Stars shining bright above you!

[u/Firm-Blackberry-9162]

By @ aerol_peterson

[u/rhapsodypenguin]

I have aphantasia, meaning I have no voluntary mental visualization. I thought the phrase “counting sheep” was a metaphor for boring yourself to sleep, I had no idea until I was in my 40s and learned that most people can visualize in their mind’s eye that it had more literal intent.

[u/aprf_ → u/rhapsodypenguin]

I have aphantasia too, but-

Recently I heard that "counting sheep" doesn't involve literal sheep at all. It just means you pick a topic you know a lot about, and just start going down a rabbit hole in your mind. It keeps your brain doing something familiar so it can calm down enough to sleep, apparently.

Idk. I just read on my phone until I'm so exhausted I can't keep my eyes open. Don't take it from me

[u/rhapsodypenguin → u/aprf_]

While it’s possible that is one interpretation of the phrase, there is no question that “literal” sheep counting is a thing.

[u/aprf_ → u/rhapsodypenguin]

...Huh. The more you know.

[u/motleyai → u/aprf_]

Yeah, I would literally count sheep as a kid. It suppose to bore the kid to sleep. Always did the opposite for me, I would start to fixate on counting and my brain got more active the more I counted. Always felt bad because by hour 3 I probably was more restless than when I started and mom had clearly fallen asleep.

I wonder if that's a sign I have some underlying ADHD or OCD.

[u/b_ambie → u/motleyai]

Yeah you should try the other method. It works so much better, especially if you have ADHD. My fiancé does too but it works like a charm for him. It's really great.

[u/throwawaymyyhoeaway → u/motleyai]

I have AuDHD and OCD traits. I'm like you. I can't focus on counting or actively thinking of something or else my mind becomes more active. It's a neurodivergent thing.

[u/BasicallyADetective → u/rhapsodypenguin]

I always imagined a long line of sheep waiting to jump over a little fence. I counted each one as it jumped. I threw in a black sheep every once in a while. And they were not realistic sheep. They were cartoon sheep with big smiles and swirly curls. I thought everyone imagined them that way.

[u/b_ambie → u/aprf_]

This is the method that actually works. And it does wonders for a lot of people. Like my fiancé. Sometimes he's so tired but still so restless after a full day of work and the gym and when he gets to bed and can't sleep, he always asks me to "do your witch magic on me" (I'm gothic and pagan so lots of those jokes). But the "magic" is literally this. For him it just involves him laying next to me or on my chest while I play with his hair. And then -the part of the magic- I choose a subject I know he knows a lot about like different sports teams, so I'll tell him to pick a sport and if he says baseball then I tell him to name as many baseball teams as he can, major or minor league, even college if he wants to. It works every time, he's out in minutes.

[u/Myrothrenous → u/aprf_]

Don't worry, we won't take your phone.

[u/aprf_ → u/Myrothrenous]

LOL that is not what I meant but it's really funny

[u/throwawaymyyhoeaway → u/aprf_]

Actually, many people do count literal sheep as well lol I tried that as a kid, doesn't work for me.

Also, you must be neurotypical. Because deeply thinking of something, especially something you know a lot about is a terrible idea for any neurodivergent. At least for me, I have diagnosed AuDHD and OCD traits and thinking of anything only makes my mind more active and start to fall down an overthinking hyperfocused rabbit hole and then I'll want to research and fact check on my phone. Or my brilliant mind might suddenly get inspired by these thoughts and want to write a whole essay on my phone about it at 3am in the morning. No bueno.

I just listen to binaural beats or sound bath music to sleep so I don't think but just listen.

[u/notafrumpy_housewife → u/rhapsodypenguin]

Hey, I was about to type this same comment! 😅

[u/HarrietOrDanielle → u/rhapsodypenguin]

Yeh just wait - 80% of redditors are just as special as you and they’ll telll you they also can’t see images in their mind…

[u/rhapsodypenguin → u/HarrietOrDanielle]

You’re not one of those aphantasia-deniers, are you