It’s been weeks—actually, months—of rainy weekends. The kind where you wake up to gray skies and puddles instead of golden light and open windows. And while I’ve always been someone who loves a good cozy day now and then, I’m also someone who runs on sunshine. Truly. I jokingly refer to myself as solar-powered, because nothing lifts my energy quite like being outside with the sun on my skin and the breeze in my hair. After all, I am your #itravelforsunsets girl! 🌞
These past weekends reminded me of a time in my life when I didn’t
know how to bring the light with me. When a string of gloomy days could easily
throw me off balance—emotionally, mentally, energetically. I remember how
quickly a few gray days could make everything feel a bit heavier, even if
nothing else had changed. It’s something many people experience in the form of
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a very real condition where lack of sunlight
impacts mood, sleep, and overall well-being.
But over time, I learned to create my own sunshine—no matter
what the sky looked like. I stopped waiting for perfect weather and started
practicing habits that made me feel warm and lit up from the inside out.
So if you're someone who craves the sun, and this season has
been testing your spirit, here are a few ways to brighten your world—rain or
shine.
1. Create Sunshine in Your
Space
Sunlight isn’t the only thing that can shift your
mood—light, color, scent, and energy all play a role. I fill my space with
warmth: soft golden lighting, citrus and sandalwood oils, music that lifts my
mood, and little details like crystals, cozy textures, or vibrant art.
Try This: Add a small “light altar” in your home—a
place with a candle, a happy photo, and maybe a note to yourself that says
“Shine anyway.”
2. Get Outside Anyway
Even on the dreariest of days, I step outside for a few deep breaths. Nature has a way of meeting us where we are, even if the sun stays tucked behind the clouds. There’s something grounding about the rhythm of the earth that helps reset my energy.
And here’s why it matters: our bodies run on an internal clock known as the circadian rhythm—a natural 24-hour cycle that influences everything from our mood and energy to sleep and hormone levels. One of the most powerful ways to support that rhythm is exposure to natural light, especially in the morning. Even when the sky is gray, daylight still helps your body understand that it’s time to wake up, focus, and feel alive.
Try This: Commit to 5–10 minutes outside each day, especially in the morning. Let the natural light—yes, even through the clouds—signal your body and mind to wake up and engage with the world around you.
3. Watch the Story You
Tell Yourself
I used to say, “Ugh, another gray day,” before my feet even
hit the floor. Now, I catch that thought and ask: What can I create today?
That shift in perspective has helped me reclaim days that used to feel heavy.
Try This: Start your morning with an intention or an
affirmation like “I bring light wherever I go.” Let it guide your choices and
mood throughout the day.
4. Make Joy Intentional
I don’t wait for good weather to do the things I love. I
build sunshine into my days—whether it’s cooking with bright flavors, moving my
body with music, connecting with uplifting people, or creating something
beautiful just because.
Try This: Keep a “Joy List”—quick, doable things that
light you up. When the skies turn gray, pull from that list and give yourself
one bright moment.
5. Nurture Your
Inner Light
There are days when the weather doesn’t just affect the
outside—it tries to get inside, too. That’s when I turn inward. Meditation,
energy work, journaling, and simple moments of stillness help me reconnect with
the light within me.
Try This: Close your eyes and visualize sunlight
filling your chest and radiating outward. Breathe into that feeling for a few
minutes. Let your own energy be your source of warmth.
We don’t get to control the weather—but we do get to choose
how we meet it. If you’ve been feeling off lately, know that you’re not alone.
It’s okay to miss the sun. And it’s also okay to be the one who brings it.
You are light.
You are warmth.
You are the sunshine someone else may need today.
Let your light shine brightly—bright enough to warm your world, and generous enough to light the way for others.
Be well,
Mary-Anne
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