Celebrating the Seasons – Autumn

Welcome to Autumn. I love the turning of the seasons. Love marking them out, celebrating them, noticing and rejoicing in them and what each one brings to us. Autumn is perfect for slowing down, resting, like much of nature does around us at this time of year. I’ll often set goals for a season that I think fit in perfectly with it’s particular time of year. A perfect little 3 month soundbite of a goal to achieve while appreciating the season that is happening around me. Roll on Autumn.

I’d love to celebrate the season with you, my online community, but in the global platform of the internet and the travel many of us do, often we’re in opposite seasons or even flying from one season into a completely different one. Here in Australia where I am currently, it’s Autumn while other parts of my family and friends are heading into Spring in different parts of the world. I don’t want us to miss the opportunity to make the most of the season we’re all currently in though. Nothing quite marks out the year like it. What we can do, is celebrate what’s happening in our own part of the world and to that end I thought I’d create a set of posts to cover them all and we can all tap into whichever one we are in for inspiration or ideas. Appreciating the season you are in – wherever you happen to be at the time.

I have always seen the seasons in 2 different veins. Spring and Summer full of growth and renewal. Vibrant. Energetic. Light filled. Autumn and Winter signalling a time of rest and recovery. Down time. Shorter days and longer nights. Comfort. Ease. How I structure my goals and days in those seasons reflects that. If you have yearly goals this is the perfect way to split those up into the season that fits that perfectly if they’re not year long projects. For Eg Want to try out a new sport, hobby. Is it indoors/outdoors? Seasonal? and if not would it be better to try in hot or cool weather. Want to put all those photos in albums, clean out the cupboards. Craft. Entertain. Depending on what type of thing you had in mind. Some things are year round events but for some, the stuff I love best, there really is a season it fits into better.

Here’s some ideas for you to try and what I love and you’ll often find me doing in Autumn specifically. Firstly the cooling weather is delightful. The leaves turning. Kicking through, raking & composting fallen leaves (I find the repetitive slow action of raking, meditative) Gardens and animals preparing to hibernate. A slowing down of the frenetic energy and long days of Summer. Shorter days. The promise of snuggly rugs and jumpers soon to come. When I’m in Australia – I love being in the outdoors more. Long slow walks in nature or on the beach. Summer often see’s me in the shade because of my super pale skin so I love being in the sun more at this time of year knowing there’s much less chance of sunburn. Planning my goals for the cooler weather that’s coming and which often includes some sort of downsizing project. Cold weather food I want to try making, craft I’d like to try or a catch up project left over from Spring/Summer that I didn’t get to and is perfect for slow nights at home. Earlier nights. Heartier cool weather comfort food. Mash potatoes. Casseroles. Gravy. Hot Chocolate. Pajamas. More clothes and more clothing choices (Summer in Australia you’re going to want to spend as close to being naked as you can get away with while still be socially appropriate) Warm baths. Nourishing skin creams. Bulb flowers. Restaurant and Cafe dates with friends tucked away in cozy corners. Business, home renovations, adventures or holiday planning for future dates or warmer seasons. Tucked up on a lounge reading. Communal jigsaw puzzles left out for anyone to have a go at who walks through our doors. Movie nights at home. Long drives in the country. Learning a new skill or hobby.

Also you can visit here for the visual feast / vision board version of Celebrating Autumn. I’d love to invite a bunch of people over to try the slow cooker hot chocolate and apple pie tucked away on that board for starters. How about you guys. Start with some of the above, on the pinterest board or try your own. I’d love to hear what you’re all doing and planning. Share your ideas below with the community.