When the Light Fades: Navigating Seasonal Affective Disorder in the Alt Community
Even creatures of the night need the sun sometimes (heavy on the sometimes, lol)
by: The Lace Ledger Staff
The Darkness We Don’t Romanticize
For many in the alternative world, winter feels familiar. We dress in black, light candles instead of lamps and linger in quiet places where others might crave brightness. But when daylight fades early and mood follows, the line between aesthetic darkness and emotional struggle begins to blur.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is more than a seasonal dip in energy. It’s a clinical condition linked to reduced sunlight and changes in circadian rhythm.
Within the alt community, the impact can hide in plain sight — masked by humour, filtered through our existing aesthetic or mistaken for “commitment to the bit.”
What starts as solitude can quietly turn into isolation.
Warning Signs to Watch For
SAD doesn’t necessarily arrive suddenly.
It creeps in, dimming spark until everything feels slightly out of reach.
Signs may include persistent fatigue, a loss of interest in favourite creative outlets or an urge to withdraw from social spaces. Some experience appetite changes or find their sleep patterns slipping. Others feel emotionally flat or detached from joy.
If these patterns last or deepen, professional support can make an enormous difference. Asking for help is not a weakness — it’s a way back toward yourself.
Finding Light Without Losing Yourself
You don’t have to shed your aesthetic to find balance. Healing can exist inside layers of black.
Simple practices often help:
Exposure to morning light steadies the body’s rhythm, goth hiss. Vitamin D can lift mood over time.
Light therapy boxes offer a small but reliable spark of brightness when sunlight is scarce.
Supplement with Vitamin B and D for immune support and energy (after consulting a medical professional).
Mindfulness, yoga and consistent movement help to regulate the nervous system.
Nutritious, balanced meals help sustain emotional steadiness throughout the day.
Community & Connection
In alt spaces, vulnerability is often mistaken for fragility. Yet it’s the heartbeat of true artistry. Beneath the tough exterior and wardrobe equivalent of wrought-iron fences, many of us carry the same ache. You are not alone in it.
Reach out to someone you trust. Speak honestly, even when words feel heavy. If you need immediate support, please contact Talk Suicide Canada by calling or texting 988 or try Better Help to connect with a therapist for regular sessions.
Help exists, and it’s waiting for you.
