Whispers of Autumn

"Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower" – Albert Camus

All photos © The Autumn Chronicles

Welcome to The Autumn Chronicles, a place to shine a light on all the wonder around us as we navigate the seasons. I hope these writings allow you to sit quietly with a cup of something warm and comforting and take a few moments for yourself away from the rush and hurry. If you would like to make sure you get all newsletters directly to your inbox, please subscribe below. Thank you for being here.

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The golden light of summer is waning as we arrive amidst the burnished beauty of autumn in the northern hemisphere. We are entering a liminal, transitional period, which focuses on drawing inward, on holding space for replenishment and which encourages us to evaluate what we are most in need of at this stage of the year. This time is for anchoring ourselves in the season, settling into this in-between time and putting down roots to sustain us through the colder, darker months to come.

There is an unmistakable chill in the air now when I venture downstairs to make my morning coffee, heralding the next rotation of the seasons. Although astronomical autumn doesn’t officially begin until the autumnal equinox (which falls on 22nd September this year), there is already a sense of anticipation - and change - in the air. Much like Persephone preparing to return to the Underworld in the myths of Ancient Greece, how we prepare now for this period of slowing down allows us to let go of what no longer serves us and find the balance necessary to take us through the chill of winter ready for a spring full of hope and renewal.

Alongside the arrival of autumn, a sense of possibility blows in on the wind. Like a tree shedding its leaves to make room for new growth, over the past 18 months I have noticed a slowing down in my life, a desire to be intentional in all the things I do. I have become tired (literally and figuratively) of running around, doing everything at top speed and taking on more than I can reasonably cope with. Autumn is a time for slowness, where we allow ourselves to become fully immersed in our experiences and enjoy them for what they are without trying to impose on them what we believe they should be. As a recovering perfectionist, this is always a challenge for me and goes against everything I have believed I need to live a ‘successful’ life.

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A Manifesto of Sorts

Taking the time to reflect over long, lazy summer days has allowed me to think about the things I need to make me truly happy and which allow me to live a life that is in keeping with the values I hold. My job is often busy and can be stressful so, in my spare time, it is important to me to restore the energy I expend, nurture the parts of me that require care and attention, and find a counterpoint to feel like I am experiencing all the richness and variety life has to offer in the midst of all my obligations. As the leaves start to turn and the nights lengthen, my thoughts are becoming concave. As we enter the denouement of the year, here are some ways I will be trying to slow down and make the most of the season:

Practising intentionality

We are all guilty of doing things because we feel we should, rather than because we really want to do them. As part of a commitment to living a life more in line with your values, changing our focus to be more intentional in the choices we make, to think them through rather than making snap decisions on autopilot, or taking the path of least resistance because we are too drained to do anything else, is really important. Part of being intentional is also making more of an effort to be present in the moment, enjoying something for exactly what it is. It often seems to me that it is the spontaneous, adventurous things in my life that I enjoy most, rather than the things that have cost me months of meticulous planning.

Spending time outside

Although autumn and winter weather in the UK can make it difficult to spend a lot of time outdoors, focusing on finding small pockets of time, amidst the raindrops and frost, to prioritise getting outside and really noticing the transitions of the seasons is a great way to slow down as the year turns. Walking is good for body and soul - in the woods, along city streets, on day trips to the countryside or by the sea. When I walk, I immediately feel my anxiety lessen, my stress reduce and my creativity soar, never mind the additional dose of Vitamin D that is vital in the darker months. Standing among the trees with one hand over my heart and one hand on my diaphragm, feeling my lungs expand as I breathe in deeply, is where I intend to spend a lot more of my time as autumn draws ever closer.

Prioritising health

To truly align with slowing down and taking better care of ourselves, it is helpful to shift our focus to be on implementing a consistent routine that encompasses nutritious food, more movement, gratitude, better quality sleep and less stress. As someone who sits at a desk for hours each week without taking proper breaks, I find that my body doesn’t bounce back in the way it used to. Focusing time on rituals rather than routines, and being present in the moment rather than trying to hurry through what I need to accomplish, makes what could be a mundane series of steps something special that underpins my daily life and enables me to restore balance when I feel like things are out of kilter.

Seeking connection

As paths diverge and life gets busier, it can be difficult to maintain the friendships you had in your earlier years. As the year slows its pace, we can focus on nourishing the relationships with the people that are most important to us. Your friends are the family you choose for yourself and I am so lucky to have some truly remarkable people in my life. Being someone who values fewer, deeper relationships over many superficial ones, I hope that a slower life will allow me to prioritise, and give more time to, the people closest to me, fostering connections that will last for years to come.

Living seasonally

Living seasonally has always been enticing, especially in relation to food; planning menus that offer a platform to ingredients that are at their best at a specific time makes the ordinary special, marking the year in a noteworthy way. A key part of seasonal living is being connected to the world around you and relishing the glimmers that can be found in each chapter. For me, living in accordance with the seasons looks like creating new traditions that can be returned to again and again to mark the passing of time and make a ritual out of the everyday. Most of all, it is being aware of the bigger picture and using it to stay grounded in the present, enjoying and being grateful for everything you have in that one fleeting moment.

Making time for joy

Living life in a constant state of vigilance is emotionally and physically exhausting. In many ways, it is a protective measure; if you always fear the worst, you can never be hurt or disappointed. Remembering what is important by opening up small chinks of light that allow joy to filter through and making sure to prioritise things that forge a foundation of happiness help to regulate our nervous systems. This then allows us to truly experience all the joy on offer in the slow, still moments, nourishing and replenishing us in turn.

I’d love to know: what are your intentions as we come into autumn?

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