It’s official, the clocks have changed and the longer, darker nights are drawing in, how are you feeling about that?
It seems that there are two camps when it comes to adapting to the changes in weather and light; those who embrace the darkness and immediately bring out the blankets, cosy socks and candles and those who shiver on through, counting down the days until the return to the lighter brighter Spring season.
While it’s only natural to want to batten down the hatches, hibernate, eat chocolate and binge watch Netflix; perhaps it’s also an opportunity to embrace the season of stillness and explore some extra curricular activities to flow with the change in pace, whilst still maintaining a steady stream of energy.
Here are 4 suggestions you might like to try;
1. GET YOUR BAKE ON!
Autumn brings an abundance of colourful vegetable and berries to ensure that we get that rainbow on the plate!
Longer, darker nights provide the perfect opportunity to spend some time cooking up some nourishing fodder to sustain us through the colder months. Investing a little of your time spent indoors on some weekly batch cooking is sure to reap rewards in the long run. It’s a win win all round with less food waste, less temptation to buy a takeaway and less stress when you come home from a busy day with a homecooked meal ready to be warmed up!
For some delicious, nutritious soul food inspiration have a look @thehappypear over on instagram or for easy recipes and one pot cooking ideas try the beloved https://www.bbcgoodfood.com
2. FIRE – INSIDE OR OUT!
On the topic of food, why not tempt yourself outside with a winter BBQ? Bacon butties for breakfast on a chilly morning – why not?!? Something more traditional a la toasted marshmallows or a jacket potato – go for it!
Fire doesn’t have to be restricted to bonfire night, no need to break up with the fire pit that served you well in the Summer. Wrap up warm, gather some friends and family, use your imagination and serve hot drinks round the fire while gazing at the moonlit sky – magic!
Getting outside only adds to the winter experience but if it’s simply too wet or cold to brave the elements, then of course retire indoors and make the fireplace or a centrepiece of candles warm you up from the inside out.
3. BOOKS
Whilst you’re snuggled up around your fire/candlelight space why not turn off the TV and start reading that book that you’ve not got round to starting yet. For extra motivation create a list of all the books that you fancy reading and set yourself some goals around how many books you can read in a given number of weeks. Who knows what you could open your mind up to simply from snuggling up with a book on the cold nights.
4. CREATE A RITUAL
If you’ve managed to stay awake after a lovely long book read then consider adding a delicious ritual to your ‘cold weather toolkit’.
If you’ve managed to stay awake after a lovely long book read then consider adding a delicious ritual to your ‘cold weather toolkit’.
As the nights draw in we are called to go in to ourselves a little more. Longer nights create more space to nurture and restore ourselves by creating a special place to go slow and give ourselves what we need.
The key to creating a bathing ritual is to engage all the senses and explore what works for you. Set the mood by allocating time in your diary, set the scene by playing soothing music, lighting candles and gathering your favourite fluffy towels. Give yourself permission to find sumptuous bath salts and oils and tend to whatever makes you feel cared for with a face pack or hair masque.
For further inspiration on what a bathing ritual could look like and gorgeous photographs throughout try this book:
FINAL THOUGHT
Whatever you do inside will only be enhanced by going outside!
As the old adage goes ‘There is no bad weather, only bad clothes,’ so wherever possible get some daylight and watch how your appreciation for your time indoors grows when you return home.
Enjoy!
The Midlife Mash Up 
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