Autumn is Upon Us

The time has come, once again, when the air gains a brisk chill, the days grow shorter, school comes back for those who are attending, and most notably, the trees change their color, and the leaves begin to fall.

Personally, I love Autumn. Some people don't care for it. They don't like to see summer go, or they don't want the cooler weather, or they don't want the stress of the upcoming holiday season, or they don't want school to start again. I see their point, and I understand. But I disagree. Autumn is a wonderful time of the year, and I cherish it whenever it comes back to me. I will admit, I say that about most seasons as they come, but Fall is my favorite. I enjoy Spring, mostly because it promises the arrival of Summer, and I love Summer for the warmer weather, the long days, the time spent with family and friends, and (hopefully) the vacations. Winter, as you guessed it, is my least favorite. The only thing that makes winter tolerable is the holidays, and once they're over there is nothing good about it. It's cold. It's wet. It's dark. It's unrelenting, and I despise it. So now that that's out of the way, let's move back onto Fall, shall we?

I love all parts of it. I love the colors. I love walking down the leaf lined streets, with the gently blowing, rustling leaves overhead. I love the sound of stepping on a crunchy dried up leaf. Of looking up to see all the trees and bushes doing their best to dazzle you with their beauty. Seeing the pale blue sky, and the warm but gentle Autumn sun. I love the beautifully haunting feel that accompanies it. I love hearing the first sounds of rain, the delighting in the smell that comes after it. I even love raking up the leaves in the back yard.


I love how the air changes, and gets that chill that follows it. I love bundling up in extra clothes. I love the chilly and lazy Fall days, spent simply curled up on the couch under a cozy blanket, warm tea in hand, nestled in for some long needed time just looking out the window, watching the world go by. And when that gets old, changing your attention to a good book, or maybe watching your old favorite movie. It is in this season, that I feel my spirit really gets to rest. No other time of year do I get to rest, relax, and cherish my surroundings as I do in Fall. Spring is spent preparing, Summer is spent doing, and Winter is spent just trying to keep ahead of your growing 'to do' list. It is the delightful Fall, when my mind gets to explore, rest, and marvel. It's like the entire earth takes a deep breath during Fall (or at least the parts of Earth that are experiencing it). My mind always wanders. I begin to dream again. I prioritize myself this time of year. I begin to shake off all the stress and busyness from the rest of the year, and seem to find myself once more. I have a sense of wonder, and feel like anything is possible. I start to plan for the future, and take time to think of what I truly want. It's a freeing season for me. I feel like, as the trees shake their old and dying leaves, I do the same, with my weariness and stagnant frame of mind. I go through a process of renewal, and refreshment. The solitary, yet comforting sense of this season is part of why I like it. One can truly be alone in Fall, and yet not feel bad about oneself. Unlike in the holiday season, the season of love, and the adventure filled Summer season, where no one really enjoys being alone. In Fall, you can not only be alone with yourself, but you can cherish it. Find yourself, enjoy yourself, help yourself, and let yourself rest. I think it is largely due to this time with myself that I can happily go through the rest of the year. Not that I don't like people, or don't see anyone at all during Fall, just that those few times where you can be exclusively yourself are crucial to a healthy mind. It's centering. Despite what it probably sounds like, I'm usually quite social during Autumn. I enjoy going out with my friends, spending time with my family, having small parties and get togethers, enjoying seasonal festivities like making caramel apples, or going to corn mazes and such. But there's a different sense in it during this season. Maybe because it feels less mandatory, and more just because I feel like it. Maybe because sprinkled in between are many more quiet and restful days. I'm not sure. But I love it. As I love this seasons thoughtful nature.



To conclude, Fall is much more than pumpkin spice lattes, scarves, boots, football season, and Halloween. It's a truly lovely season, with a lot of thought provoking aspects, and though I sometimes feel that it's underappreciated, I don't really mind, because that makes it feel all the more special and lovely to me.

So best wishes! And may your Autumn season be truly enchanting.

~Carrie