I try and keep that sentiment in mind as we approach the darkest time of the year here in Sweden. We traded in an extra hour of sleep the other Saturday night for earlier sunsets for the next few months. In the afternoons especially I feel it - I look at the clock expecting it to read 9:00pm because a quick glance out of the window reveals pitch blackness. Instead, the clock reports something crazy like 4:45pm. And I must shelve my plans to slip on my pjs, slide inside my warm, cosy bed and read a book, realising instead that I ought to be thinking about the evening meal.

There are ways to combat the tiring effects of darkness and keep your outlook positive. You really have to make an effort to find things to help you through the dim, murky depths of the autumn and winter seasons. Next month, with Christmas lights sparkling, it will be a whole other world - a fairytale. But November is very grim and I look for signs everywhere to cheer me up. Which is why I absolutely love everything about this picture, which brightened my dark November day.




I swear that is a smile in the sky. And while you can feel depressed that it is already dusk at 4pm, the glorious amber colours and that gorgeous smile in the sky are the perfect antidote for the winter blues. There are other things you can also do to find light in the darkness.

1. Light therapy - It's well known that many people have a physical reaction to light deprivation. This can be helped by light therapy, which involves sitting or lying near a bright light for 30-60 minutes per day. My dear man has found this to be a sure cure for feeling like a winter zombie and I've even loaned out my lamp to desperate Aussies! The results can be expected within a week - it really does work.


2. Internal journey - In mythology, night, darkness and winter often symbolise death. This death is not necessarily literal, but metaphorical. The reference is to dying to the external. These concepts are often tied to the internal journey as opposed to looking without. We are in general a very outward looking culture. We draw our social cues, entertainment, and much of our self-understanding from the outside. This has not always been the case. Be it prayer, meditation, or quiet sitting; the willingness to shut out all the distractions and noise for some period each day can yield tremendous benefits. Try taking advantage of the longer nights and reduced activity to explore within. You are likely to find your dreams, your motivations, and a few ghosts awaiting your introspection. Make an adventure out of it. You might emerge in the light and warmth of Spring as a new person.


3. Positive thinking - Affirmations and other positive thinking tools become doubly important. Keep your spirits high and thoughts realistic, but forward looking. Regular use of affirmations or other positive thinking tools can help even out the mental valleys and mountains experienced this time of the year.


4. Positive change - For those of you into gardening, you know all about planting bulbs in the ground this time of the year. You plant a dormant bulb in autumn. The bulb spends the winter transforming and emerges in the spring as something beautiful. Think of yourself as a bulb. Plant who you are today and then work all winter on changes you’ve been wanting to make in your life. Build a plan complete with goals and actions to get you there. By Spring, you will emerge as something new and amazing.


5. Hobbies - Throw yourself into a hobby. All summer long you were wishing for a free weekend to get to some indoor activity you really enjoy. Now is the time to do it. Don’t procrastinate! Your hobby keeps your mind focused and engaged and passes the long dark hours until Spring.

It really does help - and don't forget to have lots of candles burning to create warm pools of light, choose bright fruits and vegetables to add a glow to your kitchen and a feast for your eyes and rug up well and get out of the house/office each day while it is light to feel the fresh air and replenish your spirit.

Something else that will be coming up soon is the celebrations for Lucia, the bringer of light. And on the weekend, Vadstena's Lucia for this year was chosen.




It was a little startling to see the nose and lip rings until I stopped and thought who am I to judge what looks good or not. They don't appeal to me at all, but many kids have them these days and it doesn't affect who they are as people. It's just decoration. She showed that she was aware of the impact of her facial jewellery on people as she said she would probably not wear them when she does the Lucia day visit around town, especially at the homes for the elderly. I'm eager to see how they do the parade here and I hope we can find a place to be to hear them sing as it is one of the highlights of the season.

So I'll concentrate on thinking about the good things that winter can bring. Skating with friends, holidays, snuggling up with Lars-Göran on the couch with hot chocolate and watching a film, cooking up a storm, catching up on my reading, Christmas, New Year's Eve, you name it.