How I Deal With Autumn Blues

I think as human beings we’re finely attuned to these seasonal changes of the year. 

Winter brings in darker isolated nights where I yearn the most for nostalgia, but it promises cosy Christmas celebrations. Yet it also feels like an uphill battle to get through the first couple of months of the new year. Luckily I was born in the spring, so it always provides this renewed sense of hope and growth in me after dealing with the harsh winter season. March ushers in a new chapter of my life and I find myself blossoming to all the opportunities lying ahead of me. 

When summer comes along I feel reinvigorated with purpose and I aim to recklessly seize each day. I chase goals and tackle adventures like I’m the protagonist on an important quest. But eventually, the summer spell gets lifted. Autumn comes along wearily and I get swept up into a quieter, reflective period.

Embracing Autumn’s Chill

Cold seeps into the foundations of the flat. Its frigid chill sends a shiver down my spine every morning when I get out of bed. I’ve already adopted the habit of wearing bulky layers - and a blanket draped over my shoulders for added comfort - to keep myself warm and cosy. We’re in denial about the change in seasons, and we don’t want to switch on the central heating just yet…

Some thrifty student habits never go away.

But autumn is well underway. I can already see the gloomy undertones in the sky - it appears less bright than usual. The trees yielded to September’s weary advance: their vibrant green leaves have faded to a crisp rusty tinge. Soon the rest of nature will transform into a canvas of copper, amber, and scarlet.

I witness the changing leaves of trees outside my window, and I can’t help but wonder if I’ve changed in a similar way. Yet I don’t notice anything different at all. Not on the surface anyway…

This season breezes by in the blink of an eye. September already gently swept through. October now delivers its heavy blow of autumn chill.

The heating has finally been cranked up a notch.

Now that my summer momentum has subsided, I’m lost and aimless in mid-October. I can’t help but feel that I lost time for capitalising on new opportunities. Although it isn't bad that progress halts during the transition between seasons. In my opinion, autumn becomes this seasonal shift to solace and sanctuary.

It’s during this essential period where I’m swept up by introspection. I’m reflecting on personal growth and change over the last nine months. To me, this season is about showing appreciation and gratitude for myself and attending to neglected areas of my life. Although the colder weather drains my well-being, I have to take it as a reminder to settle in and get cosy indoors.

Cosy Living

Over the years I noticed that my depression seems insurmountable at times during this season. This is a common trouble shared by many. The stark change in weather definitely affects my mood. Seasonal affective disorder can be a cutthroat affair.

Despite the dreaded chillier weather in my headspace, I appreciate the autumn blues. There’s this poignant reminder that I must carefully tend to my health and well-being. After all, we’re not human doings. Self-care is especially important during the darker months of the year. Honestly, autumn feels like the perfect occasion to recover and reset from the year’s relentless challenges. In a sense, this season for me is a time of renewal and self-discovery.

I’m granted the convenience to embrace the vibes of cosy living. This could mean the simple pleasures of wearing extra layers, sipping on freshly-brewed coffee, tea and hot chocolate, as well as snuggling under blankets in the evenings. These little comforts make the season worthwhile.

But I’m also drawn to seeking out restorative activities that nourish the soul. For myself, these are personalised experiences that have worked for me that involve introspection. Through the means of dedicated journaling and mindful practices like yoga and meditation, I gradually learned that I need to spend time this season rekindling moments of comfort and joy.

That's why I was proactive and compiled a fun autumnal bucket list to keep me satisfied when the days seemed gloomier than usual.

Creative Remedies

This often involves revisiting old hobbies like picking my dusty guitar and playing a couple of songs. Though it’ll sound clunky (and my neighbours will resent me), the joy of relearning melodies always felt soothing to me. Likewise, I’ve spent time painting miniature models and crafting terrain for tabletop gaming - a fun pastime that exudes cosiness when paired with a weekend afternoon, a green robe, and chill music playing in the background.

Now that the Great British Bake Off is back on our screens, I’ve been baking weekly according to the themed challenges. So far, there’s been a lot of kitchen mishaps, messy countertops, cutlery and crockery… Yet, it also produced some interesting bakes that I probably wouldn't have attempted before.

Similarly, I want to experiment with creative fiction once again - I’m currently thinking about delving into a contemporary fantasy piece. It’s going to be a long project, but the themes of the story seem to resonate with me right now.

It’s at this point I’ve realised that my chosen activities cultivate a lot of creativity!

While that’s not a bad thing, I imagine that these restorative activities aren’t suited to everyone. But I guess it’s not about following a guideline, but rather tapping into the hobbies and interests that enraptured your attention in childhood. These are the things that bring me joy and excitement - but it’ll differ for anyone reading this.

However, that’s not to say that I don’t wind down with more relaxing activities. Sometimes all I really need is a chance to cosy up in the corner with a good book and a hot drink. It seems like a rare occasion these days. But oh man, it’s always worthwhile to forget about the cares of the world and get lost in a novel!

Acts of Self-Care

However, I also want to highlight the important daily tasks I do to keep myself well. These are the tedious self-care tasks that are equally important during this time. I’m sure you’re aware of the familiar gnawing habits - eating healthy-ish, getting in exercise, and prioritising sleep to name a few.

I’ve also realised that I must brave the chilly autumn weather every day. It’s undeniable how vital it can be to get a daily dose of daylight and fresh air during the autumn months. Therefore, I have to make excuses to be outside whenever possible. Otherwise, my mind will convince me that it’s not important and I should stay safe and warm - which is always a tempting invitation. While I’ve not reached the stage of running outdoors like I used to do, I settle for walking up to the local Lidl store and buying a baked treat. Soon, I’m sure I'll be fetching a coffee in a cosy cafe over the next few weeks...

Then there are also things like keeping consistent with my skincare routine - something most men don’t do, but should. It’s these “vain” moments spent looking after my appearance that actually remind me to value myself and nurture my body daily. If I’m willing to put in the time and attention to eating well and exercising, then why would I neglect this aspect of my well-being?

It’s this constant care and devotion to oneself that makes this autumn not only manageable - but also a refreshing change of pace.

Altogether, these are some things that I’ve done so far. But there are still items on my bucket list that I’m looking forward to during the second half of autumn.

Sooner or later, I want to share these vibes of cosy living with my partner when she comes back from visiting her family in Romania. Together we’ve set out intentions for weekend board game sessions, as well as an escape to Edinburgh for a day trip, and some possible hiking adventures spent reconnecting with nature. But then there’s also our long-awaited Halloween “Spooktober” traditions that’ll come into full swing soon!

Eventually, I hope to make plans to visit my family too and hear all the latest family gossip. Maybe there’ll be coffee catch-ups with old friends scattered throughout the period as well. I think it’s favourable to have things to look forward to during this season. Whether it involves time spent alone doing things I love or time spent with family and friends, every little activity nourishes my mental health.

Rediscover the Things You Love

Sometimes when you know yourself well enough, you learn to play to the strengths of your temperament with each passing season.

I keep busy by doing recreational hobbies and interests because they rejuvenate my mind and body. Before I did this bucket list, I used to think about trying to survive yet another onset of autumn blues, but now I’m choosing to savour the moments in between these months.

Generally speaking, we often forget to take the time to revisit activities that bring us comfort and joy. But if we can listen to how the change in seasons influences our behaviour, then maybe we can realise that there needs to be a period where we slow down just a little. Take it as a means to spruce up our lives and rediscover what it feels like to be human.

Anyway, I wanted to share these experiences with anyone who deals with similar circumstances. Often we need that reminder to give ourselves permission to do things that we love - especially during the turbulent seasons of autumn and the ensuing winter. I hope that anyone reading this decides to create their own autumnal bucket list - I’d be keen to hear what they are - please feel free to share them in the comments!