Over the last couple of weeks I’ve been reading with interest in the news the effect the coming of Autumn has on some of us. For me it’s always been a bit of a hard time; I’m such a sun hunter that the prospect of six months of darkness, drizzle and shivering leaves me feeling a bit blah. I dread the quest to find tights that don’t fall down, boots that fit well, look good and are comfortable and woolly jumpers that I won’t shrink on the first wash.
In a nutshell it’s a rainy September 21st and in defiance my Birkinstocks and Havaianas are still proudly living by the front door and on my feet for the school run. My toes are blue.
I think the autumn effect has been multiplied by having school-aged children who also enter into a period of flux at this time. Last year it was Elfie starting school and Hux pre-school, this year she’s going into year one and beginning ballet lessons while both of them have started to learn how to swim (so far Hux HATES being wet and cold for a long half hour… the less we talk about that the better). Our routine has changed and we’ve had to adapt once again to get where we need to be on time and in one piece.
Without playing my own mini violin, it’s also a time that seems to make me feel a bit lonely at my single status. It’s harder to get out of the house in the evenings to see friends so there’s more Netflix, more cosy nights in, more meals for one. Boohooh ;)
But this season I’ve been trying to be a bit more zen about the whole thing. I did a bit of work with a now-age website last month and a lot of the lessons have stayed with me.
Since my divorce I’ve been into the idea of living life on a ‘higher vibration’ and paying more attention to my own spirituality. I’m not religious but I do believe in some sort of larger power – and though I don’t quite know what this means for me yet I’ve enjoyed learning more about the Universe, astro and tarot as a way of explaining some of the things that happens in our world. You can read an interview with tarot queen Louise Androlia here if you want an introduction to merging our mind, body and spirit.
We’re at a particularly turbulent time in our Universe at the moment; the Autumn Equinox is on Wednesday 23rd September and the total lunar eclipse falls on the same day as the new moon this month – 29th September. These lunar and seasonal shifts may well be a contributing factor to the unease some of us are feeling right now as we transition into winter.
The Autumn Equinox is a particularly special time, a date on which day and night are equal and we in the Northern Hemisphere are at the tipping point towards darkness. It’s also the time when the sun transits from Virgo into Libra, which is of course the time of balance. After the Autumn Equinox and right up until the Midwinter Solstice the nights will be longer than days and I guess this is the thought that rattles me a bit.
But this year I’m learning that rather to resist the changes it’s better to embrace the seasonal cycle, to appreciate the beauty of the changing leaves and big heavy skies, eat seasonally and reflect on the seasons past.
I’ve decided to limit Netflix and read as much as I can. I’ve ordered tons of books to see me through the darker seasons (I’m particularly looking forward to Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Eat Pray Love author Elizabeth Gilbert). I’ve bought new sheets for my bed and big cushions for my sofa, packed away all the summer clothes to make room for fluffy jumpers and ordered inspiring new recipe books so I can fill our bellies for months to come.
I’ve got intentions to focus more on my writing and the bits of work I enjoy, to give video another go (!!) and to basically plan for the season; instead of mourning the loss of summer I am celebrating what’s to come. And it obviously begins today, the day I made my first soup of almost-Autumn ;)
And I’m definitely not going to stress about not having a boyfriend… if I’m single all the way through til next summer then I won’t even have to think about shaving my legs until then. Perfect!
Who else is going to batten down the hatches and think happy thoughts about the next six months?
This is a collaborative post with kind thanks to The Circle
I adore autumn, it’s by far my most favorite time of year, but I so find leaving the house difficult when it’s so dark outside! I know you’re not a morning person but I made an effort to get out the house before 7am last weekend and went for a walk down by the river – it really made me appreciate the change in season and look forward to it even more. I’m definitely going to try and spend more time outdoors this year.
I love that you know I’m not a morning person ;)
I am definitely going to try to get up and enjoy our sunrises a bit more – this does involve not staying up late on Twitter for Pig Prime Minister news so being strict with Social Media will be a must. I think I will join you in trying to bundle up and spend more time outdoors too! x
It is a miserable time of year. Everyone at work has a cold – I think because it is the beginning of the school year and kids back at school combined with a change in seasons means that everyone succumbs to germs.
I feel a bit rubbish today – I have a cold, my son is teething and woke me up at least 5 times last night and tonight I have to go and speak to my ex about ‘arrangements’ for our son. I feel like shit, my ex is being an arse and I’d rather curl up in bed with lemsip than waste babysitting credits on going to the pub with my ex.
I sincerely hope I will still be single this time next year and I am really looking forward to evenings if books, blogs and box sets. Thanks
Urgh the germs, the germs! There was a nasty sick bug going around school last week – we seem to have sidestepped it so far (fingers crossed).
When you’re into the box sets I can highly recommend The Good Wife for SINGLE LADY DOING IT FOR HERSELF vibes :)
I love autumn, but it always makes me feel a little melancholy too.
Your last picture has made me miss London SO MUCH. That’s such a typical London view. I can almost smell it. I need to go back soon.
it’s a bit good, isn’t it? Nothing beats a crisp autumn morning in London… *happy sigh*
Just re-read my comment. Jesus it’s depressing! I am actually quite a positive person. Still lemsipped up it feeling better today.
There is something about winter that involves retreating into the cocoon a bit, taking stock, staying healthy and preparing yourself to take on the world…next spring.
Aww glad you’re feeling better today! The cocoon sounds good. I’m prepping mine over here as we speak ;)
I know what you mean – I am also a true sun seeker and don’t deal with the UK winter all that much, although I don’t mind autumn when it’s mild and all the pretty leaves fall
Laura x
I am so with you on this. Saying goodbye to summer is something I find really painful, but I’m okay once I accept that there’s no going back. This year, I’ve asked a friend of mine who LOVES autumn to be my mentor and to keep reminding me what she loves about this time of year. Hoping it’ll help!