How to Make the Most of Shorter Days
- Brainz Magazine
- Sep 12
- 4 min read
Tanya Tsikkos is an innovative jewelry designer who promotes mental health and well-being. COVID-19 left her with emotional challenges, and she found a way to cope and to improve her mental health with her jewelry creations and empowering messages.
Shorter days can feel heavy, but trying these simple tips can help you slow down, find small joys, and make the most of the quieter hours. The days are getting shorter, and you might notice a subtle shift, mornings feel darker, evenings come sooner, and the rhythm of life changes almost imperceptibly. For me, this can sometimes feel a little heavy, even discouraging. But I’ve found that shorter days don’t have to mean less joy, less energy, or less connection. In fact, they can be a gentle invitation to slow down, refocus, and savour the little things that often pass unnoticed in longer, busier days.
Here's how I embrace shorter days, and how you can too
Welcome the light you have
I remember one afternoon walking home from work, frustrated by how early it had gotten dark. Then I paused, looked up, and noticed the warm golden glow of the sun still lingering low in the sky. It was brief, but it was beautiful and noticing it made all the difference.
Even if daylight feels limited, take a moment to really notice it. Open your curtains wide in the morning, sit near a sunny window, or step outside when the sun is out. Welcoming the light you do have, rather than longing for what’s missing, is a simple but profound way to lift your mood.
Create cosy rituals
Shorter days are perfect for creating rituals that feel grounding and comforting. Maybe it’s a cup of tea in the late afternoon, a favourite blanket on the couch, or a playlist that always lifts your spirits.
I like lighting a small candle in the early evening and sitting quietly for ten minutes, just noticing the shift from day to night. It’s a way to pause and honour the rhythm, instead of rushing through it. These little rituals help your mind and body adjust to shorter days with warmth rather than resistance.
Prioritise your energy
When the sun sets earlier, it’s easy to feel like you should keep going as if the light never changed. But energy naturally shifts with the seasons. Take note of when you feel most alert and use that time for tasks that require focus. Save lower-energy moments for quiet, restorative activities.
For me, I noticed that I have more energy in the mornings than I realised, so I started tackling writing and planning earlier in the day. By the time evening comes, I can slow down without guilt, enjoying the calm rather than dragging through tasks.
Move your body, even in small ways
Shorter days can make it tempting to stay still. But moving your body, even for just ten minutes, can boost your mood and energy. A short walk outside, stretching while the coffee brews, or a quick yoga sequence can make a big difference.
One rainy evening, I went for a fifteen-minute walk around my neighbourhood, just noticing the wet leaves and quiet streets. By the time I got home, I felt lighter and more awake than if I’d stayed on the couch. Small movement is a gentle way to remind yourself that life continues, even as the sun sets earlier.
Nurture your creativity
Shorter days create an opportunity to turn inward and explore your creative side. Write, draw, cook something new, or play music, whatever feels joyful. These activities don’t have to be grand or productive in the traditional sense, they’re about nourishing yourself and your mind.
I keep a little notebook by my favourite chair. When the light softens in the evening, I jot down small observations, thoughts, or sketches. It’s become a ritual I look forward to, a way to let the day’s shorter hours feel rich instead of limiting.
Connect with others
Evenings that arrive earlier can feel lonely if we isolate ourselves. Use this time intentionally to connect, call a friend, share a meal with family, or simply chat with a neighbour. Shorter days are an invitation to slow down and savour human connection.
I like texting a friend just to say, ‘thinking of you as the evening sets in’, or hosting a small coffee date in the late afternoon. Even brief moments of connection make shorter days feel warmer and more meaningful.
Embrace rest without guilt
Finally, give yourself permission to rest. Shorter days naturally encourage reflection and slowing down, and that’s a good thing. Rest isn’t laziness, it’s a necessary rhythm that supports energy, mood, and clarity.
Some evenings, I simply curl up with a blanket and a book, letting the dimming light remind me that slowing down is part of the natural cycle. Embracing rest allows you to show up fully when it counts.
Just remember
Shorter days aren’t a signal to do less of life’s joys, they’re a chance to do things differently, to slow down, to notice more, and to nurture yourself. It’s not about fitting everything in or trying to force brightness into every hour. Sometimes, it’s simply about leaning into the quieter moments, honouring your own pace, and letting the days guide you rather than the other way around.
By doing even a few of these things, you can turn shorter days into moments of warmth, reflection, and quiet joy.
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Tanya Tsikkos, Innovative Jewelry Designer & CEO of EntityUK
Tanya Tsikkos is an innovative jewellery designer who promotes mental health and wellbeing. COVID-19 left her with emotional challenges, and she found a way to cope and to improve her mental health with her jewellery creations and empowering messages. She has since dedicated her life to helping others to always feel good and empowered . She is the CEO of EntityUK, an online fashion jewellery company, that combines jewellery with empowerment in each design. Her mission: To inspire, uplift and empower all, to live their best lives, with confidence and style!
