It’s been nearly a week since we all changes our clocks back, “falling back” an hour. When I was younger and child-free, I used to call it “invincibility weekend.” Normally sluggish and not exactly a “morning person,” I’d suddenly feel well-rested, perky, and eager to get out of bed as my internal clock was tricked into thinking it was later than it really was.

Now, things are different. I’m not just managing my own internal schedule, but my children’s as well. Last Sunday, I definitely didn’t feel invincible. Honestly, I felt confused. Around 3 p.m., I caught myself saying, “Welp, I better start getting dinner ready.” Wrong. By 5 p.m., it was nearly dark, yet we still had an hour until dinner and more than three until bedtime.

As I often tell newcomers, the endless summer daylight in Minot can be disorienting, but the early darkness of winter is equally confusing. The long days of sunlight in Hotdish Land have a dark side (pun intended): we pay for those extended summer days with very dark winters.
You know I prefer to focus on the positive and create an abundance mindset. However, I’m not completely detached from reality. This time of year can be challenging, especially for those who aren’t from around here.

While adults may struggle, small children can find this change especially confusing. They have less life experience and only a loose concept of time. I remember when my oldest first noticed the seasonal shifts. At about three years old, he didn’t care that we were still eating dinner when the clock read 6 p.m. All he knew was that it was dark, and he felt afraid because he couldn’t see out the window. To him, darkness meant bedtime, and being out in the evening was unsettling.
I promise, it gets easier. With a little time, you’ll adjust to the new rhythm–but here are some practical tips I’ve learned to help us navigate—even embrace—the dark side of the year:

1. Strategically prevent isolation. This is perhaps the most important advice I can give. When it’s dark and cold, it’s easy to stay home. But Hotdish Land winters are long. Without intentional social interactions, it’s easy to strain your family dynamics from being cooped up together for too long. The same goes for those without a spouse or children—isolating during winter can strain friendships, leading to feelings of loneliness, depression, and anxiety.
   Go into the season with a plan. I recommend joining a club, class, league, or group that meets regularly for accountability. This creates anchor points in your week, giving you something to look forward to during the cold, dark months. Check the Visit Minot community calendar and attend events. It’s a perfect time to learn something new or invest in the community.
2. Keep your home well-lit. I know people who swear by daylight bulbs. For my family, we don’t switch bulbs, but we ensure our living spaces are well-lit. Smart lights, nightlights with program settings, or traditional timers can also be helpful. For instance, we set lights in our kids’ rooms to turn on at bedtime as a cue, since it often looks like bedtime long before it actually is.
3. Get outside when possible. Invest in quality winter gear (you can save money by shopping secondhand) and take advantage of days when the windchill is above zero. In other words, get the light when you can. Embracing the outdoors in winter can be refreshing and breaks up the monotony of indoor life.
4. Find indoor activities. If it’s too cold to be outside, get active indoors. I love walking at the MSU indoor track. Winter is also a great time to try activities like curling, pickleball, self-defense classes, or even square dancing. (I’ve tried all of these over the years!)
5. Take a vitamin D supplement. Every health care provider I’ve seen in North Dakota has stressed the importance of vitamin D. The lack of sunlight in winter makes it especially beneficial.
   Finally, do your best to embrace winter’s uniqueness. North Dakota’s extreme winters are unlike anything most Americans will experience. Lean into it! Minot works hard to make the most of the cold. Take charge of your own narrative and discover how much fun you can have—even when others insist there’s “nothing to do” in North Dakota.
   For more ideas and tips on living in Hotdish Land, connect with me online at amyallender.com or Instagram @HeyMinot or @amy_allender. Find me on Facebook @amyallenderblog.