It’s 23rd October and I can safely say that it’s only now I’m starting to get over the shock of Autumn. It seemed to creep up so slowly at first – I wore sandals right up to the bitter (cold) end of summer – but once it arrived: POW! In your face like a ton of bronze-coloured leaves. Pretty, but cold. And soon to be dark.
I found it hard, I always find it hard. The changing of Summer to Autumn for me brings lethargy, apathy, it kills my motivation. I was writing the same back in 2012 and I expect my change of season funk will persist in years to come.
But this time I wanted to see if I could make the most of the bad feelings. I wondered what might make me feel better and then, rather than moping around feeling useless, I did something about the way I felt. And so I thought I’d share my seasonal fixes with you here in the hope it might help someone else, too.
Treat Yo’ Self
So choosing a fairly drastic haircut might not have been the best idea when I was feeling this emotional (oops) – there were tears. But the process of spending a lovely 3 hours at the hairdressers improved my mood like nothing else ever does and now two weeks into my slightly shorter hair I’m almost liking it. Add in a manicure and an eyebrow threading appointment and you will feel like a new woman ready to tackle the drizzle of Autumn (as long as it’s not drizzling on your new fringe). For this reason I always have a love affair with lipstick come autumn. It’s silly but it totally brightens up my school run.
Get Outside
October is International Walk To School Month, did you know that? Slightly tricky for us as we live 6 miles away from our school but we’ve been using this as an excuse to park the car at my parent’s house and take a swift stomp up the hill to school. We were sent these brilliant jackets from Hi-Gear which has been revolutionary as I’m firmly in the ‘owns only fashion jackets’ category. My All Saints biker jacket might look good in February but you can guarantee I am shivering and blue underneath it. These reversible jackets are brilliant – they’re feather light and fold up into a tiny pocket yet are toasty warm which is great as we throw them on quickly to head out for fresh air! I always return to my day feeling energized after a kick around in the leaves – I guess Autumn is not so bad for that after all?
Hux is wearing the Hi-Gear Boy’s Transformer Insulated Jacket at £25 (with discount card), Elfie has the Hi-Gear Girl’s Transformer Insulated Jacket at £25 and I am wearing the Hi-Gear Packlite Women’s Down Jacket at £65.
Treat Yo’ Self part II
You know what? Mums work bloody hard year-round, whether you’re work at home, stay at home, work elsewhere… it’s an emotionally draining 24/7 job. You know you need a break when you are viewing your bi-monthly bikini wax as a relaxing ‘me time’ so I say: TIME OUT. Last week I took a couple of self-nominated Duvet Days to sit on the sofa under a blanket, nap, eat toast and enjoy Netflix and you know what? I needed it. I soon craved the normality of my busy routine but that little rest where I thought about nobody but me was invaluable.
Exercise
When I feel sluggish and unmotivated the one thing to get me going is always exercise. This is also the hardest thing to initiate because actually moving your bum all the way to the gym when you feel like a sloth can be impossible. So I’ve tailored my approach for the season: stepped up the Yoga (is it really exercise if you have a 10 minute nap at the end?), dialled down the squats and weights and indulged in a bit more swimming. I’m the worst person in the world for putting off exercise when I’m too busy with work but really, when I do it I’m a million times more productive afterwards.
Drink Coffee
Like, duh. But it’s even more important now to drink your coffee WITH people. Again, I’m the worst for getting too bogged down with my work life and neglecting coffee dates with my friends but seeing them and having a gossip about our lives makes me feel 110% happier and more productive. I’ve been on two coffee dates this week and I feel so very energised because of it.
So there are my seasonal fixes – what are yours?
Thank you Hi-Gear for kitting us out in these brilliant jackets! You can get yours from Go Outdoors, starting at £25.
I get this every year! Around October I suddenly feel a little down and weird, like a tiny black cloud has entered my brain. I’m normally through it by November time, but it happens at the same time each year. Like clockwork! I’ve found definitely going to yoga after work helps (to lessen the shock of the dark); making sure I do a lunch time walk to get my quota of daylight and upping my Omega 3 and Vitamin D&B. But I’ve also accepted the fact I get a bit of SAD each year and will have to welcome it, like a little autumnal friend.
I’m quite bad like this too – the onset of autumn just reminds me of the months of cold, dark winter we have to look forward to. Pampering sounds like a great idea, as does pushing myself to the gym (I tend to want to hibernate). I also find candles in the evening to make the place cosy and pre-Christmassy also help a little bit! I like the run up to Christmas so, once that starts, I’m usually okay, it’s just this in-between ‘Autumn’ thing we’ve got going on at the mo!
I LOVE Autumn! For me, it conjures up images of kicking leaves and red wine and roast chicken and knee high boots and scarves and jackets and jumper dresses and good TV.
I love your new hair – it suits you shorter. I went for an impromptu cuppa with friends this morning and it really lifted my spirits all day x
Yes yes yes! Totally with you on all of these. I’ve spent the last 2 weeks having coffee and lunch and brunch with a series of lovely people, and it’s been fantastic. I’ve also stepped up my gym regime, so that I actually break a sweat rather than just think about it. And I’ve bought new lippy. Woop!
I love autumn because I love change and I see it as a fresh start. Great tips, especially getting a hair cut, and yours looks lovely. Have a fabulous weekend!
You all look so snug in your coats and I love your hair – I always think with drastic haircuts that even if you don’t like it much, it’s not forever, it’ll grow! x
I totally get what you mean about getting bogged down in work and neglecting the important things like coffees with friends. I’ve been really doing that over the last couple of months and am really feeling it now. Thanks for the tips!
Love your new haircut. I actually like Autumn but now the clocks have gone back and I’ll be coming home from work in the dark I know exactly what you mean about needing to rediscover your motivation! I MUST get to the gym!
Clare x
These are all great ways to shake off those Autumn blues – getting outside is super important and I think as long as your dressed well why stop just because it’s colder and you three capture this perfectly – love the super stylish jackets, great for an active family.
Laura x