ADHD · dogs · fitness · health · holidays · season transitions · Seasonal sadness · self care

Stubbornly Seeking Light

Christine Hennebury

I’ve noticed that a lot more people in my neighbourhood have their holiday lights up early this year and it made me think of that saying – ‘If you can’t make your own serotonin, store bought is fine.‘

Usually I like to wait until December to put my lights up because I like that month to feel extra special but after a full month of rainy days, I need all the light I can get.

An early evening photo of a string of colourful lights on the railing of my (very damp) patio. There are leafless trees, a fence, and a streetlight in the background.

And today I realized that I’ve actually been choosing the (literally) brighter option whenever I can for the last few weeks. (Subconscious self care! I can’t believe my ADHD let me away with that.)

I picked a new desk lamp that gives me a wide swath of light for my desk on gloomy days (ugh) and at night.

A photo of my white desk with my lamp on. The lamp rises from behind my monitor and extends out on both sides casting bright light on my books, my art supplies, and the sewing project I’m working on at the moment.

I chose a new light-up leash for Khalee because the old yellow one didn’t light up anymore. It’s cheery AND it’s useful for walking in the early evening.

A photo of Khalee, my dog, doing a sniff-investigation on some grass on an early evening walk. Her blue light up leash is in the foreground and there is a streetlight nearby. There’s also a 40 speed limit sign but don’t worry we weren’t walking that fast.

And, in general, I have been making sure not to spend any extra time in the dark. There’s no need for me to be sitting in a dimly-lit room unless I choose to.

I know there are a lot of things I need to do to reduce my chances of being fully captured by seasonal depression* but I feel like finding more light – literally and metaphorically – is a good foundation.

Days that include more exercise, good quality sleep, hanging out with friends, and doing activities I enjoy can all be built on top of seeking light and that’s what I intend to do.

How are you dealing with the darker days lately?

Any fun ideas?

*I always struggle a bit but last year was especially bad and I am determined to help myself every single way I can this year.

Published by Christine Hennebury

I'm a writer/storyteller/director/creativity & lifestory coach with a black belt in ITF Taekwon-do. I read voraciously and I write like my fingers are on fire. I'm the founder and Chair of the Association for the Arts in Mount Pearl and I'm a former president of the St. John's Storytelling Festival. I bake a mean chocolate chip cookie.

One thought on “Stubbornly Seeking Light”

  1. Last Thursday I was having trouble getting myself out the door for a run on a gloomy, rainy morning. And then once I’d actually convinced myself and got out there, I remembered why I wanted to be outside. I read somewhere that even on the gloomiest days, it’s brighter outside than indoors and important to get that natural light. Who knows if that’s true. For me, it’s also the fresh air.

Comments are closed.