Thread for anyone struggling at the thought of long dark evenings #hotchocandhyggetypesnotyourthread

[Hobnobswantshernameback]

I hate the long dark evenings.
I know they are inevitable.
But every year is worse. Think it's also coupled to menopause symptoms where my general mood and anxiety levels are dreadful.
During the working week November to T he end of February I barely see daylight.
I try and get as much as I can but it's tricky to get outside during the working day
i take vitamin D. I exercise as much as I can.
I do try and embrace the seasons. But I just feel really daunted this year by the thought of it being dark so early
anyone want to commiserate or share any coping strategies
And no I don't want to snuggle under a blankie with a hot choc
just in case anyone thinks that's what I need 😂

That would explain things - DH and I left the hospital where we’d been visiting today at ten to four today and commented on how light it was compared to a week ago.

On the negative side it’s been freezing cold and we have snow ☹️

pouring down here today and dark
at least warmer
suddenly the solstice is nearly here
hurrah
my Energy levels are really low with some weird viral thing that I can't shake off so trying to get Xmas sorted is proving a challenge
hopefully even slightly lighter evenings will help

No more school for a fortnight so I get an extra hour sleep in the morning. And I'll be early for work. I think the worst should be over for now.

Solstice/ year turning plans anyone?

To celebrate with a glass of something nice. The thought that we're on the countdown to the arrival of spring and summer is lovely.

Taking DS to school this morning it occurred to me the next time I take him it'll be lighter a little bit earlier in the morning

Definitely a fire in the garden for me. And then very early chanting in the first light of the 22nd. Aka same as last year

It's the shortest day, yay 👏👏👏 I've been counting down to this for weeks, there's finally a light at the end of the very long, dark tunnel 😊

Light at the end of the tunnel describes it perfectly. November and December are such shit months with the darkness and from here on we're going in the other direction.

We've made it! We can finally start to emerge from the darkness and gloom (and snuggly blankies and hot choccies) ☀😍

I am back from a holiday in a sunny European city. Don't hate me please; this is my first break in over 3 years thanks to Covid.:)

Come back to improved weather- it's sunny today in London- but also have a massive to-do list. But have optimistically fixed to meet a friend tomorrow in the park!

I don't hate you...I envy you! Hope you had a fab break - just what's needed at this time of year 😀

Days will be getting longer, definitely cause for celebration.

Solstice sunset - and bonus murmurations!

Happy Soltice everyone! That looks fabulous @stilldumdedumming. Love your socks too!

*solstice

Thanks for this thread @Hobnobswantshernameback and all contributors. I've only lurked here but we've had a horrid time lately at Wilko mansions and it's been an (ever increasing) ray of light in some dark times.
Here's to the end of dark days. Xx

Made it over the solstice hump
the distraction of Christmas for a week or two
and then countdown to February holiday
keep going guys 😂

Its good to know we are over halfway through. Half my Facebook friends seem to be in the Canaries, its lovely knowing there are hot sunshine places still on this planet! It won't be winter forever x

This is so interesting. I assumed that both the morning and evening became lighter concurrently.

I am desperate for lighter mornings. Looks like I'll have to wait a bit longer....

Ah that is interesting. I have really felt the dark mornings - in fact that's the part I hate the most! So yeah could really do with that lightening up.

I chanted in the light yesterday morning (because I'm a massive hippy). Started in crystal clear darkness and emerged from meditation to absolute mist and gloom!

This is the point at which I dropped off the thread last year. My partner had a massive seizure on Xmas day and then the week following was suicidal and violent. He's not normally either of those. It was extremely grim.

But also (and I don't want to be a moaner but I clearly am), I really really struggle with February March and April! I think it's because I get so low in winter time?

I’m so sorry to hear that and that’s not moaning at all. That’s dealing with hugely difficult circumstances.

This is the second year in a row my own DH has ended up in hospital in November/December. Last year it was 11 days due to Covid, this year it was 15 days due to pneumonia. And now we will anticipate the same thing again in winters to come as he is CEV.

It just adds to the brutality of it.

How are we all? I've been laid low with this virus thing. But now is the time I need to dig in.

Oh no ☹️hope you feel a bit better soon. I’ve been ok but still struggling with the short days, and the endless rain here is getting me down. I usually love walking my dog, but it’s not enjoyable at all. Hopefully the coming weeks will see an improvement in both, I’m completely done with winter.

Hey fellow dark haters. Battling on here. Googling holidays I can't afford and dont have child care for, and dreaming of when DC are old enough for me to fly off to Marrakech last minute!!

Chanting in the sun sounds good. I start every day with a salute to the sun, bloody hate it when I am up before the sun. But its the afternoons that are really really getting to me.