Why we need the dark as much as the light

Have you noticed how early it gets dark now? How the world seems to be pulling us inward, asking us to slow down, to rest, to turn toward what's essential?

Our culture fights this seasonal invitation. We light up everything, stay busy, push through. But what if we listened instead?

The darker months aren't punishment. They're invitation. An invitation to rest deeper, listen closer, tend to the magic that gets buried under our endless doing.

Three practices for the dark season:

1. Evening Wind-Down Ritual: Create a simple practice that signals to your body that it's time to rest. This could be tea, journaling, or just sitting quietly for five minutes without screens.

2. The Art of Saying No: Practice declining invitations that don't genuinely serve you. Your energy is finite, especially during this season.

3. Find Your Light Sources: What actually nourishes you when things feel heavy? Is it books, baths, conversations with friends, or creative projects? Prioritize these over obligations.

Darkness teaches us things that light cannot. It shows us how to trust what we cannot see, how to move more slowly, how to appreciate the small flames that keep us warm.

You don't have to be bright and productive all the time. You have permission to go inward, to rest, to let the season hold you.