Dear sun, where’d you go?

November 3, 2024, was a terrible day for those of us who thrive in the sunshine and crumble during the depths of winter. For some of us (me), day light savings is the bane of our existence. The sun begins to set earlier, and we start to think its 11pm when really, it’s 5:30pm.

On two separate occasions both my dad and sister expressed their disdain for this time of year….

“I think this is the worst it’s ever been” said my dad a few weeks ago and shortly after, my sister asked me “Has it always been like this? It’s so dark.” And while I am not sure if the lack of sun is worse this year than in previous years, I recognize that it takes a toll on us all during the winter months.

So, I present to you: How to survive when the sun sets at 5pm everyday!

Suggestion #1 – See the sun while you can.

I recognize that some of you reading this might go to work in the dark and leave in the dark, so it’s extra challenging for you to get exposure to sunlight. If this is you, I’d encourage you (if you’re able) to step outside during the workday and SEE and FEEL the sun – even if it’s just for 5 minutes. Try eating your lunch outside or suggest that your office takes a short walk mid-day for some good ol’ vitamin D (sell it as an idea that everyone will become more productive and happier afterwards!!!!!!!). For my 9-5 or 8-4 friends, maybe try waking up a few minutes earlier and exposing yourself to sunlight first thing in the morning or get in a short walk right after work pre-sunset.

You can also find sunset lamps on Amazon, which can be very nice for setting ambience and boosting your mood.

Suggestion #2 – The day doesn’t end at 5pm.

I have been trying hard to convince myself that the day does not end when the sun goes down. I can still go for a walk, exercise, read, etc. Depending on where you live, it can be scary to walk in the dark. If this is you, try to find a friend to walk with you, be alert (no headphones I’m sorry), wear reflective gear, and bring protection. I went for a walk the other night in the dark and it was a good reminder that if I feel safe, I can walk even in the dark. 

Another way you can avoid rotting (as I like to call it) at the end of the day is to make plans for yourself. Commit yourself to a consistent gym routine every day after work. Or look up events going on in your area like book clubs, run clubs, happy hours, etc. A great place to look for social clubs like knitting and arts and crafts is your local library. DO NOT sleep on the public library – I am very passionate about this. You can also start a weekly game night, dinner party, or social outing with friends. I went to trivia recently and it was comforting to be in a room full of people, socializing and enjoying the company. It can feel easy to let the literal darkness of the outside affect us but finding ways to socialize can be a great way to boost your mood.

Suggestion #3 – Tap back into your hobbies or start a new one.

With what feels like so much time on our hands, it can be easy to become really bored. Use this time to reconnect with a hobby you might have abandoned or look for a new one to start. My current hobbies right now include reading, baking, and various forms of art. I have found these to be peaceful activities and a good way to honor parts of myself that I neglected in the past. If you like baking, try a new recipe like these Brown Butter Miso Chocolate Chip Cookies. Or try getting into making your own bread. I might try making croissants this week.

If you’re looking for some suggestions on hobbies or activities to try, look no further:

As you can see, there are a lot of different ways to eliminate boredom and try something new. I feel like sometimes we think that hobbies can be vague or even boring, but the options are endless. Instead of putting pressure on yourself to find ways to pass the time, offer yourself reassurance in knowing there is so much to try.

Suggestion #4 – Remind yourself that the sun will be back.

This might seem like a silly one, but the optimist in me attempts to have the perspective that although we might be experiencing some darkness right now, it will make the return of the sun that much greater. It’s what makes us look forward to spring and summer, because we know the long daylight hours will come back!

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant:

if we sometimes did not taste adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.”

As always, take care of yourselves and thanks for reading. <3