Sunshine And Darkness

Living in Scandinavia most part of my life (besides the months spent travelling, haha), I've always despised the oncoming darkness.
For those who don't know, here in Sweden at this latitude (Stockholm) there's around... 6,5 hours of daylight at this moment.
Every year it starts getting darker, and every time I've felt depressed. Super unmotivated, everything sucked, didn't really want to do much, and if I did I was in grief all the time, over.. well, everything.

A lack of sunlight, or vitamin D, can show symptoms like:
- Increased risk or symptoms of clinical depression
- For men especially, it increases risk of heard disease.
- It's been linked to certain cancers, psychological issues and dementia.
- It lowers the immune system, and oh don't forget those harmful artificial screen lights!
- Then there's back pain, joint and muscle pain, hair loss, bone loss, anxiety, fatigue and weight gain...
- Ooh, and also - using sunscreen and sunglasses inhibits vitamin D uptake. So there's worse consequences from not enough sun then too much.

But last year I went out of the country, filling myself up with sun, I was in a beautiful relationship, and I broke the SAD pattern.
Today, it's even better!
I haven't felt affected by the darkness at all this year, in fact, I think I like it!
Living on a quiet island has provided a sanctuary for me and my emotions, and the darkness is embracing me like a blanket.. I do miss the sunshine, and I'm longing for it, but not complaining about the dark same way as I used to. It feels safe, real, and like it's supposed to be this way; it's okay to go into the shadows once in a while, and winter is a time of reflection, shadow work, and self love, for comfort, soft touch, and warm food.
Life naturally slows down, and I grieve that our society prevents us from following our natural rhythm, expecting us to be on top at all times.
Luckily, we don't have to follow the rules of society!

Love and Dance

//Gypsy Queen