#the night school

[fungus-and-bone]

The Night School - Night 1

This is a personal journal, but you are encouraged to read and interact. 💙

Saturday, 8th of July, 2:00am

The Night School is a book written by Maia Toll and illustrated by Lucille Clerc that teaches "lessons in moonlight, magic, and the mysteries of being human" on a night-by-night basis. There are two semesters contained within the book, and I just started the first.

The first "class" teaches you how to discover your night-self. Who you are at night is a direct mirror of who you are during the day. Opposite, but the same, they balance each other. This class asked you to step outside during the dark hours of the night and observe using all of your senses, not only your surroundings, but yourself.

Even with only the light of a couple candles and the neighbor's fairy lights around their porch it seemed bright outside. There was no moon and no stars, as they were covered by clouds, and yet the sky, instead of being black as pitch, was a deep blue. Not the blue of the deep ocean, but a sort of mid-blue. Much too saturated for what I thought should be a dark sky. The canopies of the little trees in my yard were black in contrast, or maybe they, too were blue, just much darker than the backdrop. The very tops of the leaves were a slightly lighter shade. This surprised me again, as with no moon and no stars, I didn't know what was illuminating them. The fence was black, the yard was... green, perhaps? A very dark green? With the blue filter of night over everything, it was difficult to tell color. Everything was dark, but not as dark as I thought it should be. I know I'm repeating myself, but it's only because I was truly surprised by how bright everything seemed. The author explains in the beginning of the book that all humans have nightvision. Not to the extent of nocturnal animals, sure, but we do have it. "My eyes haven't adjusted to the dark." I say that sometimes. That's our nightvision, and perhaps that's what I was experiencing for the first time. Usually when I go out at night, I turn the porch light on, but this time, I only had a couple of candles, and when I was observing the night, I had my back to them. I felt like I was truly seeing the night for the first time.

In contrast to the surprise my eyes found, I heard exactly what I expected to hear; the same sound that I often hear out my window at night, even when it's closed tight. Crickets, or perhaps cicadas, sometimes right outside my bedroom and sometimes far away. Tonight, it seemed they were far away. In addition to that, there are the air conditioning units that almost all of the houses in my neighborhood have, including my own. You don't realize how truly deafening they are until they finally stop, and you're enveloped in blessed silence and the songs of crickets. There was no wind tonight, else I might've heard the rustling of the trees. I did hear the odd dog, as well, but luckily no fireworks. It's four days after the 4th of July, you'd think everyone would be done with fireworks by now, but they seem to have more, more, more, to annoy me with. But I digress. The hum of the AC and the crickets were pleasant, but it was when the AC units turned off that I found my peace.

The book also asks us to taste the night. I did try. I opened my mouth and stuck my tongue out, and I stood there like that for a good long while before I had to admit to myself that I didn't taste anything. There was a certain crispness to the air, perhaps, but that was all.

How I felt the night, though! It weighed on my arms and shoulders like a weighted blanket, heavy, but not uncomfortable, and it was so cool in contrast to the heat of my bedroom. I tend to run hot and am always complaining about the temperature. I opened my back door and stepped out, and the night draped me in a cloak of cool air, a blessed relief. Now that I'm back in my room, I'm hot and craving the cool kiss of the dark once more.

And it smelled like home. I didn't realize how truly stuffy and stale the air in my home is until I came back in from outside. The night air was crisp and clean, and it smelled of damp, and earth, and rain. It was truly a breath of fresh air, and now I'll never take that phrase for granted. As each breath filled my lungs, I felt as if life was being breathed back into my tired bones, as if the withered vines and flowers in my chest were once again beginning to sprout and bloom.

I met my night self, and he's so different from who I struggle to be during the day. He is awake and alive, he can think clearly, and he has hope. He-... I am connected to everything, from the earth beneath my feet to the stars above my head. It's both overwhelming and comforting, knowing that I am so small, but a part of something so big.

The homework for the first class was to write a couple of haikus using what I experienced my first night in the shadows. Here goes.

Breathless starlit sky Call me to your open wings Teach me how to fly.

I rest in silence Waiting for your whispered word I am your student.

[cartografiadaausencia]

Gerrit Dou, "The Night School"

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

03.04.2017

[saturnvs]

stjärnfall / falling stars

[thejagermeister]

the curse of local theatre is that a show can change you forever and there is no recording of it anywhere at all and after a few years all you have are scattered memories and the knowledge that you were different before.

[biggest-gaudiest-patronuses]

we need more hero/arch-nemesis duos whose backstory is being bitterly, bitterly divorced

[chloesimaginationthings]

Mike can’t handle Abby in the next FNAF movie..

[egophiliac]

Malleus' bday is coming up, thoughts on what his sleepwear might be?

anticipating that reveal any time now, so gotta get my predictions in real quick (aka extremely fast drawings) (I'm sorry)

[chonkadonk]

fnaf fans is it over for us all

[lotus-pear]

ok gayboy

[girlwithrituals]

20 NIGHT JOURNAL PROMPTS TO CLEAR YOUR MIND BEFORE BEDTIME

1. what's on my mind right now?

2. how am i feeling right now?

3. write down one word to describe my day (calm or hectic, productive or unproductive, etc.) and write a sentence about it (today was calm because i did my morning routine and that helped me stay in the present moment)

4. what am i grateful for today?

5. emotions i felt today include...

6. what did i do today to make myself proud?

7. what did i learn about myself today?

8. what is something I accomplished today, big or small, and how did it make me feel?

9. something that bothered me today was...

10. how did I handle any stress or anxiety that came up today?

11. have i done anything to make someone else happy today?

12. write one thing that made me feel loved today.

13. what do i want to take from today into tomorrow?

14. what's my word for tomorrow?

15. what would i like tomorrow to bring me?

16. if i could change one thing about my behavior today, what would it be?

17. what is a meaningful conversation I had today and why did it stand out?

18. what are my top three priorities for tomorrow?

19. what's one thing I can do to improve tomorrow based on today's experiences?

20. how do i want to feel when i wake up tomorrow morning?

[frogloinz]

FNAF fanart in 2023? more likely than you think. 13 year old me would be very pleased with this development.

(I need him)

[kitamars]

hhhnhhghgjjghgugujgutuutghn piskin……..

[gravitycoill]

there is worms in my brain telling me to draw thanos and nam gyu squids games and i am listening to them....

[dinkeydina]

- You’re hot. You’re so hot.

- Yeah, yeah no shit, Munson. Are they even ventilating this place?!

[lazylittledragon]

'i'll just do a couple of doodles of mombin™/platonic stobin parents' nevermind, borderline graphic novel

[lilyprettyremy]

The 'It Girl' Nighttime Routine:

Every chic woman knows that a captivating day starts the night before. This routine is all about luxurious self-care – because waking up as the most poised, radiant version of yourself is a lifestyle. Ready to transform your evening into an elegant ritual? Let’s step into your new, elevated bedtime routine.

Create an Atmosphere: Begin by setting a serene mood. Dim the lights, light a sophisticated candle (think notes of sandalwood or bergamot), and play a calming jazz playlist. This is your time to unwind and transition into a world of serenity.

Sophisticated Cleansing: Start with a cleansing oil to melt away makeup and daily grime. Rinse it off, then follow with a gentle, hydrating cleanser. This double cleanse is like a reset button, leaving your skin ready for its nighttime restoration.

The Hydration Layer: Pat on a luxurious serum – hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, or a skin-renewing elixir. Then, apply a rich night cream. Imagine each layer as a silk robe for your skin, nurturing and hydrating it while you sleep.

Elevated Facial Massage: Use a jade roller or gua sha to massage in your serum. Not only is this relaxing, but it boosts circulation and helps define your natural contours. It’s a moment of quiet elegance – a way to remind yourself of your own grace.

Silk Essentials: Swap your pillowcase for silk. It’s gentle on your skin and hair, reducing friction while you sleep. A chic woman wakes up with smooth skin and effortless hair – because beauty is in the details.

Hair Ritual: Before bed, brush your hair and apply a touch of light hair oil to the ends. Twist it into a low bun or a loose braid for natural waves. It’s a simple yet sophisticated way to keep your hair looking polished in the morning.

The Nightcap: Pour yourself a cup of herbal tea – chamomile, peppermint, or lavender. Sip slowly, feeling the warmth relax your body. A classy woman indulges in these small, soothing rituals to unwind and replenish.

Outfit Planning: Select tomorrow's outfit with intention. Choose pieces that make you feel confident and chic, whether it’s a tailored blazer or that perfect little black dress. Lay everything out: jewelry, shoes, and bag – so your morning flows seamlessly.

Screen Detox: Put your phone on “Do Not Disturb” mode at least 30 minutes before bed. In this quiet time, you’re choosing presence and grace over endless scrolling.

Read Something Timeless: Replace your screen with a classic book or an inspiring magazine. This is how chic women nurture their minds and escape into elegance before drifting off.

Visualize Tomorrow: As you close your eyes, picture yourself waking up refreshed, glowing, and composed. See yourself moving through the day with grace and poise. You’re setting the stage for a day where everything aligns effortlessly.

This is more than a nighttime routine; it’s a ritual of self-respect and refinement. Wake up to your fullest potential, feeling radiant, empowered, and impeccably put-together. Sweet dreams, darling – tomorrow, the world is your runway.