Sleep Series No.09
Anna Ravn Lei
Anna is the co-founder of Ocean, a Copenhagen based creative direction, production & location service.
Tell us a bit about yourself?
My name is Anna Ravn Lei. I am 31 and live on an old farm one hour south of Copenhagen with my boyfriend, Arbi, and our dog, Bobo. We are expecting our first child, a little girl, at the end of March.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Both my boyfriend and I are self-employed, so we work from our farmhouse most days. I run a creative direction and photo production company called Ocean Productions together with my friend Emma, and as part of that I also do analogue photography. We started it almost six years ago. Being self-employed, each day is different, which is also what I love about my job — the freedom and the flexibility. That said, I do have a little morning routine. I start my day with a walk around our farm with my dog Bobo, followed by a freshly squeezed grapefruit juice. I look forward to it every day.
What inspired you to start Ocean?
I had been working in the fashion industry for quite some time, and so had my partner Emma. We started noticing certain patterns in how the industry worked around photo production that we wanted to do differently. We wanted to create more transparency and authenticity in the photos. So we both quit our jobs and started Ocean.
How do you manage to switch off from work?
Being self-employed, it can be really tricky switching off from work, and I still struggle with it sometimes. But allowing myself to work when I feel like working has really helped. Not following traditional working hours when the motivation isn’t there — and not forcing it — has been a great relief. If my body needs it, I sleep a bit longer. And if my creativity and motivation are there in the evening, I work then instead.
How are you feeling right now, in this season of life?
I feel like I am in a big transition being pregnant with my first child. So much is happening with both my body and my mind. It can feel a bit overwhelming sometimes. But I try to take it day by day and not let my thoughts take over, because at the same time it also feels like the most natural process. It feels like the biggest personal growth awaits if I just stay open and let it flow, and try not to overthink.
What does your evening ritual look like — how do you transition from the energy of the day into something quieter?
I always change into something soft and comfortable in the evening. Changing the clothes I have been wearing all day helps my mind shift and relax. And then having tea on the sofa with my boyfriend and our dog is the best way to end the day.
How are you sleeping?
I am normally a big sleeper, I can easily sleep 10 hours straight every night. I love sleep and usually fall asleep easily. But since I got pregnant, that has changed a bit, and I wake up more often. It feels like my body is preparing me for having a baby.
What does rest mean to you beyond just sleep?
I have really started to understand the importance of rest, especially being self-employed. At the same time, I still struggle with giving myself time to rest. I am a doer and can always find things to do throughout the day. It is both a blessing and a curse. So I try to practice taking a little time every day to rest and simply have a moment of doing nothing.
How do you curate a calm, relaxing environment for sleep and in the home generally?
I like to keep my home clean and free from too much clutter. I am very visual, so I need calm surroundings. Things like the right lighting in our house are also very important to me and can create the perfect relaxing environment.
What does a perfect weekend morning look like to you?
I bake sourdough bread almost every weekend, and it is one of my favourite things to do. It really calms my mind, and I love the satisfaction of making a perfect loaf of bread.
How has the anticipation of becoming a mother begun to shift the way you think about rest and making space for yourself?
I have actually given this a lot of thought, because I think I need to be even more intentional about taking time for myself and getting some rest. I think having that awareness already during pregnancy can be a great start.
What are you hoping to carry into motherhood — the rituals, the rhythms, the small things that ground you?
I hope to carry the small daily rituals that help me slow down and stay present — like quiet mornings baking, walks outside with my dog, and small moments of rest throughout the day.
What drew you to HONNA, and how does what you wear to bed factor into how you rest?
I love the whole universe around HONNA and the idea that sleep is not just sleep — it is about rest and truly taking time for yourself. What you wear and how you practice your sleep routines can be crucial to how you feel throughout the day and how much energy you have.
Your favourite style from the collection?
I love the pale pink. The colour is so soft and gentle, and it makes me dream of springtime and lighter days ahead.
Anna wears the Relaxed pyjama set in Pale Pink, The Slate Blue Stripe Classic pyjama set, and the Off-White Classic pyjama shorts Set.
Discover Ocean and follow Anna on Instagram for more inspiration, here
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Images shot on analogue by Anna Ravn Lei. Images and text cannot be used or shared without Anna's permission.