Objects moving in our flat during the dark nights - am I losing it or is this real?

This is going to sound absolutely mad but something is genuinely happening in our flat in South London and I don't know what to do. It started about three weeks ago (mid-October) when the evenings got properly dark, and it's getting worse.

What's happening: Small objects moving when no one's touching them. Nothing violent - a pen rolling across a table, a book sliding off a shelf, keys moving from the kitchen counter to the bedroom. My partner thinks I'm moving them while half-asleep but I'm not. It happens during the day too, just less frequently.

Timeline: Started October 15th, intensified around Halloween, still happening now. No one's died in this flat (checked the records), but my gran did pass away in November last year - could there be a connection to the anniversary date?

I'm terrified of sounding insane at the doctor but I'm also genuinely spooked. My partner is skeptical but concerned. Should we call someone? A priest? A paranormal investigator? What's the actual first step when you think you might be experiencing genuine poltergeist activity?

This could be geomagnetic activity - the Earth's magnetic field fluctuates seasonally and it can cause objects to shift on surfaces, especially if your flat has uneven floors or loose fixtures. Before jumping to ghosts, have a surveyor check your flat for foundation issues. Poltergeists are usually a symptom of something physical, not a haunting.

My gran did pass away in November last year - could there be a connection to the anniversary date?

Absolutely possible. The build-up to significant dates can create increased spiritual activity - especially if she was close to you. This isn't necessarily dangerous, but I'd recommend cleansing. Sage smudging, salt lines, positive affirmations. Your gran might just be trying to get your attention about something. Have you tried talking to her?

Call a GP first before anything else. Rule out carbon monoxide poisoning (causes confusion, hallucinations, missing time), check for gas leaks (can make you paranoid and see things), get a full health check. Once medical stuff is ruled out, THEN worry about paranormal causes.

Poltergeist activity is almost always caused by unresolved emotional energy, usually in the house but sometimes attached to a person. The fact that it correlates with an anniversary and the dark nights suggests this is genuine spiritual activity rather than physical phenomena. You should contact a proper spiritual advisor or paranormal investigator who has credentials.

Document everything. Photos, videos, exact times things move, what the objects are, witness statements. If you do call in an investigator they'll want evidence. Also keep a diary of how you're feeling physically - any headaches, unexplained stress, mood changes. That data matters for ruling out psychological causes.