Me: Alright brain, let’s sleep now.
Brain: What about a highlight reel of embarrassing things until the wee hours?

brain: so about those thoughts...

my bad thoughts are making good sleep impossible

Bad sleep is better than bad and short sleep, maybe you'll eventually get good sleep?

“Alright, self, time to lay down before you conk out. But first, a six hour reel of times women were throwing themselves at you, and you didn’t realize it until years later: a heartbreak extravaganza on repeat. Please cringe until six in the morning, thanks.”

what about bad and short sleep? :(

nvm, i am sleep deprived. disregard

Meditation can be super helpful, for real. I always meditate at night in bed if I'm not already super tired.

Literally just sitting there actively pushing away all thoughts as much as possible. Guided meditations can help to start.

I'm in this picture and I don't like it

You gotta really distract the brain when this happens. Try listening to an audiobook or podcast, but make it something you already know so that it's interesting but you're passively listening instead of active listening.