To feel sad it's now getting dark early

[dottypotter]

Just another reminder that we are losing our Summer with the nights now drawing in?
Why does it have to fly by so fast?

Nights always seem longer when it's dark.

Apologies for this but I love when UK friends and family talk about the nights 'drawing in'. It's literally within days of us realising that the temperature is rising and the days are getting longer here in NZ!
We've had the rainiest winter in record here and been green with envy at your summer temps so we are desperate for summer!

I'm not keen on Autumn as it's a reminder that Winter will soon be upon us and I fucking hate Winter.

I love these threads as they illustrate how S.A.D can affect those who detest summer as much as those who detest winter. Neither is wrong for feeling how they do about the warmer or colder weather.

Yes, I also found his interesting while reading through the thread. I often feel a bit down and lethargic during the summer and come back to life when it starts to cool down. It's not really related to the light for me, as I do enjoy the light evenings (partly because it is cooler to be outside in the evening - I tend to hide in the house during the hottest times of the day) - it is much more related to the temperature.

Things are feeling brutal at the moment though. The energy situation is extremely concerning and the summer was far too hot, which has implications too.

I think what winds me up so much about the snuggly blankie and hot choccie brigade is that we get the dark every year. It's not weather dependent. Every year the nights get longer, quicker, until 21st December. This is ENTIRELY UNCONNECTED with the temperature or weather. It is the lack of daylight which people like me find difficult to deal with, not the heat/cold.

People going on about 'crisp' autumnal days give me the complete hump. It's hardly ever 'crisp' it's normally just soggy, damp and grey ffs

It’s the whole snuggly blankie hot choccy brigade i find bizarre too. Not just the twee phrasing from grown adults, but how much hot chocolate are folks actually drinking that it’s such a massive massive thing for them. And the excitement about blankets is just bemusing.

for me I want as mild a winter as possible, as late as possible. to help the people who will struggle due to the energy price increases.

i have been wearing short trousers for so many months i dont look forward to moving into longer trousers/jeans

I know what you mean. It is the abundance of light in summer that gets to me even more than the heat. It really affects my mood. I did get blackout blinds last year though which did help a little.

I feel similarly @dottypotterAnxious and sad about how fast time has gone.

BUT I do have some strategies to help myself which might work for you!

1. I focus on planning and being excited about my son’s birthday which is at the end of the autumn.
2. I allow myself to get excited about Christmas very early as I love Christmas! My tree goes up at the end of November which I’m sure I get judged for but it’s very much a positive mental health decision.
3. I struggle even more with January so always book something like a theatre trip to look forward to. 💐

It's the Hygge set. Whereas the reality for most is quite different.

Delighted, I can't stand summer.

I don't drink hot chocolate and I run too hot for blankets much but I adore dark evenings. I'm not fond of daylight.

Hate it. The Summer passes to quickly and the Winter drags.

I could live permanently in Spring and Summer.
The date the clocks go back is the worst day ever makes me feel down.

In fairness, Hygge is more about embracing the season you’re in. So in summer, it is Hygge to waft about in loose clothes and go surfing.

I do hate Christmas though. Mainly because it starts so bloody early - no festival should be a full five weeks of excess - “Christmas drinks” in mid November? Ugh.

I’d like Christmas if Advent (a time of contemplation and some fasting) was observed.

My thoughts exactly. What's so wrong about it?
I don't shit on people who like summer. Let me enjoy my autumn.

Totally agree. Bloody hate autumn. Weather goes to shit, back into the old school routine. Even worse this year when no one will want to put their heating on! Dark and bloody cold looming.
December is good though. January/Feb are the absolute pits.

Already dreaming about sunny holidays.

I love autumn but detest winter.
I want to be out and about in parks and forests, climb up mountains and take my kids paddling in the sea. I know in theory I could still do that in winter but dark at 4 and freezing cold is quite the hindrance.

I agree OP - I too feel sad that we are losing the light earlier, and that it's getting colder and wetter. I never understand those that look forward to the dark, cold seasons. My life means that I'm outdoors for most of the day come rain or shine and trust me there's nothing snuggly, cosy, romantic etc about being soaked, covered in mud and trying to do things in the dark. It's just makes everything so much harder. Here's hoping for a mild winter!

I had forgotten how filthy you get walking the dog in wet, muddy weather.