and current treatments and understandings of infectious diseases in a really accessible and interesting way. i will warn you that each episode starts has an accompanying alcoholic ("quarantini") and non-alcoholic ("placeboritas") drink, but they also have alcohol-free versions of episodes if you'd rather avoid that part! they're also really good at linking all of their sources if you're interested in learning more! because i've heard every episode at this point i usually choose one i haven't heard in a while which stops my mind from wondering as much!
you’re wrong about breaks down a lot of common misconceptions about various topics in history! some favourites of mine are “true crime with emma berquist”, “the satanic panic” (as well as the host’s miniseries with CBC about this topic; “the devil you know”) and “your joy and resilience stories”
the brighter side podcast is probably the most sleep friendly of these! The hosts find the brighter side of the current world (which i feel is very much needed in this climate!)
reading! I’ve sadly gotten out of this habit but, I used to be completely unable to sleep without reading! I find it helpful for similar reasons as listening to things, it helps to find to something for my mind to latch onto.
a cooler room or fresh air! this is a really common one that I’m sure you’re probably familiar with since its one that is mentioned basically everywhere, but I find it really does help! I have a fan facing my bed which helps a lot and i also find the sound itself really calming. sometimes when i really can’t sleep i'll open my window and stare at the stars for a bit (if they are willing to let us seem that night). this is a lot more helpful when i’m at my parents since they live in a rural area. there’s no streetlights and very little outside traffic but if i’m in a city it still helps a little!
similar the other one going for a walk! i cannot express how important it is that you obviously only do this if it’s safe for you to do so. i haven’t been able to do this in a while but, when i was at uni i used to go on midnight walks with a friend who also struggled to sleep, and it helped a lot.
writing! I’ve found it doesn’t always matter what i write, sometimes it’s whatever son my mind or sometimes i try creative writing or what i did that day or my plans fro tomorrow. i usually just write whatever i feel is most helpful at the time. i usually find it more helpful if i handwrite it in a notebook (i keep one by my bed) but typing on my phone/computer can help as well if i don’t have it!
routine! i am a huge hypocrite to recommend this because I suck at having a consistent bedtime routine but if i manage it, it does help with getting to sleep.
water! sometimes when I wake up and can’t get back to sleep its simply because i’m really dehydrated and don’t even realise it? I try and remember to keep water by my bed for my meds but it’s also helpful to have for this reason! if i’m really anxious or my heart is racing i sometimes also go to the bathroom and run my wrists under cold water or put a cold flannel on the back of my neck. if i’m really desperate to calm it down i’ll dunk my face in cold water for a few seconds to trigger the “diving reflex”. (although this definitely does wake me up a bit!) I have heard this can also be triggered by putting a cold wet flannel over your eyebrows and cheekbones but i haven’t found it as helpful.
meditation/breathing exercises! this has never really helped me all that much but, I have heard some people say it’s helped them. i’ve heard that “4-7-8 breathing” (breathing in for 4 seconds, holding for 7 and exhaling for 8) is can sometimes help with relaxing your muscles and helping you sleep. i always recommend the smiling mind app for free meditation exercises (they have some sleep specific ones as well!) but there’s plenty on youtube ect as well.
hi! I always see you liking my post and I THOUGHT I FOLLOWED YOU but I didn't!! now I do 🥺💖 I'm taking this chance to ask you a question, if alina from shadow and bone was a taylor swift song what would it be? (in your opinion ofc)
just started reading the second book and watching the series hehe ^-^ have a nice day!!
Hello!! thank you so much, i love your blog 🥺🥺. also GOOD question i think the archer, especially earlier on in the series as she's coming to terms with herself and her magic but mad woman or vigilante shit is giving more of her vibes towards the end!! and oh my goodness i hope you're enjoying the books!! i desperately need to reread them <33
Kendo wandered into the 1-A dorms with the bouquet in hand. She sent smiles and waves back to the few people who greeted her, but stayed focus on searching for Yaoyorozu. When she spotter her, her smile grew even wider.
Heya Yaoyorozu! I, uh, I got something for you
@huge-helping-of-hands
Yaoyorozu looked up from the book sne was reading, setting it aside with a bookmark in it. It was completely in English, probably something for extra credit with Mic. She smiled at the flowers and took them in hand, smelling them.
"These are delightful Kendo! You really didn't have to. Where'd you get these?"
Kendo walked to the 1-A dorm building. They picked a time during a study period, so it would be mostly empty. And the common area was most convenient for Yaoyorozu, who would be providing several teas.
She stepped confident through the doors, giving polite nods to the few people she passed, and then spotted who she was looking for. "Yaoyorozu! Heya! I hope I'm not too early."
- @huge-helping-of-hands
"Of course not, you're right on time actually." She smiledas she set a tray that had a tea pot and cups onto the table. Earlier that day she was having some particular trouble with her hair, so she instead kept it down and brushed it. It wasn't completely unusual for her.
Yaoyorozu pulled out a chair for Kendo, before sitting in the one directly across from her. Passing her an empty cup and filling it half way with the tea, it had a fine orangeish brown colour to it.
