The note I leave on my nightstand

Most evenings, before I turn off the light, I do something small: I tear off a little slip of paper and write two lines. The first is one thing from today that's finished — even if it's as small as 'made the bed' or 'answered that email I'd been avoiding.' The second is one small kindness I'm allowed tomorrow — 'take the long way home,' 'call my sister,' whatever feels doable.

Some nights I forget, and that's fine — the paper just sits there waiting. But on the nights I do it, I notice my mind stops replaying the day's loose ends quite so loudly. There's something about giving the day a clean ending, and the morning a tiny head start, that helps me rest a little easier.

Do you have any little ritual that closes out your day? I'd love to hear it.