Cosy sweaters, apple crumble, misty mornings, leaf-strewn walks and giant mugs of steaming tea. It feels like we fall in love with autumn a little deeper every year – at least that’s what my Instagram feed tells me.
But, as we take our first steps into the new season, the transition from summer can often be a bumpy ride. Autumn throws open the door to winter – and whether we like it or not, change is afoot.
For some of us, the drop in sunlight is hard to bear, and it’s completely normal to experience trepidation as the days grow shorter and the rain descends.
Whether you have already got Gilmore Girls on repeat and can’t wait for autumn’s arrival or you dread this time and really struggle with the onset of darker days – there are tons of simple things we can do to feel better about this seasonal shift.
So, let’s dig into it.
Welcoming Autumn Indoors
Scent
Autumn is a season that really delivers on the sensory front, especially when it comes to our sense of smell.
From spiced cinnamon to sweet apple and smoky bonfires, there are so many aromas to feast on. Scents can evoke vivid emotions and memories, creating a sense of comfort and nostalgia for the various autumns of our past.
Our sense of smell has a powerful effect on memory, even more so than visual stimuli. (Even the scent of the air on a rainy October day can bring back a strong childhood memory for me.)
The incredible capacity we have for aromas to trigger memory is potent and can be utilised for our own well-being. If we look at ways to harness our natural, emotional attachments to scents, we can use them to create positive feelings of warmth and ambience in our own homes.
Think about scents that make you feel warm, comforted or happy during this season and find ways to bring those aromas into your home.
- Essential Oil Diffusers: Use essential oils like cedarwood, cinnamon, clove, or bergamot to bring the essence of autumn indoors and create a soothing atmosphere.
- Baking: The aroma of freshly baked goods is guaranteed to dial up the feel-good vibes in any home and can instantly make your space feel cosy.
- Simmering Pots: Create a simple, natural room scent by simmering a pot of water with spices, herbs, and fruit on the stove.
- Naturally Scented Candles: Choose brands that use natural vegetable wax or beeswax, as they can effectively hold and throw the scent of essential oils. You can also layer different fragrances to create a custom scent profile that’s made just for you.
If you fancy a deeper dive into autumn scents – I have a blog post for you here.
Softness
Autumn is the season of change. Nature so beautifully and poetically demonstrates a basic lesson in life – sometimes we have no choice but to let go.
Even though the lesson is basic, it doesn’t mean it’s easy. So, as we try to get to grips with the onset of colder, darker days, i.e. prepare for change, we need a soft place to retreat to when it all feels too much.
Softness can be literal – a comfy sofa and soft blanket wrapped around you, a cosy cardigan that feels like a warm hug. It can also be metaphorical – a TV show or favourite book that transports you to a soft space of calm.
Think about what supports you – what do you need around you to help you find a soft place to land while you recharge and regroup. Then, create a simple list of ways to prepare your living space for these moments.
Warmth
As the temperature drops and the weather turns wetter, we naturally seek ways to add more warmth to our homes. Instead of just turning on the heating, try widening the parameters of what warmth means to you.
- Company – Some people naturally bring warmth with them, and we instantly feel at ease in their company. Who makes you feel all warm and fuzzy? Whether it’s family, good friends, lovely workmates, pets – or your favourite podcast – think about ways you can add warmth to your life via welcome company over the next few months.
- Food – Fill your home with the scents of delicious, soul-warming meals. Simmer a stew, bake some cookies, or make a warm cup of hot chocolate. The aromas alone can create a sense of comfort and relaxation.
- Lighting – While bright ambient lighting is necessary for certain tasks, softer mood lighting is essential for creating a cosy, welcoming atmosphere. Using warm lighting can boost visual interest and highlight the textures in a room, helping you transform it for the change in season.
- Textures – By layering soft and rich textures, you can add personality and dimension to a room, welcoming a more cosy feeling. Think soft throws, velvet cushions, or a fluffy rug to make your home feel like a tranquil, comforting retreat.
Welcoming Autumn Outdoors
Colours
Autumn is beloved for its beautiful colours, but did you know that colours can affect our mood and even our heart rate?
Research has shown that the vibrant colours of autumn can have a superior therapeutic effect, helping to relieve stress and evoke feelings of warmth, richness, and calm.
Observing and appreciating the changing hues of leaves from green to gold, orange, and red can be a deeply grounding experience as we settle into the season. Autumn’s kaleidoscope of colours can actually support our mood and energy levels as the golden hues appear in the landscape.
Sounds
Pay attention to the sounds of the season, a variety of unique nature sounds can be heard in the autumn months. A growing number of people find that listening to these natural sounds can really help with stress and anxiety.
Here is a list of nature sounds to listen out for in the autumn:
- The sound of the wind flowing through the woods, branches, and leaves, which can be both strong and calming.
- The crunching of leaves underfoot as you take a walk.
- The sound of a stream, a common feature in many nature recordings of the autumn season.
- The calls of various birds, the cacophony of geese is a notable autumn sound, as many species migrate during this time of year. Different calls can be identified with the help of an app such as Merlin Bird ID by the Cornell Lab, BirdNET, and Song Sleuth.
Water
As autumn takes hold, try to visit with water whenever you can. Sea, river, well or stream – water is strongly associated with autumn from a Celtic perspective due to its symbolism and connection to the season’s folklore.
For the Celts, water was revered as a symbol of both physical and spiritual purification, as well as a source of life. This aligns with the symbolic meaning of rain, which is seen as a means of purifying and strengthening the soul
As the element of water is associated with the season, finding ways to connect with it can help you feel in tune with nature’s rhythm and find balance and harmony as the days grow darker and colder.
As we cross this threshold and summer once again fades into autumn, remember that the season is more than just a fleeting phase to get through. It’s a potent time of preparation and change, so let’s show ourselves some extra patience and increased support as we traverse the inevitable ups and downs.
Taking the time to prepare our homes and our minds for the colder months can turn a difficult transition into a cosy and comforting experience, and through opening up our senses, whether by appreciating the colours or listening to the seasonal sounds, we can make this shift feel a little less challenging and a lot more joyous.
