But it’s finally time to emerge from those fluorescent-lit caves that we call home during the coldest months. It’s time to get back outside and reconnect with nature after avoiding it for so long.

I have this wonderful soon-to-be-husband with whom I’d like to sync sleep cycles with. Last night, he went to bed at 9 pm so he could wake up at 6 am for work. Five hours later, after organizing my counter, putting away dishes, and listening to a few podcasts, I finally settled down to sleep at about 2 am.

I guess I’m not one for resolutions. They’re big. They’re bulky. They’re heavy. Even though “resolution” is an abstract concept, it carries weight. It carries mass.

The shortest day of the year is the day when the earth betrays us and withholds the sunlight we need to lift our mood, to grow, and to thrive. But it all gets better from here.