Anyone else already hating the wet, dark cold nights

'Love the dark nights. Born in the worst month of the worst winter in living memory (evidently) I have always liked the warm glow of lamps, cosy rooms with candlelight, crackling fires and a good book. I detest scorching summers, sweaty faces, sleepless nights, and watching those who ought to know better exposing all in skimpy clothing. (Very judgemental, unkind, critical - yes, I know!)

One thing I have done indoors to combat some of the darkness is to put daylight bulbs in some of my lamps in the living room. They give a clearer, whiter glow. I have one in the lamp by my chair to make it easier to read and sew and it's on most of the time. It probably sounds a bit daft, but it's more like light coming in the window rather than the yellower glow from our other bulbs so it makes the room a bit brighter.

I tried to post earlier but it got lost!
So my second attempt, just to say I like all four seasons, so enjoy winter too.
I like preparing our home late afternoon/early evening by drawing curtains, switching lights on as needed and generally creating a warm, cosy atmosphere.
There is a.wool blanket at the ready when the heating goes off, to keep out the chill.
Having home-made soups and milk puddings are an added bonus.
So all in all, it's an enjoyable time of year.
Hoping I can successfully post this time!

Having lived in Scotland for 82 years, I accept the weather and dark nights when they arrive. I honestly don't think about it. It is only weather and I can't change it so I can't worry about it.

Last week we took DGD for a riding lesson at a stables in the middle of Epping Forest. It was sort of magical and I had forgotten how exciting it is being out at night.
The arena had floodlights.
But the evening does get very long.
Stay cosy everyone!

I don’t mind the cold but hate the rain and dark evenings. Much prefer cold weather to the intense heat we had in the summer.

I like to feel cosy with my artificial log fire and fairy light my Granddaughter arranged. A nice little table lamp and the tv on. My trusty hound by my side on the settee.

One problem is the trusty hound ( Curly white little chap with short legs) gets rather mucky this weather.

I'm pretty fed up with all the rain but ok with darker evenings. Really wish they woul stop moving the clocks twice a year though. Don't care if its forward or back an hour as long as it stays forever and doesn't move again.

The way I see it is - November, the leaves on the trees are simply glorious and it's still good fun to kick through fallen leaves on a dry sunny day. December, Christmas. January, the first tiny shoots of snowdrops can be seen and the Hellebores are about to flower. February, snowdrops are out and other spring bulbs are poking their noses up. March - hooray it's spring, and hey ho the winter is done!

I like Autumn, but dead in the middle of winter, no thanks. Last night felt like bedtime and it was only 7.30 . I’m the first out looking for buds on the flowering cherry trees

I hate it when the clocks go back. I do not like the dark evenings. Spring seemed to take ages to come this year, with the cold weather seeming to last for a very long time.

Winter evenings, starting at about 4.30pm can be problematic but there is so much entertainment to enjoy. Even if you only have Freeview the number of channels available have increased enormously. I watch lots of interesting documentaries, seen some of Shakespeare's plays recently and caught up on dramas that I've never seen before. (I'm finding it difficult to read because my eyesight has deteriorated.)

What did our parents have to do on cold winter evening in the past? Shiver over a single gas fire, listen to the radio or watch a very limited number of TV channels? I also remember the clack of knitting needles.
I count myself lucky to have so many opportunities to learn new things on cold winter nights.

I agree with RosesMaw.

Don’t we all just love talking and moaning about the weather.

As previously mentioned. It’s not even bitterly cold yet.
My definition of cold is : icy, snowy, windy conditions.

Stop complaining and get a life.

I hate the long dark nights

You are not alone Optimistic. November can be a dreary month and the thought of at least 3 more dark and miserable months ahead can be depressing. I believe in a little walk every day ( if you can manage it ) wrap up and get some fresh air, say hello to every you meet and come home to a comforting hot drink and a little tasty treat. Be kind to yourself and do whatever you enjoy. Spring will he hear before you know it.

Here nor hear!

I do a lot of sewing, and in the darker days I use a SAD lamp we have to sew by. It's a great light for needlework, and I'm positive it lifts my mood too, which was it's original purpose some years ago!

I Feel the same as you do Optimistic1.

My rescue plan:

I try to get out and about throughout the day getting plenty of fresh air, seeing others etc. even on recent wet days.
I am a member of 2 walking groups. Exercise helps as when I return home as the darkness descends I have at least been out of the house.

I am starting a supper group with some friends. We plan to cook a basic supper and eat together then play a board game.

Similar to other replies I look forward to homemade soups lighting candles in the evenings.

I have started crocheting again and making simple but attractive scarves for Christmas presents.

If I start feeling really darkness twitchy I have driven to my local Sainsbury walked around looking at everything then home again(I live alone)

I have also stopped being mean to myself about central heating. I have worked out a reasonable schedule that will keep me warm enough morning and evening. I find feeling cold in dark evenings depressing. So with the above day plan of action and some warmth in the home I feel much happier and in control.

Let us know what changes you make.

Me too. Brrrrrr🥶

Hankering down

Doodlebug: The mealworms are dead and dried. I wasn't sure if you thought I meant live wiggly worms.

I don’t need “to get a life” thank you very much, I have one, Greciangirl, and if I want to complain about the weather at any given time, I flipping well will do - I won’t be told by you or anyone else, to do otherwise.

I get really depressed in the cold, dark, wet months! As others have said its not too bad up til Christmas as we have Halloween, Guy Fawkes night and Christmas to look forward to (all of which I love) but after Christmas the unremitting rain, wind and cold gets me down majorly! I do not mind snow but where I live in the south we only seem to get driving rain, ice and freezing wind😳🥶

Not keen on the dark evenings but living in a
Scotland where it gets dark well before teatime you get used to it. Lit my log burner tonight for the first time since moving to this house and it has transformed the sitting room - so cosy. Unfortunately the rest of this Victorian house is very cold as the programmer on the central heating is beyond me and my son thought he has set it at the weekend but then it stopped. Googled it but even a heating engineer stated it was so complicated! So it is several layers for me and a heated fleece blanket if the burner isn't lit. Understand why many dread the winter but have found my SAD lamp has helped.

A supper group is a good idea, 123ish. You will be sharing the heating and fuel for cooking as well as being company for one another and having something to look forward to.