For roughly two months of the year we live without sunlight in the house and it REALLY grinds you down after a while. When we moved into our house two years ago it was the beginning of February; the very end of the period when the hill opposite our house blocks the sun's rays from reaching the majority of our house so we didn't feel the impact of it at all the first year. But this is our second full winter in the house and it's been making me feel really down. I don't remember being too bothered by it last winter. But then I was pregnant, sick and just waiting for March to roll on and the baby to arrive so I was probably distracted. That said you'd think I'd be even more distracted this year with three children instead of two keeping me busy. I'm not distracted though, I just want January to be over and done with! I miss the sun!
December wasn't as tough, Christmas is a good mind occupier after all. But I'm always more excited about the 21st of December coming round and the days getting longer again than any of the Christmas shenanigans. Maybe that's why this period after is such agony because I know it's moving in the right direction but it's just not happening fast enough. I've always found this a dull time of year regardless of where we've lived. I have no idea how I coped when we used to live in towns and cities and most of the sunlight was blocked from our apartments by other buildings!
If you live in the Norwegian town of Rjukan you'll think I'm taking the piss complaining about a couple of months of just my house not seeing sun (our neighbours are slightly better positioned). Their town doesn't see sunlight for HALF the year! They've even had to install giant mirrors on the surrounding hills to reflect the sun's light back down on the town square. I realise it must be normality to them, but it must be incredibly draining all the same.
Our house is south facing and even when it's cold out (which it is a lot of the time) our living room really heats up well on a sunny day. It feels like such luxury to go out on those early spring days when the temperatures finally start getting milder and just soak up the rays on the patio. It's not the heat as much as just seeing and feeling the light. We've had a few sunny days lately and it's been such a tease! I've looked out the windows, at the hill behind us or into next door's garden, and thought "what a beautiful day": the kind of day that cheers you up in winter even though it's still cold out. Or I've sat in the car thinking I'll spend the afternoon outside with the kids, but because it's still so dark in the house and in our garden the happiness is short lived. Sure we go on walk and chase the sun, but it's not the same as having it literally on your doorstep.
December wasn't as tough, Christmas is a good mind occupier after all. But I'm always more excited about the 21st of December coming round and the days getting longer again than any of the Christmas shenanigans. Maybe that's why this period after is such agony because I know it's moving in the right direction but it's just not happening fast enough. I've always found this a dull time of year regardless of where we've lived. I have no idea how I coped when we used to live in towns and cities and most of the sunlight was blocked from our apartments by other buildings!
If you live in the Norwegian town of Rjukan you'll think I'm taking the piss complaining about a couple of months of just my house not seeing sun (our neighbours are slightly better positioned). Their town doesn't see sunlight for HALF the year! They've even had to install giant mirrors on the surrounding hills to reflect the sun's light back down on the town square. I realise it must be normality to them, but it must be incredibly draining all the same.
Our house is south facing and even when it's cold out (which it is a lot of the time) our living room really heats up well on a sunny day. It feels like such luxury to go out on those early spring days when the temperatures finally start getting milder and just soak up the rays on the patio. It's not the heat as much as just seeing and feeling the light. We've had a few sunny days lately and it's been such a tease! I've looked out the windows, at the hill behind us or into next door's garden, and thought "what a beautiful day": the kind of day that cheers you up in winter even though it's still cold out. Or I've sat in the car thinking I'll spend the afternoon outside with the kids, but because it's still so dark in the house and in our garden the happiness is short lived. Sure we go on walk and chase the sun, but it's not the same as having it literally on your doorstep.
If it is sunny out during our two darkest months it is possible to catch some rays by walking up the hill but it's not the same as the rays heating you up in the house. A line of hard frost that never gets the chance to melt is created through the glen on the side of the hill and fields that don't see the sun, it's beautiful and also depressing in the long run. Lately the afternoon sun has been hitting our roof and for a short while the top floor; it's been glorious, a reminder and promise of what's to come! The last couple of days we've even been treated to 30 minutes of sun in the kitchen which is just as well as this period just makes me want to move; the few rays are still nowhere near enough for my mental well being. The sun is a rare enough sight in Scotland without having a massive hill blocking it from your view (thankfully we get the sun the WHOLE day once we're past this stage - weather permitting of course).
The other issue with no sun at this time of year is that our stretch of road doesn't warm up properly after frosty nights and the snow takes longer to melt, often creating horrible icy patches. In a few weeks time I won't mind snow and frost because I will be happy in the knowledge that the sun will be able to come over the hill and not only will a road that might otherwise be treacherous quickly warm in the light but the sun also defrosts my car for me. None of this has been too bad this winter, but we also haven't hit the snowiest period yet so I will try to not speak too soon. I for one do not want another "Beast from the East" like in 2018 but if the weather is going to get colder I would like it to wait till we at least have more light in the house!
We used to live in a city centre apartment about 6 years ago or so and I don't know how we didn't miss the light more. Well I do know, we weren't in much during the day, my husband had a long commute so was up early and back late, I worked in bars so was mostly up at night instead of during the day. If we were home we were busy doing the things you get to enjoy when you don't have small children needing things (since this was our pre-children days), like lie-ins, hangovers, nice meals and intimate moments, sun light isn't necessary for any of those. Those of you who are reading this and see less light in your homes than we do, I do not envy you one bit.
We used to live in a city centre apartment about 6 years ago or so and I don't know how we didn't miss the light more. Well I do know, we weren't in much during the day, my husband had a long commute so was up early and back late, I worked in bars so was mostly up at night instead of during the day. If we were home we were busy doing the things you get to enjoy when you don't have small children needing things (since this was our pre-children days), like lie-ins, hangovers, nice meals and intimate moments, sun light isn't necessary for any of those. Those of you who are reading this and see less light in your homes than we do, I do not envy you one bit.
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