We're are a few weeks into autumn now, and even though many of us are mourning the end of summer, us autumniacs (Is that even a word? Well it is now!) couldn't be more thrilled. But we know that those of us who profess our love for the cooler months are something of a rarity and not understood by sun worshippers.
Lots of people feel quite low as the cooler season approaches. It's the combination of the drop in temperature; the reduced levels of sunshine; the dark evenings drawing in sooner; the rain... All these elements contribute to people feeling lethargic, unmotivated, and unenthusiastic about life. They feel that their social life tends to dwindle around this time because people don't want to go out as much. They don't want to go out as much! Then there's the constant colds that keep going around, the worries about money as Christmas is fast approaching... Is it any wonder then that autumn is about as welcome as a mouse in a cheese factory?
Even though the appeal of the warmer seasons is pretty clear, life doesn't come to a standstill just because autumn has arrived. In fact there's all sorts of wonderful things to look forward to when autumn hits. The fact that the key colours of the season include gold, orange, and terracotta holds a clue - warming, cheery, and earthy... there are lots of good things to look forward to when autumn arrives, and some great experiences to enjoy. And one of the great things about autumn, is that after spending the summer constantly on the go, autumn is a great opportunity to slow down, unwind, savour the little things and take it easy.
So for those of you who find the cooler months a bit of a drag, we've come up with a list of ideas to inspire and motivate you, which will hopefully have you feeling more positive and optimistic.
1. DECORATE YOUR SPACE
They say a change is as good as a rest, so welcome the new season by changing things up a little. Pack away your bright, lightweight summer furnishings/decor/household items, and bring out the autumn goodies in richly textured fabrics and earthy autumnal tones in order to make some simple changes in space and decor.
(L-R) Thanks to Monfocus, designedbynico, StockSnap, JamesDeMers, der-bilderknipser, StockSnap, hraine @ Pixabay
First things first, and as boring as it may be, get rid of all that summer dust and grime with a thorough autumn- clean. A sparklingly clean, clutter-free environment immediately puts you in a better mood and makes you feel more relaxed. And then you can get on with the fun stuff - decorating!
Welcome the new season with some doorway décor in the form of an autumn style wreath or leaf garland
Swap your lightweight summer linens with heavier fabrics. Layer up with throws and cushions and turn your living room into a warm and inviting sanctuary
Get warm, chunky-knit blankets on your bed, turning it into a snug haven. Always launder your bedding first even if they've been packed away. If there's anything that's seen better days, replace it. As we all know, there's nothing quite like new bedding. That's an absolute luxury in itself!
If you have a fireplace, rearrange the furniture so that the fireplace is the focal point
Swap your summer curtains for heavier drapes which make the room look and feel warmer
Make your rooms look cozier with rugs in earthy, autumnal tones
Nothing screams autumn quite like a cluster of pumpkins and gourds. So be sure to create interesting displays in your porch/doorway; corner of your sitting room; by the fireplace' hallway etc.
Dot those burlap covered jars around the place
2. WARMING TO AUTUMN!
For some of us, the beauty of autumn is that the colder weather is a great reason to get all comfy, snug and cozy - and who wouldn't like that! And that's one of the advantages that autumn has over summer: If it gets too cold, you just layer up! What do you do when it's too hot? Unless you live near Miami Beach, running around in a bikini is not an option! By now everyone is familiar with the Danish practice of hygge, and as autumn arrives, it's good to embrace the concept of warmth and the idea of being being snug, cosy... and content!
You get to wear the kind of clothes that you don't get to wear during the warmer months: comfy, cosy sweaters , long cardis, skinny jeans, boots that keep your feet all toasty... who can wear boots in scorching hot weather? We might all love running around in flip flops throughout the warmer months but it feels so good to be back in a pair of knee-high boots! Celebrate (that's right, celebrate) the autumn season by wearing clothes that make you feel warm and comfy.
Buy yourself something new that you'll look forward to wearing this autumn. Or better still - sew/knit/crochet something if you're able to.
Get out your flannel pjs!
It's the perfect excuse to lie around in cosy pjs, snuggled under a warm blanket, watching movies all day or reading, and drinking hot chocolate (providing it's the weekend of course!)
You can absolutely wear bed socks and bring a hot water bottle to bed without feeling like someone's grandad!
3. WEATHERING THE FALL
There's something so unique about the beauty of autumn: the evident change in season; the pretty colours; the crispness in the morning air; that golden glow, and the warmth that tells you that even though summer's over, it's not quite winter yet...
It's been known that being out and about in natural surroundings can alleviate stress, depression and anxiety, therefore getting a big, fat dose of nature may be beneficial to your emotional well-being. So soak up the natural gorgeousness of autumn and celebrate everything that the season has to offer.
There's no denying that blossom looks gorgeous in spring but there's just something naturally stunning about the simplicity of fall colours, and walking ankle-deep in fallen leaves
It's great to fall asleep to the sound of falling rain
Choose a day to unplug, unwind, and just enjoy the weather
The crisp, cool weather makes for great walks or bike rides
Go on a nature walk/hike and take pics
Watch a beautiful autumn sunset
Go leaf-peeping! Find out which are the best locations to see the fall colours in all its glory and go take a trip out there.
Use autumn's nature: collect conquers, leaves, acorns, pinecones etc. - and make a fall wreath
4. INDULGE IN WARMING FOOD AND AUTUMN FLAVOURS!
Each season brings with it certain types of food and a variety of flavours that are synonymous with that particular time of year, whether it's fresh produce or particular treats and delicacies. Not only that but certain methods of cooking also become more popular during autumn. So indulge in it all!
Indulge in all the apple, pumpkin and spiced goodies that are now available
Try out a new crockpot/slow cooker recipe
Now is the perfect time to bake, bake, bake! No one wants to be stuck in a hot kitchen during the summer (no one wants to be stuck indoors full stop during the summer!) but autumn's great for practising your baking skills and creating baked goodies that you can share (if you're feeling generous!)
The colder temperature means lots of frothy, hot drinks and seasonal beverages that autumn is famous for. Who couldn't love those wonderfully flavoured hot chocolates, teas and coffees that are available. Gingerbread, eggnog, caramel, and pumpkin spice lattes... bring it on!
It ain't called comfort food for nothing and warming soups, stews and stodgy puds were made for this weather!
5. THERE'S PLENTY OF PLACES TO GO!
Having an active social life is a very important aspect of personal growth and emotional well-being. During autumn and winter your social calendar might not be as hectic it is during the summer but our social life doesn't come to a stand still just because summer is over. If you think colder weather means being cooped up indoors, think again. Some of us have had our best nights out during cold and wet weather. Just think of all those mad Halloween and New Year's Eve celebrations! Furthermore autumn may be cooler than summer but it's still fairly warm so the weather shouldn't stop you from going out and doing your thang!
All the best holiday celebrations - Halloween, Bonfire Night, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day etc. - take place during the colder parts of the year
Go to a farmer's market and pick up some lovely fresh produce and freshly made goodies
Go on a coffee date at the local coffee house and sample those new seasonal flavours
If you're lucky enough to have a local drive-in, make use of it and see what's playing. Being snuggled up in the car with a cozy blanket, while watching a movie is an amazing experience
Host a bonfire night
Go to an autumn craft fair
Visit a pumpkin patch...
...While you're at it, visit a corn maze too, and take a hayride.
Have a go at fruit picking. Share them with family and friends, or put them to good use in a pie or crumble.
If the weather is warm enough, go on an autumn picnic
If you don't want to venture too far from your house you can still enjoy the crisp autumn air but creating a snug little outdoor oasis. Get some comfy chairs, lights, tealights in mason jars, lanterns, blankets, weatherproof rugs... if you have a fire pit, then you're really in business!
6. OR YOU COULD JUST STAY IN
But if you do decide to stay in, there's still loads you can do. And you can invite your mates too to really make a night of it!
Saturday nights with takeaways, booze, movies and mates are fab
Hold a movie night over at your place. Staying in to watch a movie can be every bit as fun as going to the cinema. Get a good selection of movies that you think your friends might enjoy, and some nibbles
Start a book club and have regular meetings at each other's houses. Don't forget the snacks!
The cooler weather can mean that your skin and hair isn't looking it's best. So that calls for a spa night. Put together a selection of beauty treatments that your friends might like to try. Or arrange a selection of ingredients - yogurt, honey, oatmeal etc - so that everyone can whip up their own homemade face/hair masks
Try out a new hobby - or devote more time to an existing one
Autumn was made for arts and crafts: sewing; painting; clay modelling, knitting... take your pick!
Host a games night
Curl up with a good book. Nothing beats a cup of tea and a good read
Start up a Come Dine With Me style supper club and go round to each other's homes to discover, who out of all your mates, is the best chef!
It doesn't really matter what you do, providing you're spending time with the people you love...
7. MAKE SCENTS
Certain aromas can have a positive effect on our moods, feelings and well-being, and make us feel refreshed, calm, energised and can help to promote good sleep. So if the change in season has made you feel down in the dumps, and you're experiencing a bit of an energy slump, it makes scents (hehe!) to incorporate aromas that make you feel better and improve your mood. There are lots of warming and calming autumn-associated scents that will have you feeling the season! These include:
Cinnamon
Pumpkin
Apple
Ginger
Nutmeg
Coffee
Sage
Clove
Fennel
Cedarwood
Juniper berry
Rosemary
Bergamot
Steer clear of any product that has that ghastly synthetic fragrance. Opt for good quality scented candles and incense sticks; essential oils, floral-scented spritzes... Oh and an aromatic bath doesn't just do wonders for you, but also makes your bathroom smell divine! You can also have a go at making your own essential oil blends to create homemade products.
Light an autumn scented candle
Make a simmer pot and allow the aroma to waft through your home
Bake to your heart's content and get that divine aroma of home baking floating all over the house
Put a few drops of essential oil on pine cones or pot pourri
Use essential oil in an oil burner
Spritz homemade room spray around the house
Autumn-scented reed diffuser
Spritz some linen spray on bedding. It might even promote a good night's sleep
Make autumn scented cleaning products
Create spiced citrus jars
8. LET THERE BE LIGHT!
The sun sets earlier in autumn and darkness descends upon us sooner. For a lot of people this does nothing to life their spirits but there's no reason why you can't create a wonderful warming glow in and around your home:
Fairy lights or string lights aren't just for Christmas, you know!
Sit by a fireplace or fire pit to get warm and toasty.
Candelit/fireside teas are what autumn is all about!
Candles and lots of them to create that feeling of warmth and light
Lanterns
Pumpkins aren't just for Halloween, and can be used as lanterns all throughout autumn
Luminary bags
Twine balls and branches
Tealights or string lights in mason jars
Lights in trees
9. ENJOY THE SIMPLE THINGS
There's lots of little things you can appreciate throughout autumn.
Rest and allow yourself a break.
Watch your fave horror flicks/cozy mysteries. Texas Chainsaw Massacre or Miss Marple, anyone?
Read! It's something a lot of people say they wish they could do more of but don't have enough time for. So pay your library or local book shop a visit, and get lost in a novel
Packed tubes, trains and buses are way more bearable when it's cold, so be thankful for that!
Appreciate the beauty of a dark city street, after it's been raining and seeing the street lights reflected on the glistening ground.
It's great news for holidaymakers and soon-to-be-marrieds as everything tends to be cheaper around this time.
10. HEALTH & WELL-BEING
After being constantly on the go during the summer, things tend to slow down a bit when autumn arrives - and that's not necessarily a bad thing. So relax and take the time to chill (just not literally!)
Even though you won't be getting your beach bod out for a while, it's still a good idea to keep up with your fitness regime
Check in with how you're feeling and what you need
Let go of what's been bothering you
Create an autumn gratitude journal or chart
Book yourself in for a massage
Pick one bad habit that you want to work on
Strive to create more balance in your life
Declutter and get rid of what you don't need
AND FINALLY...
We know that the world is in the midst of a pandemic right now, and rules regarding socializing are forever changing. This post was written with more general times in mind, although pandemic or not, there's still tons of cool, autumn related things you can do, so enjoy!
Photos: Pixabay with thanks to all image authors. Click on photo for link
Blog graphics and word cloud: Angel Noire
I'm a summer girl through and through. I love the sunshine and being out in it - it makes me feel so much happier. I don't mind autumn and yes there are some very good things about the season but it doesn't make me feel the way summer does. There are some good tips here though which I can hopefully put into practice when autumn arrives later this year.