As autumn marches on, the golden light of afternoon and early evening slowly fades a bit earlier each day, bringing the darkness of night sooner than the day before. Soon, the time will change and we will turn our clocks back, and of course, that means that we get an extra hour of darkness each night. Where I live, that means that come late autumn and early winter, it will be completely black outside shortly before five in the evening. Some places in the world experience even less daylight and see their nights come as early as three in the afternoon, and yet other places are even earlier than that whilst still, there are other places that experience near total darkness for a particular time each year.
As autumn gently rolls on, the nights are coming earlier as the sun sets earlier and earlier with each passing day. The curtains are drawn earlier in in the evening and we find ourselves settling in for long winter nights ahead. Some folks really struggle at the time of year, and yet others thrive at this change. I happen to be in the second category. As some folks struggle with colder weather and longer nights and rainy and snowy scenes out their windows, I am a person who absolutely thrives in that sort of weather. In the summer, however, with the heat and intense sunlight and such, I find that to be a real struggle. I honestly hate summer with a passion! The fact is, we are each unique and different, when it comes to this sort of thing, no way is right or wrong. It's simply a matter of preference and taste as well as how your body is wired. I would much rather it be freezing cold outside and rainy or snowy and overcast and grey for days on end than spend one day with bright sunshine and warm to hot temperatures. Maybe you can relate, maybe you're the exact same, or maybe you think I'm crazy. But that sort of moody, cozy weather makes me come A L I V E ! And I never feel more like myself than on days like those.
One thing that is true is that, no matter what, the days are going to get shorter and the nights longer as the autumn comes and tiptoes along, whether you like it or not. And the best thing to do is enjoy it as best you can. After all, those of us who despise summer must find ways to enjoy it as much as we can as well. Complaining only makes it worse, for you and for those around you.
So, how do you enjoy these longer nights of autumn and winter? Well, coming from someone who absolutely adores this time of year, I have a few ideas and thoughts on the matter.
I am of the very, very firm belief that you must make your home into a haven. You need a cozy and safe and nurturing space, at any time of year, but especially when it's colder outside and you find yourself indoors earlier and more often. Bring out the blankets and throw pillows and layer up your bed and sofa and chairs. Every single sitting space in our home has at least one throw blanket draped over the arm or back of it. Our beds become like lasagna at the time of year...we layer it up. A flannel sheet, one or two blankets, and a thick comforter. And let me tell you, I never sleep better than I do in the cold months with all those cozy layers. Make sure any blankets you are setting out are soft and comfortable to use...there's nothing worse than a scratchy blanket. Be sure to make your pets' corners cozy, too. Our kitties love laying on our beds and the sofa just as much as they love their little cat corners. We add blankets and layers to their beds and baskets, too. After all, our home is their home, too, and they need to be as comfy and cozy as possible.
Choose cozy and warm over white or beige and minimal and sparce. There's nothing homey or cozy about minimal, colorless, airy, empty spaces. You don't want your home to feel sterile, stark, and bleak. Decorate your home with personal touches and add color as much as possible. You don't want your home to be depressing, so have fun with it! Turn off that overhead lighting and instead, choose soft lamplight and candles or lanterns or fairy lights. My goal is to make our home feel as much like a hobbit hole as possible, and I am often inspired by the illustrations of favorite children's books, such as Brambly Hedge, when it comes to getting ideas for making a cozy home. Open your curtains, even if it's grey or cloudy out. I love seeing the beauty of nature's passing seasons outside my window...our cats love it, too. You can even string some lights outside and get to enjoy them in the evenings as well.
There's no such things as bad weather, just the wrong clothing. I really believe and stand by that statement. Try to get outside every single day, even if it's just for 15 minutes. Taking a stroll down the street or through a park is a way to breathe in that fresh, clean, crisp air this time of year. I just love the way the air smells when it's cold outside; it's so much better and way more refreshing and invigorating than the stinky, heavy, stale air of summertime. Just sayin'. Make sure you are dressed properly, with enough layers to keep yourself warm. I've read that the best way to keep warm is to wear multiple layers, and I find that to be true.
As for daily clothing, I believe in comfy, cozy, casual and simple. I want to wear clothes that feel good against my skin and make me feel comfortable, both figuratively and literally. Sweaters and sweatshirts and dresses with cardigans over them, leggings or jeans, and a favorite pair of boots with thick, warm sock are my favorite outfits. Give me all the cozy clothes, I just love them! Just as you make sure your bed is comfy and soft, you need to choose pajamas that are comfy and soft and warm. Flannel pj pants and a cotton T-shirt or sweatshirt (depending on how cold it is) are my favorites. And yes, I do love sleeping in socks. Oh, don't forget a comfortable and warm pair of slippers to wear around the house. And then enjoying the relaxation and calming benefits of a warm shower (unrushed!) is also a perk to the colder months.
In the colder months, making sure to warm yourself from the inside out is also important. Drinking plenty of warming drinks, such as hot herbal teas or heathy hot chocolate with nourishing marshmallows (yes, such things actually exist!) are my two favorites. I'll have a couple of posts later this month all about my favorite warming drinks, so keep your eyes out for that. (One is coming tomorrow!) I also do not believe that when it's cold outside is the time to be eating cold meals. Bring on the soups and stews and pot pies and roast chicken dinners and all the foods that are both nourishing and comforting. I hope to share recipes along those lines (nourishing and comforting) throughout the autumn and winter months, which I'm excited about.
Make fun and magic abound in ordinary days and nights when it's cold and grey outside. Read books. Flip through magazines. Bake something scrumptious. Go for a walk. Take a drive and bring your camera. Watch a movie. Have a marathon of your favorite TV show. Redecorate or rearrange a room. Draw, paint, sew, knit, crochet, embroider. Sing, dance, play an instrument. Make a special dinner by candlelight with just your family. Have a tea party. Build a snowman or make a snow angel. Journal or write. Do yoga. Clean out your fridge or that junk drawer or a closet. Reorganize areas of your home. Play with your pets. Go to the library or peruse a bookstore. Go to a coffee shop and get something yummy. Attend a concert or a play or a musical. Build an indoor fort with blankets and pillows and string twinkle lights inside it...whether or not you have children. Read picture books. Read some poetry. Have a game night. Sit around the firepit outside and make smores. Go out late at night and stare at the moon and stars and say "hello" to them...your nighttime friends. Make hot chocolate and serve it in a pretty mug. Have a soup and bread night. Take a warm shower or bath...and take your time. Buy some fresh flowers and breathe in their scent. Go jump in some puddles on a rainy day. Smile. Laugh...especially at yourself. Lighten up. Have fun and make fun. Recognize life's magical moments. Follow Mary Oliver's words of wisdom and never stop being whimsical.
Slow down and rest. Nature is life's wisest and gentlest teacher...follow the example of Mother Nature and hibernate. Even humans need a season of resting and slowing down and of hibernating, just as the plants and creatures of earth do. We, too, are nature, and we need that just the same as other parts of nature do. This needs to be a priority during the autumn and winter months. Make sure you are getting enough sleep each night, and taking naps when or if you need them...and not feeling guilty for doing so. Eating healthy, nourishing, comforting and warming meals and sipping drinks that warm you from the inside out. Getting fresh air daily and moving your body in gentle ways. All of these things, along with slowing down and resting (which doesn't just mean sleeping) also help to prevent colds and flus and other seasonal illnesses from bothering you.
This time of year invites us to be gentler, kinder, and softer to and with ourselves. And to show ourselves compassion and patience. Making sure your evenings and mornings are slow and gentle, without stress and unnecessary speed are ways to start and end your day in a soft way. Bring some bits of beauty and delight to your days...Not every day or night has to be grand, but even just a small thing such as having a cup of tea before bed in a favorite mug can bring joy where before you might have been down on the weather.
Each of these things, whilst in and of themselves don't seem special, when done mindfully and in harmony with one another, they can transform your autumn and winter and those longer, colder nights. It's kind of like magic...the more you do these things, the more you'll find yourself enjoying this time of year and maybe even craving it, too. There's not a one-size-fits-all to this; simply take what works for you and add to it. The main thing is that we need to transform our thoughts of dread and boredom and blahs about this time of year to those of excitement and anticipation and wonder and magical creativity and imagination. A time to love home and celebrate coziness.
So, dear ones, light those candles, bake that bread, ladle those bowls of stew, get out those fuzzy socks and cozy on in...these earlier nights are the time to bring some delight and beauty and magic to our homes...and have fun whilst savouring every bit of it!