Photo: Dan Smedley on Unsplash
August came and went, and suddenly the air is rich with the first hints of autumn. Online, the first mentions of the golden season are popping up, and I find myself excited about everything that comes with its arrival. It has always been my favourite time of the year, and there is no logical explanation for it. The heat is lifting its clammy palms, and the pressure of managing my body image issues while revealing my skin melts away. I sigh with relief as I gradually swap my summer wardrobe for the winter one; sandals and sundresses are out, turtlenecks and scarves are in.
With autumn comes an imaginary (or not) mood board bringing together all my plans, ideas, and intentions for this season. As I put them together, they acquire the shape of a cozy autumn care package, which has inspired this post—the first of its kind among everything I’ve ever written. Perhaps it’ll inspire you to come up with your own seasonal care package, or if you’ve already prepared one, maybe some of my intentions for this season will be useful to you.
Autumn Book List
The most recent addition to my book collection
It’s an old habit of mine to link a book to a season of the year based on the book’s themes and mood, and I’m definitely not the only one to do so. Autumn is the time for Gothic, melancholic, and bittersweet reads; bonus points if the events of a book actually take place in autumn. Here’s my list of autumn reads for this year, fresh off the press (not really).
- The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It’s been on my to-read list forever, but after a coworker’s recent raving review, I bumped this book up to this year’s reading queue, and I’m incredibly excited. I won’t lie, the expectations are extremely high for this one.
- Dead Poets Society by N.H. Kleinbaum. The academic setting, a group of young students, and a professor daring them to make their lives extraordinary? Yes, please. I was surprised to learn the book is based on the film, not the other way around. Well, I’m tackling both this season.
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt. I’m clearly going full in with the academia vibes this autumn, because this novel also features eccentric students and their charismatic professors. It’s been described as “haunting, compelling and brilliant,” so I’m keeping it for November — the moodiest autumn month.
Autumn Film List
Some movies are a must-watch every autumn, and yet somehow I’ve never watched them until now (I’m looking at you, When Harry Met Sally). I’m about to rectify the situation and watch some fall classics for the first time — plus rewatch others just because they’re worth it. Here’s the list of movies I’m watching this autumn:
- A Beautiful Mind
- Good Will Hunting
- Practical Magic
- Little Women
- Dead Poets Society
- Sleepy Hollow
- Corpse Bride
- Scent of a Woman
- You’ve Got Mail
- Sleepless in Seattle
- When Harry Met Sally
- Matilda
- Shall We Dance
- Knives Out
- The Lake House
Autumn Activities
As fun as that sounds, I’m not going to spend the whole season doing nothing but reading books and watching films. There are endless ways to make the most of autumn, and this is how I intend to do it this year.
- Baking. I’m not a particularly skilled baker, which has often made me feel less girly than I wished to feel. I know that’s not a very rational way of thinking, but I’d like to give baking a chance and try some cinnamon buns or chocolate chip cookie recipes. If not for the sake of reclaiming my girliness, then for curiosity’s sake.
- Shadow work. A Guide to Shadow Work by Stephanie Kirby has been gathering dust on my bookshelf for months, as I always found reasons to put off working with it. I think I’m finally ready — and, again, curious — to dive into it and see what shadow work is and what it can help me discover about myself.
- Self-studying. Although my student days are behind me (and I don’t miss them, to be honest), my love for studying is as alive as ever. My current priorities are Spanish, writing, and literature, and that’s what my autumn curriculum will consist of. Whether at home, at a library, or at a cozy coffee shop, a notebook, some learning materials, noise-canceling headphones, and a cup of something hot to drink make for a perfect setting for self-studying.
- Solo dates. Those are always in, regardless of the season, but autumn has its own unique aesthetic. A change of the wind, the leaves turning golden and bronze, a warm scarf, and a thermos of hot tea, coffee, or even mulled wine — tell me you don’t feel called to go out there and plunge yourself into autumn. Parks are waiting for me to stroll around, a book in my hand; tucked-away cafes are already preparing their seasonal menus; and I absolutely must find a charming gazebo to have lunch at. It would be a crime not to explore any of that.
Autumn Mindset
I hear there are talks of “finishing strong” even though the year is far from over. I’ll be honest, that motto doesn’t appeal to me. I’m not interested in putting any pressure on myself to optimize my performance, as LinkedIn would have me do. Instead, I want to focus my attention on more fundamental values such as my relationships with others, my health, and my emotional fulfillment.
Here are a few reminders — both to myself and to you — that will help make this autumn beautiful and fulfilling.
1. You don’t live to work, you work to live.
An oldie but a goodie. Please resist the temptation to build an unachievable to-do list in an attempt to catch up with some backlog you might have after the vacation season. No number of achievements will bring you the satisfaction you’re chasing if they come at the price of your well-being.
2. It’s okay to ask for help.
I might need to say this one aloud multiple times every day, because I perpetually struggle with it. We’re not supposed to be able to always do everything on our own. We all need help from time to time, and the surest way to receive it is to ask for it.
3. This is the time for all nature to slow down.
That includes us, humans. The trees are shedding their mane, the days are getting shorter, and the energy levels are lower. Rushing and pushing to do more and grind harder at a time like this is counterintuitive and counterproductive. Listen to your body’s needs. Take a day off work for no reason. Spend an entire afternoon on the couch, under a blanket, reading or binge-watching your favourite comfort show. Take that nap. It’s nap season, baby.
4. Allow yourself some weeks simply to survive.
There are seasons within seasons — stretches of time when life is so hard on you, you wonder how you’ll ever get through it. At times like that, focus on nothing more than just getting to the other end of it. Forgive yourself for feeling tired, not having an empty sink when you go to bed, or skipping the gym. Allow yourself to survive any way you can. And give yourself a hug.
5. The purpose of life is to enjoy it.
I reached this conclusion many years ago and have never wavered from it. It guides me through my work, my passions and hobbies, and my relationships. Allow it to sink in and lead you through life as well. Let it guide your decision-making process and, most importantly, the way you treat yourself. I’m convinced we weren’t put on this earth to work 60 hours a week or dedicate every waking moment to being the most interesting person in the room. I know we can’t do whatever we want every minute of every day, that we still have responsibilities, and that we must work to make a living. But for heaven’s sake, don’t let those things become your raison d’être. Enjoying life should be your raison d’être. And mine, and everyone’s.
I hope this cozy little care package offers you some insights into joy and creativity this autumn. And if you have any insights of your own to share, I’d be happy to hear them.
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