I’ve noticed that when I can fall asleep, the mind keeps working on its’ own but I slowly stop paying attention to it, like it’s talking in the background and I’m zoning out. I start by gently focusing on my exhales.

Then suddenly the mind will take me on a trip, without me even realizing it. I’m asleep.

Some nights, I do “count sheep”, but with lists, like:
“Five world capitals that start with the letter B”, or
“Twenty movies with Robert De Niro”