We have arrived at the dark time of year: the pre-solstice, post-Daylight-Savings season when the sun starts dipping low in the sky by midafternoon. Even after nine years in Boston, the sudden, thick darkness always catches me off guard; the fiery, early sunsets tilt my axis off-kilter. I know it’s part of the seasonal rhythm and I know it won’t last forever. But every year, it takes some getting used to.
By now I’ve developed a few seasonal tricks: vitamin D pills, lots of citrus fruit, my beloved and signature green coat. I flip on my light box in the morning while I’m getting ready in the bathroom, and at work, I escape to the plant-filled conference room as often as possible. (It’s the only side of our office suite that gets any sunlight.)
I’ve started squeezing in a few lunchtime runs again, because while I love my regular running route along the harbor walk and the greenway in Eastie, it’s much less appealing when I get home and it’s already pitch black out (and cold). But sometimes – I admit – the dark resists my best efforts to beat it back.
I’m not sure if it’s Seasonal Affective Disorder or simply my body’s very real reaction to the turning of the year. But I’m trying to strike some kind of a balance: to acknowledge the dark while pushing back on it a little bit. To breathe deeply, brew another cup of tea, and remember that the darkness doesn’t last forever.
How do you deal with the dark – literal and otherwise – this time of year?
cakes, tea and dreams 
I don’t wait till Christmas to string some twinkly light inside. And I do what the Swedes do and light lots of candles.
Yes to twinkle lights and candles!
I used to look in on folks living in Australia a) because they are heading into summer during our chilling time (and they happily write of it), and b) because they’re 14 hrs ahead (I think) which means our tomorrow will come, too! Nowadays, tho’, if it gets a little too dark, I have a little White Merlot, lol. ❤
I was just thinking about this myself. I know that January and February are hard for me. Once the holidays are over, it’s hard to find any joy in the cold, dark season. The fun of “winter cozy” wears off fast! I am giving myself a break and giving myself permission to get through it–maybe even thrive rather than just survive–however I need to. I haven’t figured out how I’m going to do that yet….maybe start something new and fun that I always wanted to try? Get weekly dates on the calendar with my friends? Volunteer somewhere? I look forward to reading how other people manage it!
Getting through it is sometimes all we can do – and yes, dates with friends are a must.
One requirement for the dark season: get outside everyday. Teaching at Ohio State University, at a minimum, there’s the walking to and from class through a lovely main campus. That helps. After the time change, I was shocked to find it black night on leaving class at 7PM, but there was a luminous almost-full moon greeting me in the eastern sky. Love your blog, katieleigh—-
Getting outside is definitely a must. My commute and my running help with that. And thank you!