Autumn (without the fall)

Falling leaves. Darker nights. Colder mornings.

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Autumn used to hit me hard. It’s a time of year I have always struggled with. I blamed it on being a ‘summer baby’.

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Born in June = thriving in the sun.

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But maybe it’s less about birthdays and more about being an outdoors person. Summer gives me light, time and the warmth to do what I love. An extensive period of fun and adventures.

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I remember a morning back in April where, given the unbelievable temperatures we had, I was ecstatic to be wearing shorts to work. This soon transpired into what felt like an endless summer.

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And I lived every minute.

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But, as expected, with the highs come the inevitable lows. Except, this time, I’m learning how to accept and embrace the comedown from summer. I’m learning to lean into the shift.

To ride the wave.

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I’m not saying that I’ll be joining the ‘cosy club’ just yet. Or that I will be jumping up and down at the thought of ‘spooky season’. But I am learning to accept and go with things – to appreciate the pause.

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Autumn isn’t the end. It’s the reset. Trees let go of their leaves to survive. Squirrels stash to prepare. And I’m using this time of year to embrace some needed downtime (as well as starting the side projects I planned for ‘when I have time’).

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Instead of thinking about everything I can no longer do now summer is over, I’m focusing on everything I can do!

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Converting my van. Getting better at knitting. Planning trips for the year ahead.

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Sure, it’s not a BBQ at sunset – but those days will return! And when they do, they’ll have been worth the wait.

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And so, whilst I’m not thrilled about the idea of having to put 4 layers on when I step out the door, what I am doing is accepting the inevitable cycle of the seasons – and of life.

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We all have busy times. Fun times. Stressful moments and periods where we aren’t anything other than bored.

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But what we can do (something that all any of us can ever really do) is the best we can, with what we have.

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And if all else fails…

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…it’s November soon which means it’s perfectly acceptable to listen to Michael Buble on the way to work.

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Happy Autumn x