Is your glass of spiced pumpkin latte half-empty or half-full?
We don’t have to be clinically diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder to feel apprehensive at the thought of being plunged into shorter days and endless evenings.
There are certain things we cannot control, such as the weather + news. How we deal with negative influences and our overriding attitude makes a difference. It’s perhaps more important than ever, for our mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing, to offer seasonal gratitude.
Today I want to share with you some tiny things that you can do this Autumn to romanticise this season and bring you all the vibes to ensure you don’t stop be-leafing in the goodness of life (lolz).
1. Carve out alone time
While I love getting cosy with my partner and excited to plan all the Autumnal things with friends, this is the time to embrace your own company. Main character energy—whatever you call it, create space to get to know yourself a little better this season.
2. Light an Autumn scented candle
Getting a festive candle is such a simple yet beautiful way to get into the spirit of the season. Anything cinnamon, pumpkin, sandalwood, or apple scented are recommended for this season.
3. Get involved in some Autumnal crafting
Find your flow state and unleash your creativity in some seasonal crafting. Here are some ideas below:
a) Dip leaves into wax and make a garland. Melt some soy/paraffin/beeswax on the hob. Dip some colourful leaves into the wax and hang the leaves from a string (over some newspaper) and let it dry. String the leaves together to make a colourful garland.
b) Make a dried orange and grapefruit garland. Slice oranges/grapefruit ¼” thick using a sharp serrated knife and pat slices dry with paper towel. Place in a single player on a baking sheet and bake for roughly 2.5 hours. Flip the slices over after about an hour. Leave to dry and then use scissors to poke 2 holes in the oranges about ½” apart on the orange/grapefruit slices. Thread oranges onto twine. It’s helpful to wrap the twine end with a piece of sellotape to prevent unravelling.
4. Have a self-care day in cosy PJs
Put on a hydrating face mask, use some body oils or a scrub, take a bubble bath, journal, meditate, watch your favourite movies. Truly take some time to focus on yourself and the things that make you feel your best. It might help to actually plan this day into your schedule on your calendar - so you are more likely to stick to it.
5. Go to a coffee shop and treat yourself to a seasonal hot drink
Hot drinks are another seasonal lifesaver. In autumn, my tea palette shifts from fresh herbs to spice-based brews. Making your own with cardamom, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and ginger is more satisfying. You can also settle for a day of work at the coffee shop instead of working from home for a change of scenery. Hot chocolate is also a nourishing and comforting indulgence during this time of year.
6. Decorate your home - low budget style babes
If you also don’t have a ton to spend, visit places like charity shops or get creative with DIY with nature you find outside like leaves, sticks, conkers, branches etc. Here are some ideas to decorate with:
Fairy lights
Candles
Pumpkins
Autumn Leaves
Dried oranges/grapefruit/cranberries
Conkers
7. Listen to the rain and read/watch some scary tv shows/movies
Ok, confession time: I live for the spooky season. I can spend hours looking for spooky books to read/tv shows to watch etc. If horror isn’t your thing, you can indulge in some light spooky stuff like Hocus Pocus, Halloweentown, Practical Magic etc. Cosy murder mysteries are also a nice way to participate in Halloween vibes without the scares.
8. Invite some friends over for pumpkin carving and board games
When it's too rainy or cold to go out, there's no better time to indulge in a good crafting session/board game with friends and family. Grab a cosy drink or order some pizza and whip out a game of Monopoly/Clue for the ultimate cosy night in.
9. Wrap up warm and take a walk in nature
Feel the leaves crunch underneath your feet, no better way to welcome in Autumn. It’s one of the privileges of autumn and winter, as are the awe-inspiring canopies of changing leaves, extraordinary cold weather skies and warm/cosy layers of knitwear.
10. Do Nothing Finally, let's not forget how nice it is sometimes to just do nothing. It's one of those things that is so underrated especially in a society where being busy is glamorised and glorified. This season goes by so quickly and before you know it Christmas will be here! So take these next few weeks to slow down and enjoy the simplicity of a day without plans.
11. Read your heart out.
Maybe it’s the back-to-school season or simply the inclination to spend all day cuddled up under a blanket, but no season makes me want to plow through my reading list faster than Autumn . Get inspired with all the new releases and make progress on your TBR.
Wishing you a wonderfully cosy and enjoyable season ahead.
Tash x