The Winter Solstice

Have you ever been in a really difficult situation, where you feel that all hope is lost. Then a signal emerges, and immediately you know things are going to get better, that regardless of the difficulty this is not the end.

Kurhaus - Den Haag

Being born and raised in Johannesburg, my only exposure to drastic sunrise and sunset time changes was when I travelled to Cape Town as a child. No matter where you are in South Africa time remains the same.

My biggest challenge to date is adapting to the idea that time is relative and you don’t feel this concept more than moving abroad.

We moved in late October within our first week, we were exposed to the daylight savings winter time lag. It felt amazing to gain a full hour of sleep while still being able to wake up at the same time. The first time you experience this, it is super exciting but by the third clock change, it causes nothing but relative anxiety. Your circadian rhythm is completely thrown off.

Many people have told me long before I asked, if you make it until the 21st of December you will be fine, and I didn’t get it, but now I do.

From October, the Dutch days get shorter and shorter, the temperature drops, the wind gets harsh and the rain never stops. You don’t see the sun for weeks. It is at this point as individuals we are at our lowest, our Vitamin D levels are low and we feel almost as if we cannot go on.

Just then, when all feels lost, we experience - the winter solstice - the longest night of the year. The night where it all changes, it’s a symbol of hope that from here the days will become longer and brighter. The worst is over and the best is yet to come.

It is almost symbolic to the phases of our lives. With a few days to go till the New Year, it may be a good time to reflect on the cycles that we need to break, and courage we need to build.

Wishing you all strength and love.

Till next time. ♥️