What Do YOU Have On/In Your Nightstand?

One night as I reached over and opened the drawer of my nightstand to prepare my medication for the next morning—like I do every night—I looked in and saw a hodgepodge of random things. Suddenly, the thought popped in my head, ‘What do other people have in, or sitting on, their nightstand?’, because the things I saw in my nightstand made me chuckle. Did I peak your interest? Ok ‘Nosy Nellies’ I’ll tell you what I have but you have to promise to share with me all your odd nightstand knickknacks in the comment section below or feel free to email me directly.

Sitting on top of my nightstand are a stack of books I’ve read recently, a book I’m currently reading, and books I intend to read next. An elaborate tissue box, a lamp and a baby monitor which I still use for my son to communicate with since I’m on the main floor and he’s in the loft just above me. Often times a couple of hair ties, the t.v. remote, and where I normally lay my phone down before turning it off just before drifting off to sleep. Lastly, a coaster my son made in kindergarten and, as previously mentioned, my medication ready for the next morning (7:00 am sharp!).

In my nightstand things get a little less ordinary. I’ll start with the most ordinary things like some costume jewelry, a couple pairs of eye glasses, and coins that I probably threw in there while emptying the contents of my pant pockets before tossing them into the wash. I have little notes that my son wrote to me and a bunch of safety pins from removing my dry cleaning tags. A half burned bundle of sage that I intended on using again ‘soon’ but I see is still sitting there slowly making an ashy mess! Oops, I should really clean that up.

Pens, an old headset, and a set of AA batteries which I have no idea what they are doing there (if you went there you are dead wrong, not that there is anything wrong with it…). A children’s book and HPA Lanolin cream used to sooth dry cracked nipples when breastfeeding! OMG! Ok, clearly I have not rummaged through this drawer in nearly a decade! (tossing that out immediately). More than one rosary (which I have never used as a method of prayer) and handmade cards from my kids over the years. In the second drawer a whole bunch of pijama sets and robes. Phew, I’m done!

I can recall my childhood nightstand vividly. A pink lamp placed on a handmade doily, a pink phone/clock radio, and a glow in the dark plastic figurine of baby Jesus in a manger, and that was it. Simpler times I guess…

Sharing these intimate, seemingly inconsequential details of my life serves a purpose. It doesn’t matter how we spent our day—our common thread is simple—we are people just trying to make it through this journey called life. At the end of your day and mine, we retire to our small spaces and the last things we turn away from before drifting off to sleep are not all that different, regardless of circumstances or even economic status. Your proverbial nightstand I hope serves as a reminder that you are not alone, no matter how lonely you might be or feel. Each one of us will curl up to rest up each night—we are no more or less different or important than one another.

P.S. Don’t wait nearly 10 years to clean out your nightstand!