Mõtlesin, et jagan teiega ühte esseed, mille kirjutasin....
The longest season of the year, The Season of Darkness, has secretly tiptoed to us again. All the bright leaves that sparkled in the golden autumn sunshine are fallen from the trees. The brief daytime is filled with dimness and the near-endless night is darker than black. In my view, The Season of Darkness starts somewhere in the end of October and lasts until the time I can smell the spring in the air. For people like me, functioning on solar batteries, the question - How to survive this time of the year? - is vital.
"Then summer fades and passes and October comes. We'll smell smoke then, and feel an unexpected sharpness, a thrill of nervousness, swift elation, a sense of sadness and departure." (Thomas Wolfe). Above all, the sense of sadness depicts the period for me. People are morose and seem to have forgotten that "A smile is a curve that sets everything straight“(Phyllis Diller). Smiling is almost as catching as yawning – smile and the world smiles back at you! Consequently, one important remedy against winter depression is, to always find a reason to smile and help others around us find these reasons as well.
What about the darkness though? I have found a solution for me – candles! Small and big, scented and regular; on my windowsill, table, bookshelf and floor - everywhere and as many as possible. I wait for the evenings, when I can come home, light the candles and have a nice cup of tea or hot chocolate. The flickering light is soft and calming. For me, the candles are the most excellent component of the Season of Darkness.
I have jet not mentioned an important feature of winter that we all have to overcome– it is cold, often freezing. One possibility to avoid the cold feet and freezing fingers is to stay inside; light a fire in the fireplace or if you don’t have one, then just cuddle up in a warm blanket. For years I preferred this comfortable option. Last winter I discovered that sometimes it is good to do the opposite – but on warm clothes and go out. Go for a walk, take a flask of hot chocolate with you and enjoy the weather. There is something stunning even in a storm! The most vivid memory from my last winter is the hike I did on Christmas Day. 25th of December, 20 km and 20 peaks of Haanja upland in minus 20 degrees. The snow was over the knee from time to time and the wind was blowing so strong on the open areas that it was hard to breathe. I had never walked 20 km at once before and then I did it in nearly the most extreme conditions I could imagine to have in Estonia. I survived the hike and I am going to go there this year as well.
"Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.“ Edith Sitwell, a British poet and critic, has said these words. A human being is a social creature and cannot stand to be lonely for long, especially in this time of the year. Spend time with your loved ones and family, visit your grandparents or invite your friends over for a board game night.
Then again, even if you are alone, take some time for yourself. Have a warm bath with some scented oils or a hot shower, take the book you have wanted to read for months, turn on your favourite music and enjoy your own company. In case you feel confused and slightly lost, this is the perfect time to write down your thoughts, even if you are not keeping a diary. Look into the candlelight and try to clear your mind.
Small and simple things bring sunshine to our souls – a smile, some candles, an adventure, lovely people around us. The inner sunshine lights up the Season of Darkness and the only way to survive the winter is to enjoy it!
