Winter Solstice is just around the corner, signalling the shortest day of the year as well as the beginning of winter. This can often feel depressing since the weather is colder and the days are shorter. However, like many aspects of life, there are fun little therapeutic lessons to take away from this to make it more manageable, and maybe even something you look forward to. One of the main features of cognitive behavioural therapy is the idea of cognitive reframing; essentially the idea that a person can look at an issue they’re having from a different angle and see something positive. The core idea here being that it isn’t the event itself, in this case winter, that causes distress, but rather your interpretation of that event. And if that interpretation is challenged or seen in a different light, it could alleviate the negative impact. So, what does this have to do with Winter Solstice, you may ask? Time for a little history lesson.
Winter Solstice has been noted and celebrated since prehistory as a turning point, and the beginning of the return of light into the world. In Egypt, the Temple of Karnak was aligned with the Solstice sunrise, and Stonehenge is aligned with the Solstice sunset. There are historical feasts thrown in celebration of the coming of longer and more prosperous days. All of this is to say that, throughout human history, we have seen the focus shift away from the cold, short days to the positives that spring from those days. This is not just in anticipation, but even celebration! To this day, people see Solstice as a special day where the focus can be on renewal, resurgence, and resilience. The day is marked with bonfires, candles, and lantern parades; the mood is joyous and excited. The day is special since it holds both what can be seen as a negative (shortest day of the year) and a positive (a signal to the end of that darkness and the coming of more light). Winter solstice is not, of course, the only example of this. In fact, most issues in life tend to hold both negative and positive, and it is up to us where we choose to focus our attention and energy.
Winter solstice is on December 21st, and it is a perfect chance for you to flex your cognitive reframing skills. On this day, light a candle as a symbol of the light that is on its way, and as it burns, think of a way to reframe one challenge in your life as an opportunity. This might be difficult at first but pivot your point of view to see the chance for growth, for change, and even revel in the unknown. Solstice can be a time for renewal, so maybe reconnect with an old friend or start a new routine. Yes, there can be anxiety in doing so, but that can give way to excitement and anticipation in ways you may not expect but certainly come to embrace.
This year, if you take one lesson away from this season, let it be that the solstice reminds us even in the darkest of times, the light always returns.
Rob Baker, MA RCC