My Darkness Toolkit

Daylight Savings Time ended last week...and I'm actually kind of loving it?

Good morning!

We’ve officially entered what Seattleites like to call “the Big Dark.” Or the period where, thanks to Daylight Savings Time ending last week, the sun now sets very early and rises late. And on sun-less days, which are frequent in the Pacific Northwest during the fall and winter, it takes a while for daylight to rear its head.

I now wake up when it’s dark, get ready in the dark, spend all my daylight hours basked in the false light of my computer at work, and then come home in the dark. For a sun- and warmth-loving lizard like myself, it’s not ideal, but you know what? I actually find a lot to love about this time of year. I’ll get to that in a minute.

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When we first moved to Seattle, a lot of locals and seasoned transplants told us how summer is exhausting. They weren’t complaining, but rather acknowledging the phenomenon that occurs in Seattle—and probably many places in the Pacific Northwest¹—when people emerge from 6+ months of rain and collectively lose their mind over how gorgeous the summer season is. And it is truly gorgeous. I’ve never experienced summers as beautiful as the ones here.

Because of this, many people (myself included) spend lots of time outside, doing as many activities as possible before the rain returns for good in early November. July, August, September, and October are especially sacred. We soak up every minute of these months because we know we can’t take them for granted. Maybe it’s like this where you live, too?

By the time November rolls around, and we’ve thoroughly squeezed every drop of juice out of the summer months, we are TIRED! It reminds me of the feeling I had as a kid after spending all day running around outside and collapsing into bed at the end of the day, utterly spent from the quest for adventure. All these years later, I guess I’m still chasing that feeling.

All this to say, I adore this time of year because I’m finally settling in after the summer and early fall frenzy.

I’m entering hibernation mode. I’m unrushed. I’m not making set plans. I feel softer, less hurried, more creative. I’m better at being gentle with myself. I’m embracing my “nest”—my home—which feels like the warmest, coziest hug time and again. An incredible privilege, for sure. And also something I’ve tried very hard to cultivate.

This house in my neighborhood understood the assignment.

I should also note that I don’t suffer from seasonal affective disorder, which I know makes this time of year deeply hard for lots of folks. If that’s you, I’m thinking of you. I hope this season is as gentle for you as possible.  

Despite loving this time of year, the lack of daylight does get to me at times. Over the years, though, I’ve found there are specific things that help me get through this long season of darkness. I present to you, my Darkness Toolkit (aka the things I use to make the darkness enjoyable, cozy, and fun):

1. A sun lamp. I’ve never had one before, but my brother convinced me to get one this year. The hype is real. In the few weeks that I’ve used it, I swear to you: I’m sleeping better, I’m waking up BEFORE MY ALARM (when it’s still dark!), and I’m finding I have more energy throughout the day. I haven’t changed anything else about my lifestyle recently, so I’m thinking this little lamp is helping.

2. These salted honey Parker House rolls. I adore good bread, and these ones are the ultimate comfort food. And despite being double-rise yeasted rolls, they’re pretty easy to make.

3. Candles, candles, and more candles! Unscented or scented, the ambience is just fantastic. And you don’t have to spend an arm and a leg on a fancy one; you can find packs of tapers for pretty cheap online.

4. Socks. No, I’m serious. Invest in a good pair of plush socks. I’m not talking about thin little cotton ones that sport a hole in a matter of months. I’m talking about socks so thick they feel like slippers.

5. On that note, get a pair of slippers to put OVER the socks if you really want to go for it. Warm feet just make everything better. Unless you’re sleeping, in which I really do not recommend wearing socks. If you’re a socks-while-sleeping person, I…don’t know what to say. (Is this you?!)

6. I would actually argue that this is the best time of year for “beach reads.” And by beach reads, I mean the engrossing, page-turning, I’m-avoiding-my-responsibilities-because-this-book-is-too-good-to-put-down types. And for the love of all that is good, stop reading things that you *think* you should be reading, and just read what you enjoy! And if you’re not sure what you like, check out your local library. There is nothing better than passing a dark evening with an incredible book.

7. Movement. I always, always feel better when I make time to move my body. Actually, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be a nice human if I didn’t make time for it. Even if it’s just 10 minutes of stretching, a walk around the block, or a dance break in the house. In the colder and darker months, I’m a sucker for online classes that I can do right in my living room.

8. Getting outside for a walk at least once a day. This is something I have no problem with at any other time of year, but when it’s raining buckets, it’s cold, or it’s dark, I struggle. But even when I don’t want to, I try to go outside for at least a 10-minute walk. Usually, by the time those 10 minutes are up, I’ve adjusted and end up staying out for longer. As they say, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad gear! (I know, I’m rolling my eyes, too. But there’s some truth to it.) Not to mention, it’s lovely witnessing nature shift with the seasons.

9. A heated blanket. As previously mentioned, I like being warm. And I am often not warm in these cold, damp months. This blanket has been a game-changer.

10. Lighting up dark corners. We’re talking about rooms, people. Have a dark corner of a house or a room? Light it up with a floor lamp or some twinkle lights. It makes a world of a difference when the room you’re in feels bright and warm.

11. Games! A board game night with friends, wine, and snacks. A lazy Sunday Scrabble game. A mindless video game. It’s the best way to add some novelty and fun to a dark evening.

12. Arts & crafts. This can be as involved as you want it to be. I love to paint, so I often do that. But sometimes I just put a pen to paper and doodle. Last Sunday, Aaron and I had an arts & crafts afternoon where we turned on some music, lit some candles, set out some chips & dip, and sat across the table from one another and painted. It was glorious.

13. A big pot of brothy beans and crusty bread. I make this probably once a week in the winter; it’s one my favorite weeknight dinners and very customizable with what you have on hand. In a big pot, sauté a quartered onion and some whole cloves of garlic until they’re caramelized. Throw in a cup or two of dried beans, any sturdy vegetables you want to get rid of (like soft carrots or celery), a good amount of salt, red pepper flakes, dried herbs (like rosemary, thyme, or oregano), a jalapeno, and water or chicken broth (4-6 cups). Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 2-3 hours until the beans are tender. Eat with crusty bread.

14. A good jazz playlist. I find I really crave lively jazz music in the darker months. Often, I’ll just throw on Miles Davis or Chet Baker radio on Spotify.

15. Low-stakes hangs with dear friends. Like I said, my energy is lower in the darker months, so I’m not trying to fill up my social calendar with a lot of stuff, or big stuff. I also find I crave more alone time. That being said, I adore connecting with my people because it brightens up otherwise dark and quiet months. With friends who live nearby, I love casual dinner parties, game nights, bonfires, and tea/coffee/drink dates. With friends who live far, I love scheduling evening phone calls or Facetimes (and plotting when we’re going to see each other in person next!).

16. Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream. As the air gets colder and we turn the heat on, our skin needs way more moisture. So this is the time of year when I bring out the heavy-duty stuff, like Weleda. If I had to use one skincare product for the rest of my life, it would be this one. Plus, the company’s ethos is pretty cool.

17. My very fluffy and snuggly cat. The amount of dopamine and serotonin she’s responsible for releasing into my brain is incredible. Pets just make everything better.

What’s in your Darkness Toolkit right now? What would you like to add?

I hope you’re finding some moments of joy and coziness as we enter this dark season.

My current source of joy is dreaming up the second breakfast I’ll have in a few hours: A toasted bagel sandwich filled with melted cheddar, a crispy fried egg, loads of red pepper flakes, thin slices of red onion, and a touch of raspberry jam (the sweet with the savory is unbelievably good). And of course, a steaming mug of Black coffee.

Until next time,

Elizabeth

1. And many other places around the country.