Many of us loathe the hot summer season because it drains our energy. But when October starts, suddenly we feel the dry and cold wind, and we rejoice at the thought that another season is knocking on our door. When autumn arrives, new energy ooze out from us and once again we feel refreshed, inspired and invigorated.

The beauty of autumn is undeniable. From the brilliant oranges, reds and yellows of the changing leaves to the crisp air and falling temperatures — everything about this season seems to scream “fall in love with this season.”

However, there are some people who don’t like autumn for various reasons. But we will not talk about the negativity that is associated with the season, instead, we will look into the uniqueness of autumn.

Contrary to the former kind of people, I am one of those who start to feel better as the weather cools. I love that slight chill in the morning air, the chill that means colder weather is near.

No doubt, autumn is a magical time of the year. With the leaves falling from the trees, daylight becomes shorter and nights get longer and cosier. There’s just something about this season that makes everything feel so much more vivid. Let’s celebrate the unique beauty of autumn and all the delights associated with it.

A collage of beautiful colours!

We generally appreciate the beauty of the spring season, which of course, is laden with colours and new life. But autumn also has the most beautiful, vibrant and rich colours of the year.

From the fiery reds of the maple and oak trees to the dark greens of the conifers, there’s just something about the colours of autumn that makes them stand out above all the rest. Whether you’re admiring them from a distance or taking them in up close, autumn’s colours just can’t be ignored.

Autumnal colours are more than a pretty sight to behold, they’re actually a sign of the changing season. So while they’re beautiful to look at now, they’ll soon be gone, replaced with the stark greys and whites of winter.

Thus, make sure you don’t miss out on seeing their wonderful hues that won’t last for long!

A time of transition

Autumn, or the fall, is a time of transition, the season of harvest and of new beginnings. In this season, most trees shed their leaves, the days become shorter and colder, and the season becomes mellower.

It is also the time to start afresh because the New Year is on the way. This also means that it is time to get organised and make plans for the last few remaining months of the year.

Celebrate autumnal food!

Every weather is beautiful and beneficial in its own way. You can make it more special if you add some seasonal treats to your routine.

In autumn, all the fruits and vegetables that have been growing throughout summer are at their ripest. And as you have enjoyed the season of mangos, now is the season to enjoy the persimmons, pomegranates, apples and pumpkins.

In the western world, autumn is all about pumpkin, and they also cherish the season with desserts made from apples, pumpkins, figs and cinnamon. But as we don’t relish pumpkin so much here, we can still enjoy all the special varieties in fruits and vegetables associated with autumn and add them in our daily meals. It will make us realise the importance of seasonal foods.

Relax and slow down

Attuning your mental state with the changing season is an excellent way to take advantage of autumn’s beauty and serenity. The slower pace of the season may also help you slow down and have more time to focus.

No doubt, there is magic in the changing of colours, cooler temperatures and overall mellowness of autumn, which can help calm your mind and ease stress.

Capture the moment

This applies to all the seasons. Yes, to enjoy the essence of any season, you must focus on nature, the surroundings and all those things which reflect the season, such as the morning and evening sky, trees, plants, leaves, flowers, etc.

It’s a wonderful time for photography. You can get deep, rich colours like reds and golds, but you can also get the cooler tones of yellows and blues. The crispness of the colours makes an autumn photo feel more alive, so it’s a great time to snap shots of nature.

The perfect time to snuggle up with a book!

Because the weather is not hot anymore (except for a few hot days), it’s the perfect time to snuggle up with a good book. You can actually enjoy a lot of activities that you previously couldn’t get engaged in because of the summer heat. In autumn, it’s usually moderate so it is easy to turn to simple pleasures such as reading, writing and relaxing as a result.

Inner growth

Fall is an excellent time to cultivate a more introspective and self-reflective mindset. First, be mindful of the present moment. This is an excellent way to stop, smell and observe the flowers and leaves around you — and appreciate the beauty in everything.

Next, check in with your mind and body. What do you feel like doing or thinking about? What are your thoughts about the season? These are important questions to answer in order to cultivate self-awareness.

Third, take time to reflect on your goals and personal values. How do you spend your time? What are your interests and passions? What are you interested in? What are your values? These are all important things to consider when cultivating self-awareness.

Look forward!

Remember, fall is the sign that life is moving, a new year is on its way. So you must take a positive approach and look forward to the coming year. It’s a good time to think about what’s important to you. What are your goals? What do you want to achieve in the coming year? And what do you value most in life?

Just take the mellowness of this season as a positive approach to reflect on yourself and your life, and feel the richness every day.

Published in Dawn, Young World, October 29th, 2022