These Miserable Dark Evenings

[Thatsshallot1967]

Just wondering what you all do in the evenings when it's not long until daylight saving - and dark even earlier - to beat the early autumn/winter blues?

I miss being able to sit in my little courtyard garden at 7pm, get a late tennis doubles match in, go for a walk in the evening sun etc. it really is just TV and MN (which ain't all bad!)

Six months at least until lighter evenings start again. Any tips/ideas? What are you doing right now?

I try and make sure I've had loads of outside time during the brightest part of the day, so that I'm tired out by evening and curling up in the sofa doesn't feel like a punishment. I also got a Lumie wake-up alarm which I'm liking so far... It wakes me with gradual light and the sound of birdsong is the alarm 😁

Zeppelin I like the sound of the alarm!
I'm fortunate to not be in FT work - inside - so can get out daytime but it's still soooo all encompassing, the dark dreary evenings, particularly the start to autumn. And considerably worse after Christmas.

I absolutely love this time of year, I'm looking forward to the clocks going back and it being pitch black at half 3 in the afternoon. I take walks on my days off to get some daylight plus ensure I'm taking a very high dose of vitamin D, but that's mainly because I don't see daylight for 4 days in a row when I'm working. Maybe get one of those fancy lamps that reduces seasonal depression

I really like it being dark already. It's more relaxed for me. I find it oppressive being light past about 7, 8 at the latest.

TV, crochet, jigsaws. Same as I would on a summer evening!

Embrace it! I love cosy winter evenings, candles, ambient lighting, snuggling up under throws on the sofa.

I count the days until new year when the evenings start to get lighter. I go to bed as early as I can and listen to the radio.

Do some sports
go to the pub
read a book

I go to the gym. I like being in a bright building and creating some endorphins to see me through the gloomy nights.

Yes definitely will embrace. The big fluffy blanket is out already.

I play loads of tennis during the week but despite that the gloomy evenings put me into a bit of a dive!

I find the dark mornings far harder than the dark evenings. Going for a run at 6am is taking a lot if willpower right now.

A holiday between Christmas and Easter really helps me.

If I was Prime Minister, ending the arcane practice of GMT in winter would be the first non-economic decision I would make.

I go to the gym, study or watch football most evenings. I love this time of year.

This is what I do.

And try not to think too much about the gas and leccy bills...!

Aw I love winter! I actually like the dark nights when it's nice and cold and fresh, Xmas lights, getting snuggly with my candles. I hate beig too hot in the summer!!

I watch a lot of TV in winter when I am not out. I miss being able to potter about in my garden on a warm summer evening.

Candles and fairy lights hurt my eyes, so I have the lights on.

I dislike the long dark nights. They feel oppressive, and I get cabin fever. I like being outside a lot, but not when it is cold and dark.

Quite interested in how 'daylight saving' all came about; will need to do a proper Google but I understand it has something to do with agriculture/farming industry? I think if it didn't happen our youngsters would be walking to school in the dark, possibly...

I think if it didn't happen our youngsters would be walking to school in the dark, possibly...

They tried it when I was at primary school between 1968 and 1971, and we did walk to school in the dark.

If I was Prime Minister, ending the arcane practice of GMT in winter would be the first non-economic decision I would make.
I'd go the other way and end BST. Can't be doing with it being still light at 10.30pm. It feels all wrong.

@Thatsshallot1967 I understand. It's 4.15 pm and the grim rain and falling darkness have driven me to bed at 4.14pm. An easy book and film will keep me going in this cocoon for a couple of hours. Sleep and hope for at least a bit of brightness tomorrow.

And yes, before people ask, I have a lamp, eat fairly well, try to get some outdoor activity every day and take vitamin D. But I still hate winter and really, really struggle.

Good luck Shallot et al :)

@DappledThings I consider GMT all year round the second best option, what we do now the worst of the three.

I enjoy the dark evenings too. I fill them with cooking, eating really well, telly, films, books and going to bed early. I love long sunny evenings where I can go for walks after dinner. Neither is better or worse, just different

I much prefer dark evenings than mornings. My dc finish school at half past 2 so are walking home when it is still light; I am glad that they don't have to walk to school in the dark - it's a 2 mile walk and it doesn't get properly light until 8a.m. at this time of year.

I hate the dark evenings. I am stuck at home doing childcare so I can't even go out. In the summer I love the long evenings in the garden.

I have mainly been spending them having baths, doing a little yoga and watching something happy on TV.