22 comforting, joyful things about Autumn (for when you’re feeling wobbly about the seasons changing)
As with every year, the seasons come, and the seasons go. After a long and gloriously sunny few months here in the UK, Autumn is on its way. In fact, as I write this during the last week of August, the leaves have already started falling, the shops are filled with pumpkin and ghost-themed decor, and the evenings are starting to draw in.
Do you struggle with the change from season to season? Does it make you feel unsettled? If so, you are very much not alone in feeling this way.
Here in the UK, the transition from Summer to Autumn doesn’t tend to feel too dramatic. However this year, we’ve actually had a Summer. A proper, sunny Summer. Which means the changing of the seasons feels more marked, instead of just one grey drizzly season merging into another grey drizzly season. It’s totally normal to feel sad about the end of one season, and apprehensive about the start of a new season.
Today, I’m going to be celebrating all the wonderful things about Autumn, in the hope it helps you feel better about this seasonal change, and makes your transition from Summer to Autumn a calm and joyful one.
And why does this matter to me? I love helping people connect, and feel seen. I run a small greeting card business in Cheltenham called Jess A Little Creative, specialising in sweet and thoughtful cards designed to help people stop doomscrolling, and connect in a more meaningful way with their loved ones. After feeling wobbly about the changing seasons myself, I wanted to write something that might help anyone else feeling the same way.
So let’s embrace this change in seasons together. Slowly, gently, and with playful curiosity. Let’s put our fears of change to the side, and take a moment to celebrate all the comforting and joyful things about Autumn we have to look forward to.
1. Back to school, fresh start energy
Where better to start than here. The beginning of September always comes with serious back to school energy. The nostalgia and memories of buying a new pencil case, that first fresh page in an exercise book where your handwriting temporarily becomes immaculate (only to return to its usual messy scrawl by the second page), and those fresh new pens in a beautiful array of colours. Whether you enjoyed school or not, that new stationery was always a dream, wasn’t it?
There is something about the start of Autumn that feels the same, a chance for a fresh start. I don’t mean an opportunity to set goals and put yet more pressure on yourself (there’s enough of that in January). But a chance to go gently, take stock, and make some changes if anything has gone slightly wonky over the course of the year.
Use this as a chance to leave anything behind that you don’t need, and start afresh with renewed energy.
2. The fluffiest, cosiest jumpers and scarves
Autumn is the perfect time to layer up and get cosy in your favourite oversized jumpers, scarves and fluffy socks. Comfort at its best.
3. A comforting mug of your favourite hot drink
Autumn is also the time to swap those iced beverages for something a little warmer. I’m not a coffee drinker myself, but I do love hot chocolate. Whether you indulge in one with all the trimmings from your favourite local cafe, or make one at home to enjoy curled up in front of a movie, it is the perfect Autumn treat.
4. The glorious rainbow of Autumn colours
I might go as far as to say this is my favourite thing about Autumn. The colours are simply spectacular. Everything seems to come alive in dazzling shades of red, brown and gold. It is truly breathtaking. Westonbirt Arboretum is one of my favourite places to visit to soak up the Autumn colours, I’d highly recommend it if you’re local. Or maybe you can find an alternative in your area. But even just a visit to your local park becomes something rather more magical once the trees put on their Autumn show.
5. Crisp, beautiful walks
Autumn is the ideal time for an adventure. Put on your walking boots, wrap up in your favourite scarf, and reconnect with nature and all it has to offer during this magical time of year.
6. Your favourite TV is back
We all have our Autumn favourites, don’t we? I’m personally always counting down to the start of Strictly Come Dancing, The Great British Bake Off, and this year I’m also looking forward to Celebrity Traitors. This time of year often brings lots of new television series, as well as the return of some old favourites, so embrace getting cosy and curling up with some comforting TV.
7. The gentle and comforting glow of candlelight
One of my favourite Autumn rituals is lighting a candle or two in the living room once I finish work. It signals the end of the working day, and the start of a relaxing and cosy evening. It creates such a soft and gentle light in the room, not to mention the lovely fragrance.
8. Less social plans
Depending on whether you identify as more of an introvert or an extrovert, this could be seen as a good thing, or a bad thing. But as an introvert myself, I quite like the slower, more intentional social calendar that Autumn brings. Summer is always a delightful whirlwind of barbecues, weddings, picnics and catch ups, which is lovely, but I do find myself needing some quieter time in Autumn to catch my breath and recharge.
9. A hearty stew or comforting bowl of soup
After a Summer of delicious salads, it’s now time to dust off the slow cooker and embrace the warm, comforting, nourishing meals of Autumn. It’s easy to jam-pack a tonne of vegetables into soups and stews, a great way to give your body all the key nutrients it needs this Autumn.
10. Permission to slow down
Shorter days and cooler weather gives us all the perfect opportunity to slow down a little, and take a breather. If you’re someone who tends to go slightly into hibernation mode during these months, enjoy. While it’s important to still stay connected, it’s the perfect time to enjoy things being a bit less frantic.
11. Time for relaxing hobbies like reading, journaling and crafting
Autumn is a great time to reconnect with the hobbies that may have gotten a little bit neglected during the hustle and bustle of Summer. Are you an avid reader? Maybe you like journaling? You could even use these cosier days to teach yourself a new craft like knitting or cross stitch.
12. A chance for slower, more meaningful connection
While Summer is often spent on holiday with friends and family, or on days trips with loved ones or neighbours, Autumn is a slower time, perfect for a different kind of connection. You could write a letter to a friend who lives far away, or send a card to someone you haven’t yet had a chance to catch up with this year (do check out all the thoughtful cards in my own online shop). The shorter, cooler days don’t have to mean isolation or loneliness.
13. A cosy pub with a crackling fire
Nothing beats the sound of a crackling fire. Why not spend one Sunday this Autumn curled up in front of the fire in a local country pub?
14. A glass of red wine
Need I say more?
15. Toasting marshmallows
Whether you’re standing around a bonfire, or DIY-ing it at home, there is nothing quite like the hot, toasty, melty flavour of a toasted marshmallow. A fun way to spend an Autumn evening.
16. Lamps and soft, cosy lighting
The darker, shorter days are my least favourite thing about Autumn. I like as much daylight as possible! But, I do also love the cosy light created by lamps. Paired with some of the candles I mentioned earlier, it is possible to create really soft, gentle lighting in your home during Autumn, to create a wonderfully relaxing and nurturing environment.
17. Curling up under a blanket
Honestly, I don’t need Autumn as an excuse for this. You will find me curled up under a blanket pretty much all year round, I just love the comfort of it. But Autumn is a great time to embrace this cosiness.
18. A wholesome wander around a Farmers Market or Craft Market
A relaxed wander around a market is infinitely better than battling with the crowds in a busy shopping centre, and there are always lots of wonderful markets during Autumn. Visit one in your local area and enjoy some local produce and local crafts from brilliant independent businesses.
19. The countdown to Christmas
While I try not to think too much about Christmas until after Halloween, the prospect of Christmas movies, seasonal treats and all the other Christmas magic that comes at this festive time of year is wonderful.
20. Everything just looks prettier
With the darker evenings, everything takes on a magical feel. Fairy lights twinkle, crisp golden leaves fall to the ground like confetti, and there is a lovely atmosphere in the air to soak up and be part of.
21. A cosy afternoon baking your favourite treats
Whether you’re a fan of The Great British Bake Off or not, Autumn is a wonderful time to get out those baking trays, and make some lovely treats. Another wholesome, relaxing activity you can enjoy while curled up in your cosy home.
22. Harry Potter marathon anyone?
Autumn is the perfect time to rewatch your favourite movie franchises. It just doesn’t feel quite the same watching Harry Potter in July does it… Curl up, and escape to your favourite fictional worlds with a cosy movie afternoon or evening.
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Now I don’t know about you, but after writing this, I’m actually feeling pretty excited about Autumn. Reminding myself of all the gentle, joyful moments it can contain has been highly therapeutic, and made me curious about all the lovely things that are to come. I hope it has given you some comfort and joy at the thought of the changing seasons too.
This seems like an opportune moment to practice gratitude for a lovely Summer. Send it love and thanks for all it contained, and make peace with moving on. As time always does. It’s a new season, a fresh start, another chance to soak up moments of fun, connection and joy.
I am wishing you the most wonderful Autumn, spent doing all your favourite Autumnal activities. I’d love to hear what you get up to so please do get in touch. And if you have any other great things about Autumn that you think just have to be included in this list, I’d love to hear about them. You can get in touch here.
If you’d like to hear more about my greeting card business, please join my mailing list (I’m not on social media so it’s the best way to stay up-to-date!)
Let’s reconvene in about 3 months when we’re having a crisis about Autumn being over and Winter beginning?! (Only half joking…)
Sending you lots of love,
Jess x
