If you're listening, you know self-care is vital for overall wellness,

but it can be hard to prioritize yourself and ask for what you need.

If you're a veteran going through a tough time,

there are people who want to listen and help with no pressure or judgment.

Dial 988, then press 1. Chat at veteranscrisisline.net or text 8355 to reach the

Veterans Crisis Line. Responders are ready to support you no matter what you're going through.

Welcome to Bedtime stories for everyone,

in which nothing much happens.

You feel good, and then you fall asleep.

I'm Catherine Nikolai.

I write and read all the stories you'll hear on Nothing Much Happens. Audio Engineering is by Bob Wittersheim. We give to a different

charity each week, and this week we are giving to GLAD, GLBTQ, advocates and defenders, working to create a just society, free of discrimination based on gender identity and expression. You can learn more about them in our show notes.

We also have links in our notes to our ad-free and bonus subscriptions. Our super cozy merch, including our new coloring set and weighted pillow. Your support makes this possible.

Now Bob and I are taking this week off, so we're bringing you a special episode. It's a two-parter that has never appeared in front of the paywall.

We've put it all together into one so that you get an extra long bedtime story tonight.

Enjoy.

Now you know how this works.

I've prepared a place for you to tuck into and rest.

All you need to do is let your attention rest on the shape of the story, and the sound of my voice.

Of course, I'll read the story twice, going a little slower the second time through.

Just shifting your attention from the background static of your thoughts to the gentle structure

of my tale.

...