To feel low about it getting dark early

[mintywinter]

I can't explain it really cos it's not logical, but these dark evenings seem to be making me feel anxious. Maybe everything seems worse this year with the cost of living and the constant bad news. I also feel less like going out in the evenings when it gets dark so early.

I hate the dark evenings too op. I don't mind the cold weather as long as it's bright. It's the dark and gloom I cannot stand. Makes me feel down. I hang on in there until the 22nd December... after that every day you get a little more daylight so I start to see the light... excuse the pun. You are not alone though. Don't understand people who enjoy winter and are obsessed with cosiness. I read a thread on here ages ago where a woman said she hated cosiness...she said she wasn't ill so why would she need to be snuggled up and cosy...I thought, good point!

It’s not so bad now I’ve retired. I absolutely hated being in the office after dark, it made me feel sort of trapped.

I like the quiet and the privacy that darkness brings. Neighbors not lingering about outdoors, less chance of being waylaid for chitchat while coming and going, etc.

Cosy to me is feeling snug and relaxed and not pressured to be doing anything.

I love a bright and crisp autumn/winter day. But living in west Scotland that's not what we get. We get a day like today where it's pouring and grey. Or when it's not even raining much, but you don't see even a glimpse of the sun.

Light gives you options. If you get a pouring wet day in May/June and it doesn't stop raining until 8pm, you can still go out and do something for 90 minutes in the remaining light. But at this time of year it's dark by 5pm.

Sorry. I disagree with you. You don't get it because you love winter. What is it about claustrophobic "cosy" that you love?

Like a pp I feel trapped in winter. I need light, airy space.
And I hate "snug" and candles and fairy lights. The last two hurt my eyes.

And buy some sunglasses.

Well at least it's lighter in the morning so you don't have to get up and leave the house in darkness.

There are some weird people who want to stay on BST so we would be in darkness till 10am.

There are some weird people who want to stay on BST so we would be in darkness till 10am.

What the betting that they don't live in Scotland or the north of England?

I am ok with November - it always feels like a relief after the slog of a sweaty hot summer and I love all the festivities of christmas, halloween, bonfire night, getting out the blankets and the slow cooker.

But January? Urgh. No. Such a long depressing grey month. All the twinkly lights have gone. All the golden autumn leaves are now brown sludge. If i could leave and go somewhere warm, I would.

I do and I'd prefer a darker morning and a lighter evening. All I do in the morning is get up, get dressed and go to work, I'd prefer some light after work so I could actually see daylight. It's been dark when I get up (7am) for weeks already. For a month or so it's dark when I get to work and dark when I leave (that's a normal 9-5 shift) so makes no odds to me.

I do like being 'cosy' and I embrace the blankets/films/candles/hygge up till Christmas, but it's a long winter. By mid-January I'm over it.

Oh I don’t know. January? January is depressing as hell and so cold. At least November isn’t really as cold as actual winter.

@bonzaitree this time of year is the "proper" time, how it would be if we didn't mess around with the clocks at all. It's the summer that it is manipulated for to give us lighter evenings. So if we were to ever stop changing the clocks, we just wouldn't put them forwards one March and leave it to to continue.

This with bells on!

How would you like it if you were sneered at for the season you prefer?

Not everyone loves the summer, some of us genuinely love the autumn months.

I've a theory that your favourite season is based on the season you were born in - it certainly fits for all 5 members of my household, and other friends I've asked in the past!

November at least has novelty and Bonfire Night.

February is the bastard month. The cold and dark, wet months feel endless, nothing is growing, it's grim out and all reserves of resiliance are running on fumes.

March has trees in bud, the start of spring bulbs, plenty of seeds to get planting.

How would you like it if you were sneered at for the season you prefer?

I wouldn't give a shit...unless I was ten years old, in which case I'd feel very aggrieved.

I've started taking vitamin D & vitamin B complex, put up a shit tonne of fairy lights both inside and out and started going to the gym after dinner. Granted, I live alone so it's easier only having to think about myself but I totally sympathise OP. I think daylight savings time is crap for the majority - I'd rather start the day in darkness and have a bit of sunlight to enjoy after work.

Don’t mind the dark evenings. The dark mornings I absolutely hate. I noticed a huge difference getting up this week in day light compared to the dark last week. I feel like I can’t function properly when getting up in the dark

If the UK decided to fix it wouldn't have to be on UTC, it could just as easily fix on UTC + 1 (BST)....but I know that idea upsets the traditionalists.

I've a theory that your favourite season is based on the season you were born in - it certainly fits for all 5 members of my household, and other friends I've asked in the past!
Sorry to be the exception.... I was born within a week of the longest day. I vastly prefer every other season to summer. I find the long hours of daylight too bright and tiring. Quite happy it getting dark at 4 and would much prefer GMT year round. About 7.30pm would be the latest I would like it to be sunny ideally.

I absolutely hate dark mornings and dark evenings. Hate and loathe them with a vengeance.

I like it being light in the summer and honestly wish it could be light permanently.

At least in the mornings no matter how dark it is, it is only going to get lighter. In the evening (well afternoon really), it just gets darker and darker. So so depressing.

I also hate the clocks being changed. Since Sunday I have been wide awake at 5.30am and just cannot get back to sleep.

I'm mixed on this. I love the autumn and winter. I love the autumn colours, leaves on the ground, hot drinks on a crisp day, comfort food, jumpers, scarves, frosty winter landscapes, cosiness and all of that stuff.

BUT

I don't get the "it's light in the morning stuff". I leave for work at 7am - it's dark. tbf, I do see the sun come up from my position crammed under a strangers armpit on the bus, and them I'm straight into my office, which has no natural light. I leave around 5.30pm and it's pitch dark. I rarely get a break in the day at this time of year as it's a peak time for workload so I basically don't see daylight Mon-Fri and I do feel this really affects me. I've tried SAD lamps and they help to an extent but really just remind me of what I'm missing.

So Autumn as a concept - yes! Autumnal weekends and occassional holiday time - fantastic. The reality of the situation in my life - dismal.

This time of the year always makes me think of the opening lyrics to "I'm One" by The Who.

^Every year is the same
And I feel it again,
I'm a loser - no chance to win.
Leaves start falling,
Come down is calling,
Loneliness starts sinking in.^

Only a handful of weeks until the shortest day, and then they start to lengthen again

When Scotland becomes independent the rest of us won’t need to put up with the clocks changing.

win win. 😁😁😁

You can expect the "cosy" brigade to be along shortly wittering their nonsense about snuggles under blankies on the sofa with their hot choccie

It's retaliation for all the 'woohoo, 40 degrees and LOVING IT! you must be REALLY MISERABLE not to like hot weather!' we had all summer.