Finding Light in the Winter Darkness

5 ways to get some fire in your belly and burn through the seasonal blues

When the festive season is over and the festoon lanterns come down, it can be hard to find light in the darkness. This is a difficult time of year for a lot of people and here at emberly, we want to help you find what makes you glow – something that brings a smile to your face, joy to your heart, and a reason to throw back the covers and face the day. So this month, let us energise; find some purpose, have some fun, experience embodiment, express ourselves, and create new rituals.

1. Purpose

Why do we do the things we do? We all have responsibilities, but in our every day lives we often fall into habits that don’t serve us – even our hobbies become staid routines. Try writing down three things you do every week and why you do them. If you can’t find a reason, it might be time to change things up – cook a new Monday night meal, go for an evening walk, or swap your round the block run for an energising dance workout. If existential despair is getting to you with everything that’s going on in the world, and you find yourself saying ‘what’s the point?’ may I recommend simply sitting down with this beautiful book by the light of a candle or a roaring fire.

2. Fun

Someone asked me recently ‘what do you do for fun?’ …I was stumped. I can’t remember the last time I did something just for fun. emberly always reminds me that there are countless activities out there that can be both rewarding and fun, and this years offerings don’t disappoint… who else is looking forward to pasta making?! Fun AND food? Sold. Having fun isn’t something we have to leave at the playground, its something we need to actively seek out in our adulthood. It reduces the stress hormone cortisol, revs up our feel good serotonin levels, and gives us a valuable break from all the things we ‘should’ be doing. So, put something in the diary – just for a laugh.

• Related post: 5 Ways to Embed the Magic of Play Into Your Everyday Life

3. Embodiment

I’m sure I’m not the only one who lies in bed at night with their head whirring. When we get caught up in our thoughts, we lose track of what is going on in our body and before we know it our shoulders are up around our ears, our breath is short and shallow, and we feel worse than ever. Getting back into the body can really help us deal with the pressures and anxieties of life – even if we are having a bad day, we can notice what we feel in our bodies and adapt our behaviour to feel better. Try some yoga, qigong or a mindful walk, simply feeling your feet on the ground.

4. Expression

Dancers dance, writers write, painters paint – but self expression isn’t just for artists, its for everyone. Finding new ways to express our feelings, fears and true nature can help us know ourselves better, find release, and foster a genuine feeling of self worth. emberly now offer a subscription so you can explore a whole host of courses from contemporary dance to wild art journalling; find what sparks your interest and gets you glowing inside inside and out.

5. Ritual

There is something deeply comforting about ritual. Whether it’s the way you sit with your morning coffee, or the gratitudes you list at a make-shift altar in your bedroom, small moments of blessing and intention can help us through difficult times. If you’re interested in historic ritual, February 1st marks the Gaelic festival of Imbolc or Candlemas – the promise of new life and renewal. From planting seeds to lighting candles, there are many lovely ways you might mark the occasion. To read more about rituals, check out my blog – Ritual: The small acts of reverence that change us and see if there are more ways you might find a little light on these grey days.

My advice? Don’t wait for spring; light a mid-winter fire in your belly and start living life to the full. We’d love to hear what gets you energised in the colder months, and how you find light in the darkness. Share your experiences and tips in the comments below.