when the sun goes down at 5pm

Nov 03, 2024

hello.

when the sun goes down at 5pm, i stay home to rot in bed or cook stew in the kitchen and hibernate until the sun comes back up. you know how envious we are of people who are in bed before 10pm? this is is our time.

yes, darker days feel grim, but i also find comfort in this period of solitude. a chance to reset, stay home, write, wallow, rot.

i’ve compiled a list of things to do to help you ease into this new transition of darker days ahead.

This may contain: a drawing of an animal sitting in a chair

early evening routine:

-wear cozy pajamas: do you like matching jammies or a baggy t shirt and sweats? gap makes the coziest pajama tops and bottoms.

-light candles: replace artificial light with tapered candles in candle sticks. create a little sanctuary in your room. (please don’t forget to blow your candles out before bed). if you’re forgetful and want to experience candles without a worry in the world, consider this candle warmer. i use this every single day. my favorite bedtime candles are opopanax by diptyque (balmy, warm, vanilla), encre by diptyque (licorice, sweet, woody), fig and cassis by jo malone (one of my favorites and it’s on sale now!), oatmeal cookie candle from anthropologie (warm, cozy, oatmeal cookie- this one is on sale, too).

-put on a jazz record and invite a few close friends over: put out appetizers (i fw spinach artichoke dip and chips. or consider a bruschetta. or baked brie with cranberries and crackers)

-baking project (cinnamon rolls, pie, miso chocolate chip cookies, sticky buns): put together a list of all the sweet treats you’ve been wanting to make. this also makes for a great gift since the holidays are coming up.

-cook a stew: it’s soup season! what’s your favorite soup? here are some recipes: turkey soup, tomato, chili, sweet potato, carrot-parsnip, red lentil, french onion, butternut squash with brown butter, broccoli and potato, chickpea vegetable, tortellini, cold cure (for sick days).

-listen to chopin and read dostoevsky: or your choice of rich literature.

-journal!! there has never been a more perfect time to journal. set the mood, get your favorite journal and favorite pen and write, write, write. am i the only one who has a few different journals for different things? i have a journal for messy word vomit, i have one for documenting memories with little mementos, and i have one for writing lists, favorite things, and creative ideas…

-facetime with your best friend: sometimes you don’t feel like going out- consider a virtual date with your friend.

-read from your tbr stack: if you’re a mood reader like me, i know your tbr stack is a mile high. sift through all your books and pick one that feels good to you.

-take on a home project: organize your bookshelf (a current project of mine), clean out your pantry, give away old clothes, etc

-make a new pinterest board: make time for your nightly pinterest board and spotify playlist enrichment time.

-make a list in your notes app of all the tv shows and films you want to watch: pick a variety of genres/vibes. sometimes i just want trashy reality tv, other times i want cozy and comforting, sometimes i want to fall asleep to bitchy french films. i have lists for all of them.

-study: are you a student, too? use this time to your advantage. take late night trips to the library and stay awhile.

-take a hot bath: this one is not for me. i hate baths. showers » for me.

-make yourself a cup of hot sleepytime tea with honey and lemon: this is his season after all.

-listen to grouper and rot in your bed: is this too niche?

-write handwritten love notes to your friends: handwritten love notes, diy christmas cards, handmade crafty gifts- search up some ideas on pinterest and figure out what you’re going to make this year. you can include little things in your letters like tea bags, little drawings, pressed flowers, photos, buttons, small zines, etc.

-put together gift guides for the upcoming holiday season: figure out what kind of budget you’re working with first, then plan what gifts you’re able to get for friends and family. gift giving does not have to be extravagant. sometimes, homemade baked goods or a handmade card are enough- simple, but significant.

-gift yourself a subscription: If you’ve been eyeing different subscriptions like criterion, mubi, the new york review of books, the new yorker, etc, now feels like a good time to treat yourself to the gift of cinema and literature.

-have a cozy bedtime scent: use lotions or bedtime fragrances that are light and invite warm sleepy time vibes. this vanilla lotion is one of my favorites. for bedtime fragrances, i love vanilla bean noel from bath and body works BUT, i heard they changed the formula, so i don’t know how it smells anymore. sad. i can attest for strawberry pound cake, though. this one is delicious. i also love molecule 01, eau duelle (edp) by diptyque, and wood sage and sea salt by jo malone.