Autumn Leaves: When Days Dim and Stories Deepen

Even though I love autumn, I do find it more challenging to feel as good as I do during spring and summer. I've become aware of my sensitivity to the natural daylight, the endorphins, and serotonin it gifts us. With the waning sun of autumn, I've learned to seek those happiness hormones in different ways.

This year, I decided to really embrace autumn as soon as the days started getting shorter. Living in the city, I used to feel sad when summer ended. It felt like a sudden parting, leaving me unprepared for the impending arrival of dark, wet days. Yet, my perspective shifted during my stay in the woods. A profound change occurred—instead of mourning the seasonal shift, I stood in awe of autumn's intrinsic beauty.

Autumn in the woods vs the city

I would go outside (with my camera) as much as I could. I loved the change of colors, the smell of wet trees, and the crispy sound of the fallen leaves as I walked through the forest. I saw the abundance of nature, I noticed squirrels stockpiling acorns, making sure they had enough stock for the whole winter, I was surprised how the sky became so vibrant, with colors seemly singing to my soul. It felt magical. From then on, I decided I would welcome and enjoy autumn every year.

Since I’m living back in the city with a small backyard, and high buildings, I don’t get to see those magical sceneries I saw in the woods.

Undeterred, I decided to infuse my surroundings with the same magic.

This autumn, my desired feelings include wanderlust, coziness, a gentle slowing down, and the acceptance of letting go.

I delved into workshops to learn the art of crochet, adorned my living space with blankets and carpets, and embraced the warm glow of woodfire candles throughout the day. Experimenting with heartwarming recipes, connecting with family, reintroducing yoga and meditation into my routine, biking to work, ensuring a daily dose of vitamin D, and taking evening walks half an hour before sunset became my deliberate rituals to soak in the pastel hues of the sky.

Embracing autumn

While it may not replicate the enchantment of the woods, I discovered that as long as I truly embrace this season, there are always new things to appreciate—things that I didn’t notice in the past. The aroma of fresh soup in our small local lunch bar, the surprising coziness of familiar places, and, despite my fear of spiders, an appreciation for the ingenuity of spiders' webs.

And now, with ‘'Autumn Leaves' playing on my recorder, I pen these concluding thoughts, eagerly anticipating the pages of 'Big Magic' by Elizabeth Gilbert, surrounded by the flickering warmth of candlelight, with my dog peacefully asleep by my side. In these moments, I find a harmonious symphony of autumn's grace, a melody that resonates with the quiet magic of embracing the present.