"أعتقد أن الليل مظلم حتى تتمكن من تخيل مخاوفك مع تشتت أقل"

Nighttime provides a canvas for your fears. No distractions or noise, just you and your thoughts. It’s almost as if the darkness invites you to face what scares you, head-on. There's no hiding in the light, no pretending, just raw, unfiltered fear.

Historically, this idea isn't new. Humans have always feared the night. Before electricity, nighttime was when dangers prowled – predators, thieves, the unknown. Even now, the dark symbolizes the unknown and the unseen, a space where our minds can wander unchecked. When it’s dark, we can’t distract ourselves with the busyness of the day. That’s when our worries, big and small, come to the forefront.

Imagine you're lying in bed, trying to sleep. The house is silent, the world outside is hushed. Instead of falling asleep, your mind starts racing. You think about that argument you had with a friend, the big meeting tomorrow, or that health scare you heard about. The darkness wraps around you, amplifying those fears. In the light, you can push them aside. But at night, they demand your attention.

So, how do you deal with this? Here’s some advice: don’t fight it. When your fears come at night, acknowledge them. Sometimes just naming them – giving them form – can make them less terrifying. Write them down, if you need to. A worry in your mind can seem huge, but on paper, it might look more manageable.

Think about a time when a friend of mine, Sarah, had a big presentation to give. She’s a natural worrier, and the night before the presentation, she couldn’t sleep. The dark room felt like it was closing in on her, each minute ticking by making her more anxious. Instead of fighting it, she got up and wrote down everything she was worried about: freezing up, forgetting her lines, her boss's reaction. Once it was on paper, she realized she had a plan for each worry – a backup slide, a notecard with key points, a reminder that she was prepared. The act of writing it down and seeing it clearly helped her calm down and eventually fall asleep.

Here's a relatable scenario: You're in bed, wide awake, your mind swirling with thoughts of an impending work deadline. The darkness feels suffocating. Instead of tossing and turning, get up. Turn on a small light and jot down each worry in your notebook. Next to each, write a possible solution or a step you can take tomorrow. This simple act gives you a sense of control. It’s not about solving everything right now, but about acknowledging your fears and preparing to face them.

Nighttime doesn’t have to be scary. It’s a chance to face what’s been lurking in the corners of your mind. And once you do, you might find that the monsters aren’t as big as you thought. So next time the darkness brings your fears to the surface, don’t push them away. Shine your own light on them and see them for what they are – just thoughts, waiting for your attention.