Embracing the Light

Embracing the Light Within the Darkness

Since June’s summer solstice, I’ve noticed the daylight quietly slipping away—just a few minutes at first, then more each week. By the time we turn our clocks back on November 2nd, darkness will arrive by 4:30 or 5 p.m.

I’ll admit it—I’m not a fan of winter’s chill, and those short, gray days can sometimes feel a little blah. Many people I know prefer to stay indoors as much as possible this time of year. I can relate.

But recently, while browsing at my local library, a beautifully displayed book caught my eye: How to Winter: Harness Your Mindset to Thrive on Cold, Dark, or Difficult Days by Kari Leibowitz, PhD. The author grew up near the New Jersey shore, where summers meant beaches, outdoor concerts, and all the sunshine-fueled fun you could imagine. Winters, however, were a different story.

So what did she do? She traveled all the way to Norway to discover how people there not only survive—but thrive—through long, dark winters.

What she found was both simple and profound. The Norwegians embrace winter as a season for coziness, connection, and contentment. The Scandinavians even have a word for it: hygge (pronounced hoo-gah). It’s all about creating a warm, comfortable atmosphere and savoring life’s simple pleasures with loved ones. Think soft blankets, candlelight, hot drinks, and heartfelt conversation—the kind of simple joys that make the cold melt away.

Leibowitz encourages readers to become “wintertime mindset ambassadors,” adopting small practices that shift how we experience the darker months. In Tromsø, Norway, for example, residents lower bright lights in the evenings and fill their homes with candles. They lean into calming, joyful activities like knitting, baking, painting, or puzzling—what she calls “low-arousal positive activities” that help us feel content and grounded.

She also suggests stepping outside daily to seek moments of awe and wonder—yes, even in the cold! As the saying goes, “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

Most importantly, she invites us to see winter as a season of opportunity—a time to transform darkness into something meaningful. We can light candles with intention, share cozy meals by their glow, snuggle up with loved ones for a story or a favorite show, and savor the quiet beauty of slower days.

As for me, I’ve started embracing this spirit of hygge in small ways: twinkling fairy lights draped around the room, battery candles glowing softly at dusk, a warm afghan I crocheted this past spring, and a growing stack of books I can’t wait to dive into.

This winter, instead of wishing it away, I’m choosing to see it as a gentle invitation—to rest, to reflect, and to find radiance even in the darkest days.

How will you bring more light and warmth into your winter season?