How to have a Lovely Autumn

What’s your favourite season?

I’ll admit I find it hard to pick just one, but I’d have to say autumn (or fall depending upon where you are) rates pretty highly for me.

There’s just something about the sights, and the smells and the feel of autumn. The changing colours of the leaves, the smell of woodsmoke, and the feel of crisp air on my face, with a warm, snuggly scarf wrapped around my neck. There are so many great things about autumn.

Do you feel that same, or do you feel slightly melancholy as autumn approaches?

I completely understand how the first signs of autumn approaching may not be so appealing to everyone. How you may not want to say goodbye to the lazy days of summer.

There’s the dread of dark mornings and dark evenings fast approaching. The start of colder, wilder weather and the promise of potentially worse weather to come.

Like it or not though, autumn is here, and I plan to make the most of it.

The way I see it life is more fun when you embrace the positives of each season rather than rail against the things you can’t change (like the weather!).

Somehow it just feels better to head into to each season looking forward to its uniqueness. And when it comes to Autumn, I’m with Anne …

I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.
― L. M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

Here are 5 reasons to love Autumn

1. Outdoor gorgeousness

It’s great to get outside at any time, but I think Autumn days can be some of the most spectacular of the year.

Beautiful brown, gold, red and green foliage contrasted against a deep blue sky. Leaves swirling and falling around you as the breeze blows, then crunching underfoot.

Go for a walk and tune into your senses – what can you see, smell, hear?

You don’t need to go for a massive hike (though if you’re up for it, yeah why not!). Just a short walk around the block or through the park will do wonders for your spirit.

Follow up your walk with coffee, tea or hot chocolate, and, if it’s your thing, cake (Me?…Cake is definitely my thing!). A hot drink and something sweet taste all the better for having been out in the fresh air.

2. Indoor coziness

You’ve probably heard that great Norwegian saying “There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing” (if you say it in Norwegian it rhymes “Det fins ikke dårlig vær, bare dårlige klær” – I won’t even pretend I can speak Norwegian though…).

While for the most part, I believe this is true, (and have embraced it with a fabulous collection of hard-core, Scandi-brand jackets, merino thermals, base layers, scarves, hats, gloves, and boots) sometimes the weather is just really, really bad. At those times there is nothing better than getting cosy inside.

And let’s face it, sometimes it’s just nice to be indoors.

Here are some ideas to get cosy indoors:

Snuggle up with a blanket and watch a film or episode of your favourite series.
Get cracking on the book you’re reading, or start reading that book you’ve been meaning to get to for ages…(reading a good book is my absolute favourite thing to do at anytime of year, but snuggled in a cozy blanket makes it feel extra-special)
Light candles
Play cards, or a board game, or do a jigsaw puzzle
Get baking – fill your house with wondering baking smells – bread, cake, cookies, brownies, muffins…yummm
Invite friends round for coffee and cake, or a casual meal – such as a potluck

3. Hygge

The Danish word “hygge” has taken the world by storm over the last few years. Wherever we are in the world though, I believe it’s a concept that most of us know instinctively is good for the soul, whether we use the word ‘hygge’ or not.

So what exactly IS hygge?

It’s a feeling. An atmosphere. An experience. It’s a sense of home and cosiness, safety and belonging.

I love the fact that the concept of hygge has become so popular nowadays (just type the word ‘hygge’ into Google, or Amazon, and see how many results come up!).

To me, this is a great thing, because embracing hygge will make you feel good. It will help you relax. It’ll help you connect with others. It’ll help you appreciate simple things. Ultimately, it’ll help you feel happier.

While you can (and should!) embrace hygge all year round, autumn is the perfect time to really celebrate it. All my favourite autumn activities above (involving both getting wrapped up and getting outside, and getting cosy inside) are perfect ways to feel hygge.

A sure-fire way to feel hygge in the autumn is to tune into all your five senses:

Sight:

the changing colours of autumn foliage
the golden light of the sunset
flickering candlelight

Taste:

warm comfort food (soups, stews, pies)
your favourite cake or cookie
hot chocolate

Smell:

baking
cooking
freshly brewed coffee
woodsmoke

Sound:

wind rustling the trees
rain falling on the roof or lashing against the windows
the crunching of leaves underfoot
crackling fires

Feel:

crisp air on your face
cozy woollen sweaters and scarfs
snuggly throw rugs and blankets
the warmth from the fireplace
slipping your hands into cozy gloves or mittens

4. The Festive Season is approaching

Autumn means that the festive season is just around the corner!

Whether you celebrate Halloween, Diwali, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hogmanay, or New Year, there is lots of great fun, food and togetherness to look forward to in the coming weeks and months.

If you’re in the northern hemisphere autumn is a great time to start thinking about your holiday celebrations.

How will you decorate this year?
What will you eat?
Will you go to, or host, any parties?
What gifts will you purchase?
What gifts do you hope to receive?
Will you be travelling anywhere?
Will you be meeting up with friends or family?

Planning is a great way to get in the mood for the upcoming holidays. In autumn it feels as though there is enough time to put together a great plan, but you don’t feel you are in the midst of holiday madness and stress just yet (or is that just me?)

5. The fresh-start feeling

September is often called the other January.

This time of year can generate a wonderful fresh-start or clean-slate feeling as we mark the end of summer by turning our attention to getting back to, or creating, positive habits and routines. It’s that new notebook and fresh pencils ‘back-to-school’ type of feeling.

At this time of year, we are more likely to be feeling optimistic and positive (rather than exhausted or depleted after the festive season) – the perfect state of mind for creating positive changes in our lives!

By getting a head start on our resolutions we can sail into January feeling happier and healthier, with our good habits already established.