Before I begin, I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the military veterans for their courage, sacrifice and dedication to our country.
Thanks for being here! I appreciate you sticking with me, since my twice-montly cadence has been waaaay off.
Apologies for that. And Excuses?
My recent trip to Europe threw me off.
All my writing energies have gone into writing my memoir. (Working title: The Long After) When it’s published (I’m manifesting; why not?), I’ll announce it here! And send you all copies if you ask! Even signed copies! {{{Enough with the exclamation points.}}}!!
I’ve been busy running hither and yon. (Yes, quite an old-fashioned way to say it, but I kind of like it.)
And last but not least…
It’s getting darker. Much earlier than usual. One day, the sunlight was abundant, shining bright into the night, and (it seemed like) the next day, someone flipped a switch and plunged us into total darkness. At FOUR P.M.
Strange/bad/annoying things happen when the sunshine fades and the days get shorter:
I start closing up shop soon after.
Shades come down, curtains get closed, and lights switch on. I put on my pajamas, then start thinking about going to bed. But when I look at the clock, I do a double-take. It says 4:47. And I realize I haven’t even had dinner yet. Apparently, I am reverting back to childhood, when I was neatly tucked into bed by 7.
I don’t want to go out.
I realize this is very deleterious to my mental health, so I do make dinner plans with my husband or friends. But invariably, once the light fades, so does my enthusiasm - for dinner, for driving, for the considerable undertaking of getting dressed, putting on shoes and getting into the car. The bright spot? I don’t cancel; I am able to push myself and am always happy once I do.
I shop less.
Going into a store in daylight and coming out after dark is a shock to the system. How long was I actually in there? What if I can’t find my car!? Like Cinderella, I keep an eye on the clock and hurry home before the spell breaks. Except my deadline is 4:30 PM.
When people try to be all cheery and say “embrace the season,” I (try to) agree and lean in.
I light a nice candle, make soup, get comfy in my pjs. And then I look outside. Still dark. And none of that really helps. Although, come to think of it, I do have soup, and the room smells lovely.
May through October, I feel hopeful, cheerful, and energetic.
I’m up for just about anything. I want to redecorate, go anywhere, stay up late. Come November, my ambitions shrink. I want to pound, then plump, pillows; stay home, go to sleep early. Preferably in a room I redecorated when I still had energy.
Relate much?
Surely, you do, and surely, there are things we can all do to get through the darkness and find the light.
Light up your mornings.
Light therapy is a proven, established treatment for SAD (seasonal affective disorder). Light therapy boxes have been around since the 80’s. I tried one long ago, but gave up because it required sitting still in front of a large box for 20 to 30 minutes each morning. Last year, I was gifted a pair of eyeglasses called AYO, which shine a gentle blue light toward your eyes, and I swear they really help my mood. The best thing about them is you can walk around while you get the light therapy.
Get outside.
It’s another way to light up your mornings - if the sun is out, duh - but can also be energizing any time of the day. It’s even easier if you make a standing commitment to walk with a friend (still working on that one), so you actually go.
Keep a standing date - with your alarm clock.
It’s so easy and tempting to stay safe under the blankets for just one more second. Then a minute. Then an hour. Setting an alarm is like having an accountability pal. (An annoying one, admittedly, but at least it doesn’t require you to make conversation. Aim to get up at the same time every day (even on weekends.)
Put something enjoyable on the calendar - before you feel like it.
Scheduling rewarding activities when your motivation is low can give you something to look forward to and a reason to leave the house when the time comes. Coffee with a friend. A movie. A class you’ve wanted to try. (For me, it is Mahjong, which I recently started playing and have grown to love.) Book it while your ambitious self is in charge, before your blanket gets a vote.
Make comfort food work for you.
Redefine comfort food to include meals that nourish you as well as make you feel cozy. Think vegetable-and bean soup with crusty bread, oatmeal with fruit and nuts, or salmon with a baked potato. There are still opportunities for something more decadent, like pizza or a warm brownie topped with ice cream. Just keep these to the occasional indulgence than the usual fare.
I may never greet November with the same enthusiasm as I do May, when days are stretch like taffy and darkness arrives when I feel ready. But I can take steps to fight the SADness - make plans, get outside while it’s still light, and give myself a little grace on the tougher days.
And yes - enjoy my nest. But just remember to leave it now and then.
My November anthem. Best enjoyed under a blanket around 4:30 p.m.
The information provided on the site is for educational purposes only, and does not substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
Have something to say, share, rant about? You can comment below. I promise to read it!