Scared of the Dark
As a kid, I was terrified of the dark. I remember running into bed as fast as I could after switching off the light, just in case a hand reached out from under the bed. I would literally leap into bed!
I remember lying in bed, covers over my head, and dreaming about being a grown up, because I knew grown ups weren't scared of anything.
Of course, I was so disappointed when I was in my twenties and discovered I was still freaking scared of the dark!
I've always needed a little light, a TV show, or an audiobook in order to fall asleep.
I used to be ashamed of this. I thought I was too old to be scared of the dark! I should be able to sleep with the light off!
One day I told a friend about all this, and she was like, "Why not turn on a light? Why not do what you need to do so you can sleep better?"
As she spoke I experienced waves of relief as I realized I didn't need to make a dark night harder than it already was. It was ok to give myself what I needed. I could turn on the freaking light.
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As we tip towards deep autumn in the northern hemisphere, when we will be experiencing the darkest nights of the year, I've been thinking a lot about turning on the light.
I think this a beautiful metaphor to play with, especially as global challenges get scarier right along with the nights getting longer.
My question for you today is: what would turning on the light look like for you right now?
Here are a few examples to help you out:
You might be able to turn on your metaphorical light by writing a little bit everyday - even one or two sentences could be a candle in the dark for you.
Maybe going to bed a little earlier each night could do it. 30 minutes more sleep in the dark season might be just what you need to keep the lights on.
Or perhaps you need to take small steps to contribute to changing the world, like reading a book educating you about antiracism, voting in the U.S. election, or publishing a blog post sharing your truth.
All of these actions could be just what you need to tend to your nervous system during this season. It's ok to do things to take care of yourself. It's ok to keep the lights on.
xoxo,
Emma
P.S. Forward this letter to someone you know who needs a reminder that it's ok to keep a light on during a dark night.