Here’s a little story to help you feel it. Last year in late February, my neighbour Louise complained that her car’s headlights “never got a break.” She’d drive to the supermarket at 6:30 AM in darkness and return at 6:30 PM in darkness. Then, around the third week of February, she sent me a photo of her shopping bags in the driveway. The photo was taken in natural light. It wasn’t a miracle. It was just the Earth tilting back.
By March 15th, 2026, you won’t even remember the darkness. The sun will set around 7:15 PM. That means your evening run, your patio coffee, or your “I’ll just sit in the car and listen to one more song” break will be bathed in sunlight. It changes your whole vibe. You stop hustling and start living a little.
The darker mornings. – Explaining Science
The “Second Walk” Effect
One of my favourite indicators is what I call the “Second Walk.” In January, you take the dog out once because it’s cold and dark. But when the nights get lighter, you suddenly have the energy for a quick walk after work. You see neighbours again. You notice the buds on the trees. That shift starts around February 20th, when sunset hits 5:30 PM.
And here’s the kicker: the rate of change is dramatic. In late February, the days gain about three minutes of light each evening. That’s nearly 20 minutes per week. By March, it’s even faster. You’re not just dreaming of lighter nights; you’re living them, one minute at a time.
