Seeing the day turn night at 5 p.m. for the first time every year immediately brings a sense of dread. Long days can be jam-packed with activities, so when the sun starts setting early, it feels like days are going to waste.
This was also my initial feeling, but as world-renowned philosopher Kevin Gates said, “When you change your perspective, that’s when miracles happen.”
Disassociating the end of daylight savings with dread and depression is the first step in enjoying the longer nights.
The next step is learning to embrace the smaller things in life. While the ideal summer day is ambitious and extravagant, when I think of an ideal winter night, I am envisioning a cozy and relaxing time.
But how do you have a cozy and relaxing time during these nights? What is there to do?
All of the lights
Once December starts, I recommend that everyone takes advantage of that month-long window to enjoy the lights. There is nothing more beautiful than seeing neighborhoods and city centers light up in a flurry of bright colors.
Nowadays, no one can agree on anything. With communities feeling fractured, it is nice seeing that amidst all the chaos, people can still come together and give life to entire neighborhoods simply by putting up Christmas lights.
And don’t get me started on lights under a snowy night. When it snows, the lights go from being beautiful to magical. It’s an almost out-of-body experience where time slows down, and we have the chance to witness something so simple yet so mesmerizing.
From the Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to skating in Acacia Park, there are great options for a night out where nothing else matters besides admiring the lights.
While I recommend everyone go out to at least one of these locations this season, enjoying the beauty of the lights is something you can do every night without much travel.
As someone who takes their dog out on a walk every day, the winter nights are my favorite as the sidewalks of my neighborhood are lit up by Christmas lights and the night is silent. So even if you don’t go out to admire the extravagant light shows, take a walk, or even a drive, and enjoy the little things by admiring the lights.
In Colorado Springs, there are a lot of ways to enjoy the lights during winter. The Visit Colorado Springs website listed some of the best ways to admire the lights around town this season.
______ night (game, movie, cooking, family)
The unfortunate reality is that the Christmas season will end, and we will be stuck with long nights without pretty lights to look at.
Don’t worry, as there are still ways to enjoy the long nights from the comfort of your own home. You just have to keep reminding yourself that having a good time doesn’t need to involve going out and spending a lot of money (note to self).
Nighttime creates the perfect atmosphere for binging movies or shows. Just microwave some popcorn, raid the candy section of the dollar store, invite some friends and you’ve got yourself a great night.
Game night is no different. Grab a snack bowl and forget whose turn it is as you and your friends are too distracted laughing and telling stories.
For the nights when the snow is holding you captive, showcase those kitchen skills and cook with your loved ones. I don’t mean sit back and watch as the most experienced cook makes a meal but get in there and create something!
Speaking of loved ones, the long nights are perfect for spending time with family. It does not matter what you do, just spend some time with them!
Those are my personal favorites, but you can literally do anything at home. Don’t associate being at home with a boring time, as it can always be fun.
Stay positive
Above all else, stay positive during this time. Approaching anything with a bad attitude guarantees a 100 percent chance of you not enjoying it.
Approach the longer nights with optimism, as they provide a chance to slow down, collect your thoughts and find beauty in the simplest of things.
This week, I’ll find beauty in the fact that short days mark the end of the semester!
Campus clubs decorate the spine in celebration of the 2025 Light the Spine event. Photo by Josiah Dolan.