Welcome to autumn. I don’t know about you, but the season has certainly changed in the last week. Despite the weather still being warm at times, the leaves have started to fall, the wind has increased in it’s usual autumnal way and daylight is disappearing earlier in the evening.
I love autumn. It is a magical time when the leaves are changing to beautiful oranges, reds, golds, and yellows. The sunrises and sunsets are dramatic and show us what nature is all about. We start to wear our warmer clothes and make warming comforting food such as soup.
This week on my daily walks I have been thinking about the changes around me. As the leaves were stirring up, my warmer coat kept me cosy. Two things came into my mind on my blowy lunchtime walk. This season brings with it the wind and the warmth.
The Wind
The wind can be a light breeze or dramatic and intense. It helps to move the dying leaves off the trees and scatter those already fallen. It creates a shift in the environment, making changes to the landscape around us. Although we have been here before, we know the environment won’t be the same again, until we reach this part in the cycle next year.
What changes are happening in your life right now?
In my world the change this autumn is bringing is our local restaurant/pub is closing. Having been here as long as it has, the sense of loss of the friendships with those working there is sad. We have shared many good times and laughs with them. As they say, “people come into your life for a season, a reason or a lifetime”. With it closing it certainly befits the season.
For all those that work there, they are having to let go and move forward as do the customers, like us.
Many unexpected things can unsettle you and your world. But it will be temporary, before long, the season will shift and so will you. Time stands still for no man and we move on, we grow and we deal with the shifting environment. You adapt to your new normal and move on with your life.
You will all know the story of Mary Poppins. She comes in on the east wind. Bringing with her change, disruption, and a little bit of magic. Some of the characters knew when the east wind came, change was afoot. They were right. Mary Poppins arrived like a whirlwind, changing everything up for the good.
This makes you realise that sometimes, change chooses you and not the other way around.
The Warmth
The warmth is what we create ourselves, this is the season when we pull on our jumpers and blankets and turn the heating on so we are cosy. We start to create our evening rituals of closing the curtains, getting our comfy clothes on and creating a warming environment, perhaps with a mug of hot chocolate. Our home becomes our cosy comfort, away from the changes of the windy autumnal outdoors.
As we transition from the outdoors of summer into the indoors of autumn, we start to do things for comfort. We create our bubble of friends, family and pets, those we feel safe and comfortable around. We do more indoor socialising and create warmth in what we do.
Perhaps you already have rituals you follow when autumn rolls around, lighting candles to creating the warming homely feel rather than lots of strong lights. Wrapping up in our favourite blanket and fighting with your cat or dog for it. More snuggles with pets, partners or kids, lie ins at the weekend with a cup of tea or a wholesome family movie.
The Wind and the Warmth
We need both the wind and the warmth in our lives. The wind and change to move us and the warmth and comfort to soothe us.
Going back to Mary Poppins, the wind is what brings her and the changes she makes, but the warmth comes from what she creates – the comfort, the joy, the new way of seeing things. Showing you change can bring you the warmth and comfort and you will be ok.
Enjoy looking around you this week and noticing all the joys of autumn. From the wildness of the wind stirring things up to the gentleness and warmth that helps you settle into comfort.
Thank you very much for reading. Have a wonderful autumnal week, noticing the changes around you.
Take care and look after you.
Love Emma xx
