10 Things That Bring Me Joy in Autumn
Autumn is the favourite season for many, here are some things that bring me joy at this time of year
After a week away trying to relax in the sun in Tenerife for the husband’s birthday (it didn’t quite work out as expected, but that’s another post) and then another week recovering from the cold that I came down with after I got back, plus the fact that until recently it has been unseasonably warm in the UK, I haven’t felt like autumning much. But on Saturday, I jumped out of bed excited to start embracing my favourite season!
What is it that I love about autumn compared to any other season? It’s hard to explain. It’s not that everything becomes about pumpkin spice (I’m not a fan honestly.) or that I can start wearing chunky woollen sweaters and boots again (although I love a good sweater, jeans and boots combo). It’s deeper than that.
As an introvert and INFJ, autumn just feels like it plays to my strengths. It’s a slower time, a time to go inward and process, it’s preparation for the full hibernation of winter, and it feels like the world and life get a little bit quieter.
Every year during the first week of September, I anticipate autumn’s sweet, slow arrival. The light begins to change, leaves begin to turn, and the wildlife swaps shifts. The barn swallows leave for warmer climates, and we see more robins and pheasants; small rodents prepare for hibernation and stop trying to sneak into the house (I love living in the country, but nothing prepared me for that!). Living in the middle of flat farmland means the sunrise and sunsets become softer and more mystical, hidden behind mist and fog as its power weakens. The majority of the harvest is complete, and many of the fields are resting and quiet.
This year I have been craving autumn’s arrival more than ever; I’m not sure why, but I’ve needed it to get here because I want the excuse to hibernate and slow down. I need to process and cocoon ready for my reemergence in spring - again. That’s what I’m craving, and listening to what I need is something that I’m getting better at. So a quiet and contemplative autumn is what I plan to have.
I am so eager to get the autumn party started that I wanted to share 10 everyday things that bring me joy during my favourite season:
Switching to pyjamas and woollen bed socks - there is nothing more cosy and cocooning to me than padding around the house a couple of hours before the world wakes up in warm and comfy PJs and bed socks. Add a cup of coffee (or hot chocolate) and my journal or a book, and I’m in heaven!
Wrapping up and going for walks - going for long walks in the summer is just too hot, and if I’m wearing leggings and a T-shirt without a jacket, then I have no pockets for my keys, phone and tissues! Totally impractical! Enter autumn, where you can wrap up and wear a jacket with pockets! The cooler air just feels more pleasant and refreshing to breathe in; the light is subtler and more comfortable, and getting back home and into the warm feels amazing too.
Starting and ending the day by switching all the lamps on - my mum used to call me the ‘lamp fairy’ when I was growing up because, during autumn and winter, I couldn’t wait to get the lamps turned on. If you have ever read anything about Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”), a Danish word that means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people, you’ll know how important lighting is to create that cosy and comfortable feeling. I love starting the day and the evening by turning the lamps and fire on to create that perfect cosy feeling.
An early morning cup of hot chocolate - this is a recent thing. I’ve been getting up earlier as the husband leaves for work at 6 a.m. and it just feels a bit too early for coffee, so I’ve been trying hot chocolate and snuggling on the sofa with my journal or a book. It’s the perfect combination!
Reading Wintering by
- if you haven’t read ‘Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times’, you need to. This has become one of my annual reads. It leads you so gently into this season of introspection and holds you steady through winter and into spring. This morning I have taken this gem off my bookshelf to start my period of autumning and wintering again.Foggy days - the husband is not a fan of the fog that descends over the fields and fens surrounding our home, but he has to drive in it much more than I do. I can sit at home and look out the window to see that the world has disappeared and feel like it’s just me and my thoughts; I feel cocooned when the fog appears. It’s also an indicator that later in the day, we will be treated to one of those perfect autumn days with clear blue skies - perfect to venture out for a walk. Many people find thick fog cold and uninviting, but I love it.
Reading a book snuggled under a blanket - I’m a big reader most of the year, but in autumn and winter, it goes into overdrive. I move from summer fiction and deep non-fiction topics to lighter, more spiritual and mythical reads.
Putting the winter duvet back on the bed - I think this is a negotiation in most relationships as one partner always seems to be cold (me), and the other is a human radiator (the husband), so the thickness of the duvet on the bed is a delicate balance. This year I am considering compromising with a weighted blanket (do they keep you warm too, do you know?) or an additional single duvet so that my side of the bed is toasty warm and I can snuggle under the extra weight while the husband stays nice and cool on his side.
Watching pheasants strut around the garden - they are brash and noisy, but I love seeing them strut around the garden. They are lovely to look at.
Photo by Michael Hoyt on Unsplash The return of comfort food - after a season of BBQs and salads and not a roast potato or Sunday roast in sight, I am ready for the return of hearty autumn and winter fare. On Saturday, I made a lasagne from scratch, and it was amazing - I love cooking in the colder seasons much more than I do in the warmer ones.
I would love to know what your favourite season is and why. If it’s autumn, is there anything you would add to this list?
I think I love all seasons equally. I lived for many years in Dubai and the thing I missed the most was the change of seasons. That rhythm. I smiled at your "lamp fairy" comment. My husband, who is Danish, is our lamp fairy and the in charge with the hygge. We don't even have overhead lights. For the nice part of the year we live in the country in Denmark and I identifie with so many things you mentioned. Now I wonder where all our pheasants went? I haven't heard or seen them much this year. I just purchased Wintering on Audible, excited to 'read' it. I love reading a physical book, but due to our nomadic lifestyle, Audible is so convenient. I love listening to books while going on walks. Thank for this beautiful piece, I'm learning to slow down and just be, and autumn is the perfect season for that.
I'm loving Autumn this year as well Claire and love the list you've got here. I love a blanket and hot chocolate combo and a good book. It's a long time since I've done Myers Briggs, but I think I might be the same!