Make the best of autumn

I love summer and everything about it, the longer days, sunshine, abundance of food, flourishing nature, busy streets, colourful clothes and the overall feeling of joy. I become more productive, physically active and more motivated. Summer makes life easier and happier, and I feel miserable when it ends. As soon as the weather turns chillier, and the first rains come, I start feeling the winter blues and put my life on hold until the “loud Southwester bring the singer, bring the nester” as Robert Frost describes spring so beautifully in his poem. In time, however, I realized there is so much I love about autumn, and I decided to enjoy it and make the best of it.

Autumn food is one of my favourite things about the season. The bounty of seasonal fruit and vegetables is simply wonderful. Pumpkins, apples and cinnamon. Need I say more? Autumn is the perfect time to devote more time to cooking. Various sweet and savoury dishes we make in autumn fill the house with inviting smells and reward us with the feeling of warmth and delight. Pumpkin is a superfood because it is rich in vitamins and minerals, it is greatly nourishing and even has healing properties. When they ripen in autumn, we should use this gift and prepare our bodies for winter. Countless recipes are available online in different languages, but the best ones come from our grannies and old family recipes that remind us of our tradition and culinary legacy.

The most striking and gorgeous change in nature happens in autumn. Some years, when September and October are mild and dry, trees slowly transform from bright green to different shades of yellow, red and brown. Bright colours of flowers are replaced with pastel colours of trees, which gives the feeling of serenity and calm. The whispering winds of autumn are gentle, tranquil and refreshing. After a hot summer they gradually cool the air preparing us for the winter ahead. And then in November it rains almost every day. But they are calming rains that invoke deep and careful thoughts and introspection. Our surrounding becomes quieter, as well as our thoughts. Spending time with a good book and a cup of tea or taking a long walk in nature or the city is the best way to slow down and take a break from a hectic lifestyle we all lead today.

Autumn is not idle or inactive, however. There are so many things you can do despite inclement weather. My favourite thing is snuggling with my two cats under a comfy blanket and reading a good book while sipping tea or coffee. If it’s raining heavily and I don’t feel like going outside I like to stay warm indoors and watch a good documentary or simply look outside the window and listen to the rain.

If you are adventurous, going out in the rain may be the best way to spend an autumn day. Feeling the rain pour down your face enjoying every drop is quite therapeutic. Getting in touch with nature is healing and can benefit your mental health. And after that, it is especially pleasant to go inside and get warm and dry.

Spending time in my favourite café is another autumn tradition of mine. When it’s pouring outside and the cloudy, gloomy weather just won’t go away, the fastest way to cheer myself up is to get my favourite coffee in one of the best cafés in the city. Coffee and cake can brighten up the darkest days and chase away the clouds. You can invite your friends to join you and suddenly your mood can change from depressing to cheerful. Having meaningful conversations with friends is healing and uplifting. It is an underrated treasure and essential quality of a healthy and happy life.

Every season is unique and extraordinary in its own way. They all bring different opportunities and new chances to enjoy this fleeting life and make the best of it. And so, we should seize the day regardless of the weather, finding comfort in all seasons and their wonders and charms.