Romancing the Darkness: Embracing Longer Nights with Intention

The thing that haunts me most during this witchy season is the end of daylight saving time. The earlier sunsets, chillier mornings, and disruption to our circadian rhythms feel like the worst trick after Halloween. Just when we start to embrace the transformation in our homes, routines, the weather, and our energy, it’s as if we experience a hard reset.

As the days grow shorter and the nights stretch their way into our evenings, it can feel tempting to hunker down and brace against the darkness. For many, this time of year can be challenging—cold, quiet, and lonely. But what if we leaned into it instead? What if, instead of resisting, we romanced the darkness?

A Shift in Perspective

We spend so much of our lives waiting for the light. We rush through our seasons in anticipation of longer, warmer days. But there’s magic in the darkness, too. There’s space for stillness, reflection, and connection. It’s a natural time to slow down. Instead of filling our evenings with the noise of distraction, we can fill them with intentional quiet—moments to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with ourselves.

Creating Rituals for the Night

What if we treated these longer nights like a season of care and restoration? Instead of dreading the dark, let’s find ways to pamper ourselves within it.

• Candlelit Evenings: There’s nothing quite as soothing as the soft flicker of candlelight in a quiet room. Dim the lights earlier than usual, follow the cues from the sun, and allow yourself to move slowly through the evening. Whether you’re sitting down to dinner, reading, journaling, or simply sipping tea, the glow of a candle can turn an ordinary moment into something special.
• Adjust Your Sleep Schedule: As the clocks change, give your body time to adjust. Gradually shift your sleep and wake times in the days leading up to the time change so it feels more natural. Set your devices to "Do Not Disturb" earlier, limit artificial light a bit sooner, and create a bedtime habit stack that cues your body it’s time to rest. This small adjustment can make all the difference in how your body adapts to the longer nights.
• Mindful Movement: Physical activity is a powerful mood booster, especially when the darkness feels heavy. Whether it's going for a morning walk, doing a gentle yoga session, or fitting in a workout at home, moving your body can brighten your day. Plus, getting outside in the morning for some early sunlight is a great way to reset your internal clock.
• Stick to a Routine: It’s tempting to let darker days throw us off balance, but maintaining a consistent routine can ground us. (Pets are such helpful reminders of routine, blissfully unaware of clocks.) Keep regular meal times, carve out time for movement, and protect your sleep. When everything else feels unpredictable, routines give us stability.

Finding Gratitude in the Darkness

There’s a special kind of gratitude that comes when we learn to embrace what’s in front of us, even if it’s uncomfortable. Darkness teaches us patience. It invites us to rest. It asks us to slow down. And in doing so, we find new things to appreciate—like the warmth of a blanket, the sound of rain against the window, or the quiet moments spent with ourselves.

• Practice Self-Care: Treat these long nights as an opportunity to care for yourself in small but meaningful ways. Light a candle, take a bath, dive into a book you’ve been meaning to read, or get lost in a hobby that makes you feel connected to your body and creativity. These little moments of self-care help keep the darkness from feeling heavy.

• Get Outside: Getting outside doesn’t have to be complicated. Take your morning coffee or journal out and listen to the birds, or enjoy a fire pit on a cool evening (if it’s safe). Do your shopping at an outdoor farmers market or bring a hobby outside like gardening, reading, or painting. Adding a bit of nature to your life helps you invest in the transformations happening around you. It’s comforting to know we’re not the only ones shedding and shifting for the season.

• Stay Connected: The darker days can sometimes leave us feeling isolated. It’s so important to reach out to friends and family, even if it’s just a quick call or virtual hangout. Staying connected reminds us we’re not alone, even when the world feels quieter. I love the solitude of the season, but I’ve found balance by choosing one group activity to share with others. Whether it’s a walking group, art class, book club, or a community garden, pick something you love and share it with others.

• Nourish Your Body: Soup season is here, and while I was chopping veggies and making broth, I realized that the slow simmer of food feels like a spell for the whole house. A spell of gratitude for delicious food, of protection with fortifying ingredients, and of comfort with the scents warming the kitchen. The food we eat can play a huge role in how we feel during this time of year. Focus on whole foods that nourish you—think healthy fats, root veggies, greens, and meals that keep you satisfied without a sugar crash.

  SEASONAL PRODUCE TO ENJOY:

  • Fruits: Apples, pears, grapes, cranberries, pomegranates, figs
  • Vegetables: Pumpkins, squash (butternut, acorn, spaghetti), sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, carrots, beets, kale, leeks

• Manage Stress: Darkness can highlight the things we’ve been carrying, the weight of stress paired with the scarcity of light. The busy season often conflicts with the internal rest or melancholy we may feel. Lean into activities that help you unwind, whether it’s meditating, journaling, or simply breathing deeply. Try a new modality like hypnosis, yoga, or EFT tapping. And if the season feels overwhelming or you’re struggling with symptoms of seasonal depression, don’t hesitate to seek support from a mental health professional.

Romancing the darkness isn’t about pretending the season isn’t difficult at times; it’s about finding beauty where you are. It’s an invitation to create cozy spaces, reflect, and move through these longer nights with gratitude and intention. In doing so, we make room for light in ways we might have otherwise missed.