Autumn rituals & simple, seasonal pleasures

And just like that, October is here.

I love this time of year – I always have. It’s normally my busiest period at work, but it’s also when I find myself most in tune with the natural world and its rhythms. There’s something very calming about watching the seasons change around me, no matter what’s going on in the world or in my own life, and autumn brings spectacular – if fleeting – beauty. Slowing down and taking the time to notice it makes me feel grounded and reassured, and I know it benefits my mental and physical health.

No matter how many deadlines I have, I always try to carve out moments to savour simple autumnal pleasures, and today I’m sharing some of the rituals and joys that I’m looking forward to embracing over the coming weeks. Whether you’re a fan of autumn or not, I hope they inspire you to discover the magic of the season, at home and beyond…

Cosying up the home

For me, this is a time for nesting – for making the house as a cosy as possible before the cold months ahead. I swap breezy linen cushions for snuggly wool and velvet, drape blankets over sofas and beds, and dot sheepskins on chairs ready for lazy afternoons curled up with a book and a cuppa. I also make sure I’m stocked up on candles, and layer my bedding to cope with fluctuating nighttime temperatures. It’s all about creating a sanctuary that encourages rest and recuperation, much like the wildlife around us as it prepares for winter hibernation.

If you want to cosy up your own space, you’ll find more ideas in my round-up of easy autumn updates and my edit of timeless autumn homeware. I’m not for a moment suggesting you need to rush out and buy lots of new things, but rather build up a collection of treasured pieces that you can swap in and out according to the season and your mood.

Bringing seasonal nature inside

One of my favourite ways to celebrate autumn is to bring a bit of seasonal nature inside – and it’s so easy to do. A few foraged branches in a vase, a display of dried grasses, a scented candle or reed diffuser that evokes the earthy aroma of forests and fields… You really don’t need much to create a connection between your home and the outside world, and it’s a proven way to boost wellbeing, reduce anxiety and even improve productivity.

Getting outdoors

As much as I love alfresco summer living, I struggle with the heat and my energy levels generally drop from June to August. Come autumn, I’m ready to start being active again, wrapping up warm to enjoy my morning coffee in the local park and heading off on long walks at weekends. And there are so many wonderful sights, sounds and smells to savour, even around my city-centre home: crisp autumn leaves, fog-shrouded trees, foraging squirrels, flocks of migrating birds soaring overhead… It really is a special time of year to be outdoors, and I don’t think there’s any better stress reliever.

Embracing the darkness

There’s nothing we can do to change the shorter days and longer nights that autumn brings, so rather than fight the darkness I try to embrace it. In a way I find it comforting – it’s an antidote to the artificial light that dominates our modern world, and a reminder of the seasonal cycles that once guided everyday life.

Within my own home, I celebrate the darkness by eschewing electric lighting for candles. Their soft, golden glow creates a sense of intimacy and warmth – and watching the flames dance and flicker can be very soothing, especially after hours staring at the harsh blue light of a computer screen. If I need a little more light for reading or crafts, I’ll use floor and table lamps rather than overhead pendants or spots, ensuring there are still pockets of shadow here and there.

When I can, I also like to head outside to watch and listen as day slowly fades to night. I’m normally treated to some magical moments: silhouettes of trees against blazing pink skies, the ethereal glow as the sun finally drops behind the horizon, the sounds of creatures scurrying about the undergrowth, acrobatic displays from our resident bats as they emerge for their dusk hunting session… It’s almost meditative, and it always helps my brain and body transition from work mode to evening relaxation.

The above said, I’m aware that decreased sunlight can be debilitating for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and I don’t want to downplay its impact. I’m lucky enough not to be affected by it, but if you’re struggling speak to your doctor for advice.

Gazing at the night sky

Speaking of the long, dark winter nights, they make for excellent stargazing. I know very little about astronomy, but that doesn’t stop me looking up in wonder – and the vast beauty overhead instantly makes most day-to-day worries seem insignificant. As a child growing up in the UK’s Peak District, I was treated to stunning views of the Milky Way – the kind of skies that look as if they’ve been sprinkled with diamond dust. Now I live in a city and light pollution often gets in the way, but the moon, the planets and a few of the larger stars are normally visible. And there’s nothing to stop me jumping in the car and driving half an hour to somewhere more rural with a flask of hot chocolate.

Watching the sunrise

I’m not going to deny that getting up for work when it’s still dark outside is difficult, but yet another upside of the longer nights is being able to catch the sunrise without having to wake at 4 or 5am. It’s something I rarely get to see in summer (despite my best efforts I’ll always be a night owl rather than an early bird), so for me it’s definitely one of the treats of autumn. Sometimes I’ll head outside, sometimes I’ll just sit by the window to watch as the world comes to life. It’s always a joy, especially on those beautifully misty mornings when the rising sun burns through the fog and everything seems muffled and dreamlike.

IndulgING in seasonal food

Autumn has to be one of the best times of year for food. Not only are we treated to delicious produce (apples and pears, juicy sloes, earthy mushrooms), it’s also an excuse to indulge in hearty, soul-warming dishes like soups, stews and pies.

My go-to source of seasonal food inspiration is Louise Hurst of Nordic Kitchen Stories, whose delicious recipes bring together sustainable ingredients with influences from the UK, Sweden and elsewhere. Recently, I’ve also discovered the Instagram feed of former chef Saara Grillo (@grillo_eats), which is packed with quick and tasty meals (pan-roasted garlic potatoes, pesto eggs, tacos) for those lazy autumn evenings when only comforting, easy-to-make dishes will do.

Halloween

It seems like Halloween has fallen out of favour recently, derided as a gimmick or a meaningless marketing tool. But I love it! On the most basic level, it’s an excuse to gather with friends and family for a bit of fun – and we all need more of that after the past few difficult years. But behind the frivolity, the days around 31st October have deep meaning in many cultures, marking a transition between seasons and a time when the spirits of the dead return.

Some years I’ll go all out with Halloween-themed dinner parties and lots of decorations, other years I’ll just put out a pumpkin and settle back with a spooky film. But I always observe it in one way or another – it’s another opportunity to find joy in the moment and bring a bit of magic into our busy lives.

How do you make the most of autumn? And do you have any seasonal rituals of your own to add? Let me know in the comments below!

All photography by Abi Dare