By Our Bedsides, Vol. 7 – Zoë G. Burnett
By Our Bedsides is The Attic on Eighth’s evening series, sharing the methods and products we use to unwind. During a time when keeping a regular sleeping schedule may be our last grip on reality, Contributing Editor and Film Columnist Zoë G. Burnett gives us a glimpse into her nightly routine.
Photography by Zoë G. Burnett
Since babyhood, I’ve always fought sleep. Call it chronic FOMO. From waking up in the middle of the night as a child and amusing myself until the sun came up to staying up all night in adolescence just because, life as a student and an adult made it essential for me to knock it off and go to bed.
Once my outfit for the next day is ready, the dishes are washed, and my teeth and face are addressed, I have a gentle bedtime yoga practice that stretches me out and calms me down. I prefer to silence my phone at 9pm, or at least limit usage to Podcasts and only the most interesting text conversations. Recently I removed the charger from my bedside table, in all honesty to keep myself from scrolling first thing in the morning. The newest (and oldest) addition is my 1950s alarm clock, which needs winding and has no snooze button. Sleeping like a rock as I do, its shrill reveille does no less than jerk me out of slumber.
Preparation for the coming day can be a lengthy process, so I keep my skincare regimen simple. Glossier's Milky Jelly Cleanser is my preferred 2-in-1 makeup remover and cleanser, followed by a rosewater spray. Keeping my lips and hands soft is a priority; Burt's Bees ubiquitous balm is a staple, sadly not so with Crème's limited edition Sanrio collaboration! Once my reserves are depleted, any hand cream containing shea butter will do.
After moisturizing, it helps me empty out my mind to write at least one word or phrase in my daily journal. Washi tape for ephemera and a treasured fountain pen are necessary, because I’m just that extra. While reading light non-fiction like Ladies of the Grand Tour by Brian Dolan or an absorbing novel, I use a rose quartz roller to iron out my facial muscles. Whether the crystal content does anything for my Heart Chakra or my lymphatic system remains to be seen, what I do know is that it feels lovely.
Not to denigrate special rocks! Following my more witchy friends’ advice, I keep an amethyst chunk next to my head in an attempt to relieve stress and purify the energy around me. The clear quartz amplifies these balancing and healing properties, and in the morning I press it to my crown for a moment before doing a Tarot pull. This is a new practice for me, and although I delight in the artwork of Lisa Sterle’s Modern Witch Tarot, I’m not very good at it.
Last but not least is the small guardian nearby, a Kachina from my late great aunt in Arizona. Reminiscent of my fluffy dog, he’s a comforting sight when I can’t be with her. That, and I’ve always suspected he can ward off nightmares. With a black sheepskin rug on the floor and a sleeping mask to match, I can settle in under his watchful eye to recharge.
All linked products owned by me.
Zoë G. Burnett is a writer, menswear stylist, and film enthusiast based in Boston, Massachusetts. A born and raised New England Yankee, she feels equally at home in the 7th arrondissement. She is currently editing her first novel. She is a Contributing Editor for The Attic on Eighth, as well as its Film Columnist.
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