To not be excited about light nights and summer?

[hermithead]

I keep seeing posts on SM about how the light nights are here, and the better weather.

I know this is obviously preferred by a lot of people.

Personally, I'm feeling a little like I'll need to force myself to embrace that.

I've been enjoying going out a walk in the dark, knowing I'll bump into few people and that I can hide under heavy coat and hat.

It's more acceptable to stay home for days on end in the winter, and I'm all for that.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it when I do get out and socialise, etc, but at the moment I'm feeling like it's something I'll need to really gear up to.

Am I weird? Or are there others like me?

I mentioned the pressure, tbf it's self imposed pressure because it feels like we only have a limited amount of really nice days, especially when you don't count working days.

I feel like if I don't get out in the sun I'll regret it come October when I'm traipsing around in the cold and drizzle

I think ‘the pressure to go out’ has been mentioned lots as a reason. Maybe on other threads too.

I honestly think there’s more pressure to go out in the lead up to Christmas. It’s crazy, then I get ill (because that’s another bonus winter issue). And at Christmas all the pressure to go out is contained. At least in summer it’s spread out. (Those warm evenings can be few and far between).

Just back from a run in daylight which felt a lot safer.

Just a preference I guess. I have always been like that since a child. Very weird I know! My husband is the complete opposite and loves pottering in the garden late into the evening. I would probably be more outgoing in the Winter than the summer surprisingly. It’s just like I’m wired differently and just love the dark Winter days. I think I gave the opp of SAD.

I honestly think there’s more pressure to go out in the lead up to Christmas.

I'm inclined to agree with this. I get FOMO at Christmas and new year, but never in the summer.

I know for him it's about feeling safe at home, doors, curtains shut, closing off the outside world.

Isn't this more of a mental health issue? Most people don't need to close off the outside world to feel safe.

Everyone's different, and that's fine. I love the long days, the swimming, cycling, walking. Sitting in the garden with a drink and a book. Eating outdoors. I just love everything about spring and summer. I understand though that not everyone does, it's not a badge of honour to be one way or the other.

And I hate Christmas. The shopping, the cooking, the planning. The socialising. But again, I know others just love it all.

I absolutely love spring and summer! I tolerate winter and probably wouldn't dislike it half as much as I do if it wasn't a sign that the W word was approaching.

I love the daylight, the light mornings and evenings. I love sitting in the garden reading a book, not having to wear a coat, wearing shorts, the list is endless.

I love that there are less germs and bugs around because people aren't stuck indoors.

I love the long school holidays, going on holiday!

I hate the rain but even that is preferable on a light morning to a dark one!!!

@ArthurHeDoesAsHePleases nonsense! I live in SE London and we have loads of cricket clubs, including a very famous one.

I don't mind at the moment because it's not dark too late and it's a bit of a novelty after a long winter. It can be safer for animals on roads too as they are more visible. It can be troublesome in June when it stays light until past 10 because sometimes you just want to sleep early or feel cosy for a change and the light feels invasive. Summer seems to bring an expectation of BBQs, beer gardens and all the other things my body has grown intolerant of in age!🤣

If you don't like it being light until 10pm why don't you just get thick curtains or blackout blinds and use them?

I love it being light until then and wish it was light until even later or, even better, always light.

Summer doesn't have to bring any expectations unless you want it to. I hate BBQ's and never have them or go to one. Also don't go to beer gardens. I do though sit and relax and have a coffee or soft drink in the evening in my garden or walk my dogs.

I wonder this. You can make your house dark. But you can’t make it naturally light outside.

if you don’t like the light in the evening, just get black out blinds and then sit in the dark or whatever makes you comfortable.

we have black out blinds in the living room. If I fancy a movie night I just pull the blinds and put the side lights on, you’d not know it was light outside.

Nicer area than mine then x

Hi,
I am like that too, it's strange initially and it takes me time to adjust.
I have social anxiety too so it doesn't help with that either.
But the biggest one is when it gets really hot again I adjusted last year.
But because of my weight/body issues, and having to go out without a jacket etc, I hate it.

Exactly. If I liked the dark and wanted my house dark I would have curtains or blinds and use them. Because I don't like the dark I only have curtains in the bedroom and they are pretty thin!

Personally I can't understand how people find the dark "cosy". My idea of cosy is obviously very different to lots of others

Yes. You can create dark - if you like dark get blackout blinds and light your candles. Get cosy!

We cannot create natural sunlight outside - so that we feel safer running in the evening. So that so many more activities are possible - long dog walks through the fields to the pub. Sitting outside with friends, eating outside. Going for a swim outside. Not driving around in the dark. Watching my son play football in the light and warm versus sitting in the car in the dark and cold. The list is endless.

So far, all I have for the reason people like dark nights are - no pressure to go out. Well don’t go out then!

So far, all I have for the reason people like dark nights are - no pressure to go out. Well don’t go out then

agree, but think it’s a mental issue for some, a self pressure. Like you know it’s warm and sunny, light out. People are out doing stuff, with their kids, friends, partners, and you feel like you should too, rather than be hiding at home. Where as in the winter, more people are at home, so you are less unusual and saying it’s cold, wet, whatever is a great excuse not to do anything,

plus if you don’t like the heat or struggle with what to wear, don’t like to expose any skin, then thr thought of going out and everyone dressed in light clothing , short sleeve tops, or shorts, skirts, etc , then even if you would love to go out, the thought of dressing like that, or sitting covered up and looking/feeling hot and sweaty would have you staying home feeling miserable

as such, winter then becomes better, as you don’t feel you should go out, you don’t feel you want to go out but can’t, and clothes choices are easier, as you can dress like everyone else, in jumpers, leggings, tights, boots, coats.

why are you so intent on psychoanalysing peoples preference for one season over another. Who are you to tell us we have a mental.probĺem ? What absolute nonsense. Some people prefer light nights and sunny days . Some don't! Big deal.
If you are following the logic of your argument then what makes some people like summer days ? Are they attention seeking exhibitionist who can't wait to parade their half naked bodies about for maximum attention ? Do they have an inate fear of the dark? See how ridiculous it is trying to.analyse why Some people like autumn and winter better than summer. Some winter lovers are thin toned people with good self esteem and body image you know . And many are gregarious and outgoing. All this fuss because they don't like the summer months as much as the winter ones.

I never understand the summer clothes issues.

There are plenty of light and comfortable clothes that provide cover from the sun. Summer clothes not not mean skimpy clothes.

A floatyy maxi with a linen shirt over or loose cotton trousers with a loose cotton shirt or tunic are cool and comfortable.

Um it’s a discussion forum. We chat. Explore ideas. Feel free to put your own forward rather than lash out and attack.

I hate the clocks going forward. The mornings were getting light, the evenings drawing out beautufully, then clocks go on and wallop it's dark in the morning. We don't have the climate for long summer evenings so why we can't stay on GMT year round I don't know.

I think if I lived out in the countryside, with no neighbours, I'd probably like the lighter months much more than I do. Whereas on a housing estate it means listening to kids screaming, next door's jive bunny megamix on loud, footballs/basketballs thumping, and the stink of burning meat. No more having the streets and the park to myself with the dog early morning, people everywhere alllll the time, the constant trundle of scooters and bikes as people meander aimlessly past my house drives me mad.

I purposely get up at 5am in the summer so I have a chance to potter about and enjoy the garden before all the noise starts and ruins it. I actually love the warmer weather, just not what it brings with it.

Yes, I am a miserable old bint, and I am actively looking to move somewhere less peoply!

I never understand the summer clothes issues

If you're someone who can just throw on a random outfit and look fine, then you probably won't understand. But flaws are exacerbated in summer clothes. If you're someone like me, who has a lot of them! Then it's a nightmare. I also have a skin condition, so need to be covered up, and dodgy bowels, which mean I'd never risk wearing a dress/skirt or something loose.

At home, or in the garden, I can just wear shorts and t shirt so that's fine but if I have to go out, I find it really hard.

I don't agree with you OP, though I think we would have common ground in wanting clocks to be on one time zone all year round. To me we have the third best option currently.

@EmpressSoleil you are not alone about summer clothes issues, and fair skin or skin conditions are not a rarity in this country.

That's before the complete inability of many people to dress with even a smidgeon of style in warmer weather. Contrast that with Spanish or French people.