STEP IN TO THE LIGHT

One of the strangest things we're adjusting to is the difference in light. Both in the quantity - we need sunglasses all the time - and the hours.

It feels so much brighter because there are rarely any clouds. Where are the clouds? There ought to be clouds!

It's great during the day, because the apartment is flooded with natural light. It definitely helps with the transition to live in a bright sunny space.

We are having trouble remembering our sunglasses, however. But sometimes even the walk to the grocery store is too bright for regular lenses. This is quite strange. Plus, I'm more likely to tan or burn than I'm used to. Very confusing!

The other big change is the time zone. We're still in Eastern Time, but barely. (In fact, part of the Upper Peninsula is in Central.) So we'll think it's 6:30 p.m. given the light outside, and it actually turns out to be 8:00. Oops. (We've been late making dinner a couple of times as a result!)

This is lovely in the evenings - we definitely have more energy. I'm hoping this will help in the winter - it's such a difference coming home when there's light versus in the dark. But the flip side is the mornings. I find myself sleeping in later than I intend because the sun is rising later. It feels like 5:00 a.m.; why should I get out of bed? Next thing you know, it's 9:00... So I'm also dreading the winters. I worry about being able to get up in the morning.

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The other light-related comment is that due to our proximity to the parking lot, it never feels truly dark at night. When I get up to use the bathroom or re-up the antihistamines in the middle of the night, I don't even need to turn on a light to use the stairs safely. It's not bright and bothersome, mostly, but it does lend a slight twilight feel to things some days.

It's also pure luck that I chose the side of the bed that I did, because I'm away from the window. If I'd wound up next to the window? My insomnia would have thrown a party.

It's the little things like this that we're getting used to. Back home, the front room was bright and sunny, and the back bedroom was dim and cozy and we really learned how to optimize those features. Now it's a matter of reprogramming ourselves to think of each room differently and figure out what's best when.