Today is the shortest day!

[Tickets25]

Always gives me a bit of a boost that lighter days are on the way!

Me too!
Yesterday i was actually thinking about buying a bag of compost and planting some seeds. I’m so ready for spring.

It is but I find January far worse. The mornings are darker for a few weeks and the run up to Christmas takes the edge off for me.

Roll on mid Feb.

This is my favourite day! Better than Christmas! By the first week in January it’s usually still light at 5pm 🎉🎉🎉🎉

Me too, can't wait for long hours of daylight.

My user name feels rather apt today. I dread November to feb every year but it always feels like its starting to get better when its not so dark.

Aww thank the lord 🙏 Honestly, I like the darker nights up to now, hate dark mornings but I am so ready for spring already 😊

Yippee. I really love January and February too, when the days are hopefully crisper and a bit brighter. As soon as Boxing Day is over, it’s out with the seed and plant catalogues!

I am fascinated by it, how Earth can tilt like it does, we are the farthest away from the sun today, therefore the longest night of the year. Make the most of it, light candles, fairy lights, early cosy night, good book, hot drink.

Today is my favourite day too. It won’t be long before we see snowdrops and then it’s all good.

This autumn has just been unrelenting rain and gloom, the glorious summer seems like a lifetime away. Even yesterday, which was dry, was just dark and damp all day. I don’t know how anyone can stay cheerful in it. I run a lot but having my kit and trainers get soaked everyday and not getting any proper sun when I’m out means the benefit isn’t really paying off.

Onwards and upwards!

Yes! It’s so dark and the street lights don’t seem to give the same light as they used to or there are fewer of them. I notice the change in light even in January as I’m walking daily with my dog. 🌞

I think you mean February.

Have a look at this live webcam from Ireland

Newgrange Winter Solstice 2025 | Heritage Ireland

I always get a boost once the shortest day has passed. Think I have SAD as I really get affected by the longer nights. I’ll invest in a light box.

I always feel like the longest day is early in summer but then the shortest feels early in winter so it’s a good mix.

I love both but although weather and seasons never get me down I have an emotional reaction to the longest day passing. The flip side is this day feels upbeat.

Agree. It feels sad when it’s only June and the days are getting shorter but now we can enjoy the gradual lightening.

I’m in the east and sunset today is 3.45!

I was talking to some graduates a three weeks ago and one mentioned how dark it was.
I said "don't worry will start getting lighter again in 3 weeks".
She said "I hope you're right!" Not just once, but several times during the conversation, even after I said it was the winter solstice on the 21st.

I couldn't believe they had no idea.

3.52 for me! It gets a minute a day longer.

15:42 here. North and East. I think I picked the worst place to live 🥴.

(The sun only rose 7 minutes ago)

Northerndoglover my garden is already full of snowdrops shoots, as well as a few daffodils. Perhaps I am further south than you, although one of the snowdrop varieties I have is an early one anyway.

I don't especially mind the dark nights, I have knitting, crotchet and a stack of books to keep me busy indoors but I love the return of the light. I find today more meaningful than the 25th so will spend a quiet hour or so in my garden around 3 pm and be grateful for the nature around me.

Happy Solstice everyone.

I am quite far north. Last year they came through early Jan but we had a mild winter didn’t we?

Seeing them is like a hug to the soul.

Who has the earliest sunset on this thread?

I’m so intrigued by longest / shortest days I should travel to see it but usually go for hot sunny places on holiday.

Love your positivity!

Thank goodness! The endless dark and gloom really drags me down - driving to and from work in the dark, walking the dog in the dark with only a short walk in the daylight at lunchtime, living under heavy clothing, electric lights rather than natural daylight, the damp, rainy weather and grey skies.

Every year I try and focus on the positives, the hygge and the coorie, and every year I think no, it's still shit,

It really is the dark dog walks at either end of the day that get me down the most. I don’t mind the cosiness inside.