Inspired by Layla O’Mara’s early morning sitting in the dark live session, some thoughts on different kinds of darkness: Christmas dark, fear of the dark, camping dark, lying awake in the dark
Very nice to see that your early morning session yielded such a rich and vivid memory sketch. I like the idea but my eyesight is not what it once was and I’d find it very difficult to write by candlelight. I noticed when our four year old grand-daughter stayed with us last week that she would rather sleep in a dark room with the door closed than have it left open - it’s the shadows that scare her most
Thanks Miranda ❤️ Writing by candlelight was mostly done by muscle memory - and reading back over what I wrote during the session was definitely a challenge!
thank you for more great writing on the dark <3 How fascinating that you had a similar experience of insomnia on the cusp of adolescence! another threshold moment like perimenopause. I find I often have a few days or weeks of insomnia when my brain needs to process something. although it comes with its challenges (tiredness!) I generally try and respect the experience and open to what it might be offering. definitely hormones play a part too. the interplay of hormones and life changes together, probably!
Thanks Chloe 🥰 I’m endlessly fascinated by the ways our minds affect our bodies, and our bodies affect out minds. Also increasingly wishing there was some kind of MSc in Perimenopausal Studies I could take - so much going on that I’d like to understand better!
Love that this is what emerged from the session Ellen, especially the camping dark - the ‘completeness’ of it… also interesting about the sleep … I learnt yesterday that walking at night in the dark (no torch!) helps increase melatonin and therefore sleep….
I share a bbc piece Chloe George shared with me in my joy jumble today about night walking, you should take a listen, it’s fascinating. Love to hear how you get on if you do.. x
Very nice to see that your early morning session yielded such a rich and vivid memory sketch. I like the idea but my eyesight is not what it once was and I’d find it very difficult to write by candlelight. I noticed when our four year old grand-daughter stayed with us last week that she would rather sleep in a dark room with the door closed than have it left open - it’s the shadows that scare her most
Thanks Miranda ❤️ Writing by candlelight was mostly done by muscle memory - and reading back over what I wrote during the session was definitely a challenge!
Some of us just sat & didn’t write at all Miranda!
I might try just sitting in the dark and not writing next Friday - it scares me slightly which I usually take as a sign that I should try something.
I’ve tried that some mornings, it’s very interesting what comes…
thank you for more great writing on the dark <3 How fascinating that you had a similar experience of insomnia on the cusp of adolescence! another threshold moment like perimenopause. I find I often have a few days or weeks of insomnia when my brain needs to process something. although it comes with its challenges (tiredness!) I generally try and respect the experience and open to what it might be offering. definitely hormones play a part too. the interplay of hormones and life changes together, probably!
Thanks Chloe 🥰 I’m endlessly fascinated by the ways our minds affect our bodies, and our bodies affect out minds. Also increasingly wishing there was some kind of MSc in Perimenopausal Studies I could take - so much going on that I’d like to understand better!
Love that this is what emerged from the session Ellen, especially the camping dark - the ‘completeness’ of it… also interesting about the sleep … I learnt yesterday that walking at night in the dark (no torch!) helps increase melatonin and therefore sleep….
Love the idea of a nighttime walk after the kids are in bed, will definitely give this a go!
I share a bbc piece Chloe George shared with me in my joy jumble today about night walking, you should take a listen, it’s fascinating. Love to hear how you get on if you do.. x
I might give that a try, I could always meditate!