14. A Love Letter to Autumn
There’s something magical about the way autumn arrives - quietly, yet unmistakably. The golden light softens, the air turns crisp, and the days slowly shorten. I feel a familiar pull to slow down, to breathe deeper, to savour more. Autumn has always been my favourite season, and as someone who lives in its rich, earthy colours, it feels like home.
Maybe it’s because my birthday falls in March, or perhaps it’s because I had my colours analysed a few years ago and discovered I am a True Autumn (which made so much sense!). Whatever the reason, I’ve always felt most myself in this season - wrapped in cosy layers, watching the leaves turn, and making big pots of soup with delicious mugs of chai.
The Scandinavian Perspective: Cosy Transitions
I love exploring how other cultures embrace the season. In Scandinavia, autumn is a time of gathering warmth, both physically and emotionally. They don’t resist the shift to shorter days and cooler air - they lean into it.
They embrace hygge (Denmark), lagom (Sweden), and koselig (Norway), concepts that celebrate cosiness, balance, and connection to nature. Imagine lighting candles as the sun sets earlier, savouring a warm drink, or wrapping yourself in soft blankets as you read. Small, simple moments create a sense of comfort and presence.
And despite the cooler air, they continue spending time outdoors, knowing that fresh air and movement keep the body and mind balanced. A crisp morning walk or sitting in the sun with an afternoon cuppa are beautiful ways to welcome the season with open arms.
The TCM Perspective: Letting Go & Nourishing Ourselves
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) teaches that autumn is the season of letting go, just as the trees shed their leaves, we, too, are invited to release what we no longer need.
Autumn is associated with the Metal element, which governs the lungs and large intestine - organs that help us breathe in what serves us and release what doesn’t. This is a time to take deep, intentional breaths, nourish our bodies with warm, grounding foods, and declutter (physically and emotionally) to create space for what’s next. Spring isn’t the only season for a reset!
A Few Ways to Care for Yourself in Autumn
Support Your Lungs: Practice deep breathing, mindful walks, or gentle movement like yoga.
Eat Warming Foods: Think roasted root vegetables, stews, and herbal teas like ginger.
Embrace the Art of Letting Go: Journal, declutter your space, or reflect on what no longer serves you.
Create Cosy Rituals: Light a candle at sunset, make a nourishing meal, or curl up with a book.
Embracing Autumn Mindfully
Autumn reminds us that change can be beautiful. It’s a season of transition, of drawing inward, of finding warmth in simple things. So as the air cools and the light shifts, I hope you’ll join me in slowing down -savouring a warm drink, stepping outside to breathe in the cool air and letting go of anything that feels heavy.
What do you love most about this season? Do you have a favourite autumn ritual? Comment below and let me know, I’d love to hear!
Wishing you a cosy, beautiful autumn ahead.
Libby x
My Autumn List
Shanti Soul Foods make an epic chai concentrate. I love both flavours with Bonsoy and an extra slice of fresh ginger. The ex-nutritionist in me also can’t pass up an opportunity to boost my chai with some protein powder!
In the spirit of Traditional Chinese Medicine practices, I’m focusing on working with my breath. I’m still a novice when it comes to breathwork, but I’ve found some great practices on Insight Timer. These two are my current favorites: here and here.
A cosy afternoon on the couch calls for an Autumn inspired movie, my top picks are:
When Harry Met Sally - The ultimate autumn rom-com with gorgeous New York autumn scenery, warm sweaters and heartfelt chats.
Fantastic Mr. Fox – Wes Anderson’s masterpiece, filled with warm autumn colours, cosy settings, clever humour and the voices of George Clooney and Meryl Streep, swoon!
Practical Magic – The quintessential cosy autumn movie with witchy New England charm, sisterhood, and candlelit kitchens.Saunas are on my list for the rest of the year. I’m fortunate to have access to the sauna at my gym and, in December, I won a $300 voucher for our local wellness studio, which I’ve been saving for the cooler months. My goal is two saunas a week.
Candles everywhere. When daylight savings ends, I love lighting candles in the early evening to create a cosy atmosphere. It makes the transition into night feel more special.
Clifftop walks and bush hikes. If summer is for the ocean, autumn is for crisp air walks. I’ve been working on getting back into walking, and I’m excited for the cooler weather to get some good kilometres in.