Autumn: The Season of Reflection

Autumn is my favourite season of the year, this may be an unpopular view as many associate it with shorter days and colder weather. It has only been in the last few years that I have truly understood why - there is a subtle shift in the natural world. It invites us to slow down, to breathe and reflect on where we are and suggest we 'take stock' to ensure we have what we need for the days, weeks and months ahead.

Here are some of the reason why I love this time of year;

Letting Go

Change occurs in nature, the most obvious is trees and various foliage as they take on new colours and appearances by shedding their fruit, seeds and leaves. Some may find this saddening as they litter the ground however, I have always found it to have an element of liberation as you can witness them letting go of what not longer serves them. This encourages us as people to do the same - whether it be outdated beliefs, worn-out routines, or relationships/practices that feel out of rhythm.

Preparing to Nest/Hibernate

As the weather starts to become cooler, animals and humans have an instinctive feeling to nest and make preparations. Along with this comes a craving for warmth and comfort. The feelings of warm drinks, comfortable clothes and soft blankets can serve as reminders that emotional resilience is built not through constant motion, but through intentional rest and reflection. As someone who loves to craft with yarn, there is nothing more peaceful for me, than crocheting a blanket and having it draped over me.

Taking stock

Autumn can be a time of harvest - where the things we have nurtured comes to fruition and crops are collected. This can inherently make us feel accomplished or disappointed depending on how 'good' the return has been. It can also prompt us to review the decisions and actions taken earlier in the year, but also how much we have learned by going through the experience of nurturing the crop. I find it a good time to revisit practicing gratitude for both the joy and the valuable lessons learned.

Embracing Change

As the light fades and the nights become longer, there is a feeling of resistance. Everyone is aware that summer has ended and winter is on the way, it can feel uncomfortable and disorientating as we start to see the transformation of foggy mornings and golden dusks. This leads to some uncertainty as you need to plan and prepare to take weather appropriate accessories when you go outside. It seems to inspire me to want to journal and write about my feelings, being kind to myself as clearly I am going through a change.

Finally, whether you like autumn or not, it is a season of reflection and slow transformation. It is a great opportunity to provide yourself with the emotional permission to be tender with ourselves—to rest, reflect, and ready our hearts for what’s next.