Pro #1 It increases productivity. It's far easier to do anything with access to light. Knowing that time with light was limited, meant you got shit done. This was true for all of us. As far as kids go, time is really an abstract concept until they start tracking time by the sun. Our kids became very aware of time limits and self monitored getting things done in an urgent manner because they could literally see that we were running out of light to work in.
Con #1 It decreases the number of hours in a work day. Whatever didn't get done was pushed to the next day.
Insight #1: Having electric lights tricks us into thinking we have more time to do things. This can either make us procrastinate (like kids) or squeeze in a way more 'things to do' than we would historically do in a single day. This experiment has proven to me because of electricity we cram far too much in a day and are working way more than we should.
Pro #2 It slows you down. Since you are limited in what you can do by candlelight you eventually lose the desire to do more in the evening. Instead, you simply wind down from the day. You are no longer rushing around to get things done because you can't move quickly in the dark; unless you want to bonk into a wall, catch your toe on a piece of furniture or catch your hair on fire.
Con #2a Things take longer to do. Looking for something in the basement at nine o'clock at night by candlelight takes time. So does making sure all bits of dinner have been washed off of the pots.
Insight #2: Accepting that nightfall signifies the work day is done allows our brain and body to relax. We all felt calmer in the evenings.
Insight #2b: As a society, we have created a strong dependency on electric lights to the point that we've weakened our ability to 'see' in the dark. If we take the time to allow our eyes to focus and tune into our body's ability to sense objects in our environment, we can manage just fine with minimal light. The problem is we have to move slowly and mindfully to cultivate this skill, which isn't necessarily encouraged in a culture that highly values efficiency. I think the person who can retrieve an object in the dark with patience and without injuring themselves has performed the job just as good, if not better than someone who flicks on the light and hastily grabs the same object. The first approach requires more awareness and skill than the second. If you were to put the latter person in the dark, you'd could very well have a stumbling, cursing fool who is in need of a first aid kit.
Pro # 3: Candlelight makes everything look better. Everyone and everything looks beautiful in reflecting the yellow-orange glow of candlelight. The element of fire is very primal and sacred. It's amorous and divine... Yoga classes in my home studio were a definite hit. So was every dinner.
Con # 3: Blowing candles out was a bad idea. For the first 17 days we had a cloud of smoke permeating our entire house after my husband and I blew out the candles. We'd open windows and fan doors back and forth just to try to dissipate the smoke. We also tried using a candle snuffer, but the same thing happened. It wasn't long before I began to really dislike the smell of candles after had been blown out. A yoga client suggested wetting our fingers or dousing them with a damp cloth. We opted for the damp cloth solution as the number of candles we would have to put out with our fingers would surely entail some pain. The good news is it worked and our house was smoke free for the rest of the experiment.
Insight #3: Even the act of putting out a candle flame should be done with care and not haste, lest the after affects linger longer than necessary. Wind is not the antidote to fire; water is. Remember this when encountering angry people.
Pro # 4: We noticed the sunrise everyday. Becoming dependent on sunlight meant we actually got to observe the sun rising and our bodies were able to wake up gradually instead of abruptly and rudely with the flick of a switch.
Con #4: Getting ready in the dark. For the first couple of days, this proved challenging as we had to adjust our routine and our patience levels, but once we established a new flow, we were able to manage quite well. Nothing and no one caught on fire once. Phew!
Insight #4: With the lights always on in the morning, we realized we were missing out on a very special part of the day. We also appreciated and used the light the sun provided.With electricity, we forget the simple, yet special offering of the sun to us each and every day. That beautiful ball of fire up in the cosmos helps to sustain us in so many ways and without it we would die. It's too bad we're often too busy to take notice of this daily gift. Be sure to thank the sun.
Pro #5a: We used up a massive load of candles sitting in our basement. We inherited these candles from my late mother-in-law, who I knew loved candles, but had no idea she had a stash so big! We ended up with a storage tub filled to the brim with candles– and that was after we sold a ton at last summer's garage sale. We now have a reasonable amount left that will be used within our lifetime. In fact, we may eventually have to buy candles.
Pro #5b: We saved money. Surely, living without lights and screens in the evening for 34 days will have an impact on our hydro bill.
Pro #5c: We did something good for the planet. We were one less household requiring the typical amount of electricity for 34 days. We'd be silly to think our impact was measurable, but knowing we were using less resources than we had access to is gratifying; especially after visiting parts of Thailand and India where there wasn't enough electricity to go around.
Con #5: Candles are not practical for the long term. Well, I guess they could be if you used them in smaller quantities, but if we were to continue living by candlelight, oil lanterns would be the way to go. In South India, they burn coconut oil at night.
All in all, I'd say this experiment was a great exercise. As a family, we strengthened our ability to work together as a team. With the kids, there was a decrease in conflicts related to time-sensitive tasks. And this year, Earth Hour was a breeze! I intend to make more of an effort of staying in tune with the natural rhythm of the sun. Although... here I am writing this blog post at 10:30 at night, long after the sun has gone down. Old habits are relentless! I guess the good news is tomorrow brings another opportunity to try again.
