Letting in the light

Darkness arrives sooner these days, tricking us into thinking that the day is over when in fact, we still have a few good hours ahead. The animals take their cue from the environment, retreating to their burrows and nests with food stores collected in preparation for a long winter’s nap. This is a time when our natural inclination might also be to go into hibernation, packing it in early, grabbing snacks and settling in front of the TV long before we normally would.

The way I figure it, we can do one of two things:

1) Give in to the hibernation urge, only to emerge from our homes in the springtime as fluffed-out, chipmunk versions of ourselves.
2) Create an opportunity to invite new practices and routines into our lives.

We’d like to offer a few ideas that we hope might inspire you:

• Consider taking a night hike. Opening the door and tromping out into the darkness might at first feel daunting, but with the right mindset and equipment, it can be thoroughly enjoyable. Joe and I purchased neon-colored collars for our dogs and headlamps and flashlights for ourselves. The lazy feelings we might feel early in the evening quickly evaporate when replaced by the invigoration of crisp night air and star-studded skies.
• Winter is the perfect time to start new art projects. Consider exploring and further expanding on some of the ideas we’ve gained from our time together at Maker’s. A recent Community Connections workshop with Jen has prompted me to pull out my watercolors with the hopes of making a slew of handmade Christmas cards.
• It’s a great time to try new recipes and pull out those crockpots to make hearty, bone-warming soups and stews. A fresh loaf of baked bread does wonders for the soul.
• Cozying around the woodstove or fireplace with a good book, needlework or game of cards reminds us of the joys of yesteryear.
• We can brighten up the darkness inside our homes through candles, fairy lights, or reflective sparkle lanterns.
• Signing up for a local pickleball league or purchasing a gym membership keeps the juices flowing.
• Most importantly, staying connected to your community and joining others for small social gatherings in the form of meals or shared cups of coffee gets us out of the house and helps to deepen friendships.

We’d love to hear which strategies you use to ensure your life is full of the light and laughter it deserves.

Warmly,

Belinda Seagram, Ph.D., R. Psych.
Executive Director, Landing Strong