Early darkness used to be the villain of winter, now it’s the main character of our
nightly routines and personally I love it. The term ‘seasonal depression’ is a term
often used in relation to the depressive state people find themselves in as winter
approaches, usually brought about from the darker evenings and cold,
uncomfortable weather. However, for many of us, and especially on social media
platforms such as TikTok, the rise of slow evenings and the romanticisation of the
dark have become a source of comfort and a way for us to unwind after a busy day
of university and work.
Firstly, its key to mention the psychological shift involved in the appeal towards slow
evenings. The development of technology and social media platforms have
increased the presence of overconsumption and overstimulation, and with ‘digital
noise’ being a prevalent concept, the need for ‘permission’ to wind down is more
important than ever. After a long day, we value a clear boundary between work and
personal time and the presence of darkness influences the feeling of unwinding and
a time to relax.
The idea of seasonal nostalgia and micro traditions is on the rise in this current
generation. The glamourisation of tiny rituals; romanticizing the idea of early dinners,
long baths, dusk walks and hot chocolate make the nights much more bearable and
give us a sense of comfort in the colder months. These tiny rituals also address the
loneliness some may feel during the winter period, with less activities and shorter
days making it easier to feel isolated, small moments of warmth that remind us we’re
still connected to ourselves, even when everything outside feels cold and quiet. In a
world that constantly tells us to optimize every minute, early darkness has
encouraged a new kind of self-care, one that’s gentler, quieter, and more
sustainable. Instead of the heavily marketed, high-effort version of self-care, think
expensive skincare, productivity planners, or elaborate routines, people are
gravitating toward soft self-care which is the kind that focuses less on improving
yourself and more on simply comforting yourself. Most importantly, this softer self-
care takes the pressure off. There’s no expectation to be productive or to fix yourself.
It’s about rest, warmth, and gentleness, giving yourself permission to unwind without
apology. By embracing slow evenings, people are redefining what self-care looks
like, not a performance, but a feeling.
Ultimately, this form of romanticisation gives our minds a well needed rest,
romanticising slow nights isn’t about pretending winter is perfect but about creating
moments that help us get through it. Ultimately, this form of romanticisation gives our
minds a well-needed rest, it gives us a pause from the pressure to be constantly
active. And if leaning into early dinners, warm drinks, or quiet routines makes the
colder months feel a little lighter, then it’s worth embracing.