As November begins, nature quietly invites us inward. The days grow shorter, the air cools, and light softens into shades of gold and grey. For some, this darker season brings a deep sense of comfort, a time to rest, reflect, and replenish. For others, it can feel heavy, lonely, or uncertain, as though the spirit itself is dimming with the fading light.
Neither experience is wrong. Both are part of our human rhythm.
Our ancestors recognised this turning of the year as sacred, a time to honour the cycle of life, death, and renewal. Today, science offers another understanding through the circadian rhythm, the internal clock that governs our sleep, energy, hormones, and mood.
As daylight fades earlier, our brains naturally produce more melatonin, inviting us to rest, and less serotonin, the chemical that supports motivation and balance. This shift can make us feel slower or less energised, not as a failing, but as a biological reflection of the season itself.
The darker months are, in many ways, a mirror, showing us where we need to pause, tend, and realign.
True wellbeing is not about constant brightness or endless productivity. It’s about learning to move with the natural ebb and flow of our energy, rather than against it.
Some of us may find nourishment in quiet evenings, comforting rituals, and deeper self-reflection. Others may feel supported by gentle movement, laughter, or creative expression that keeps energy flowing. What matters most is that we listen, really listen to what our bodies, minds, and hearts are asking for.
This season invites us to ask:
What does wellbeing mean for me in this moment?
What truly helps me feel balanced, whole, and at peace?
A few ways to nurture yourself as we enter the darker half of the year:
Seek light each morning. Even a few minutes outdoors helps balance your natural rhythm and lift your mood.
Nourish your body kindly. Warm foods, rest, and gentle movement support both physical and emotional wellbeing.
Create cosy rituals. Candlelight, music, gratitude journaling, or mindful breathing, small acts that ground and soothe.
Connect with others. Shared warmth, conversation, and community remind us we’re never alone in our cycles of change.
The darker season is not something to endure; it’s an invitation to realign with your inner light, to restore balance, deepen connection, and remember that every pause has a purpose.
Darkness is not the absence of light. It is where light is nurtured, where healing begins, and where wellbeing quietly takes root.
Reflection
As you move through this month, take a few quiet moments to ask yourself:
What part of me is asking to slow down?
Where might I bring more gentleness and care?
What does my soul need to feel well this season?
Write what comes, breathe deeply, and know that you are exactly where you need to be, moving in harmony with the rhythm of life itself.
Enjoy my guided Mindful Awareness meditation to support you.
Catch up with my latest podcast guests to keep you company in the darker evenings.
Sharon Fitzmaurice
Holistic Wellness Coach, Author & Podcast Host
