Welcoming Autumn
"Of all the seasons, autumn offers the most to man and requires the least of him."– Hal Borland
To Autumn
John Keats 1795 –1821
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness, Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; Conspiring with him how to load and bless With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run; To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees, And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, And still more, later flowers for the bees, Until they think warm days will never cease, For summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.
Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store? Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find Thee sitting careless on a granary floor, Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind; Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep, Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers: And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep Steady thy laden head across a brook; Or by a cider-press, with patient look, Thou watchest the last oozings, hours by hours.
Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they? Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,-- While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day, And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue; Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn Among the river sallows, borne aloft Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies; And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn; Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft The redbreast whistles from a garden-croft, And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
Written September 19, 1819; first published in 1820.
Welcoming Autumn
Welcome to Generosity of Spirit, a space to share my slow and gentle living philosophy - alongside my love of plant based living and food. Please do subscribe to join me on this gentle journey of discovery.
After the heat wave of last week (in the UK), there is a distinct feeling of change in the air. The nights are drawing in, we are waking up to cooler mornings. Leaves are starting to change colour and fall, and those jumpers and cardigans are starting to look inviting again. This season brings with it a cosy sense of familiar comfort and ease along with an invitation for change.
Let’s picture the scene together…
The sky is dark, and the rain is hitting the windows gently - persistently. It shows no signs of stopping, but you are home for the day. You pull your favourite thick fluffy socks on, and tuck your pyjama bottoms into them. The kettle has just boiled, so you brew yourself a cup of tea, and light some candles in the living room. The scent of vanilla and pumpkin spice instantly fills the room, and you draw the curtains gently together, and settle on the sofa with your mug of tea and reach for your book. There is a slight chill in the room, so you grab a blanket and pull it over you, and take a deep breath. You are safe, you are warm, you are at peace.
Designful - A Creative Spark
“Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun.”
— Mary Lou Cook
For the last two years, instead of New Year resolutions - I have chosen a ‘word of the year’ to act as my anchor and source of inspiration throughout the coming year. Last year I chose the word ‘balance’, as I felt I was sorely in need of balance across my mind, body and spirit. This year, I chose ‘designful’ (adj. full of design, intention). I wanted to be braver this year, I wanted to remind myself of my own power and the control I have to design my life the way I want to. At the start of this year I had already started to find true value in slow and gentle living, and as we have progressed through the year, this philosophy now stands at the heart of everything I do. It is my very foundation, but I was also ready to reach out of my comfort zone.
I was ready to start exploring, reading, learning - I wanted to learn new skills, gain more hobbies. The more I opened myself up, the more at peace I became.
This year, I have started knitting , I have started running (couch to 5k), I have drastically reduced my alcohol consumption, I have started writing daily again, I joined Skillshare and attend classes nearly every day.
I have got more organised and intentional with my time, I have started using Notion to increase my productivity, I have started reading more regularly, I went to the library for the first time in years, I started nature journaling, drawing, painting.
I have started to learn about lunar living and seasonal living, I have explored different types of meditation, sound baths and breathwork, and I have started to learn about the power of crystals and the importance and power of balancing your chakras.
I am so proud of myself. At the beginning of this year my anxiety was higher than it had been in years, and I felt so unmotivated and if I am honest, I felt a bit lost. Now, as we approach Autumn, I feel like I have been designful with my choices and my time, as well as finding real comfort and guidance in slow and gentle living. I feel the best I have felt in years.
Journal prompts - Explore, Dream, Muse
What do I love to do?
What did I enjoy doing this summer?
What would I like to try this new season?
Why not write a list of things you love to do, things you feel confident with. Next, write a list of things you would like to try. Don’t over think this, just allow your mind to be free… write anything and everything down. Even if some of your list is out of reach, just the invitation to dream is enough here. You may find some desires, a spark of creativity in there that demands more attention.
Autumn Wishes
"I can smell autumn dancing in the breeze. The sweet chill of pumpkin, and crisp sunburnt leaves."
– Ann Drake
As Autumn grows ever more present, I am looking forward to cosy vibes, candles, incense, blankets and warm fluffy socks. This season I want to feel inspired and I want to feel calm, at peace and happy. Autumn is fast becoming my favourite season, it feels like a warm hug. A season to look inward, use the changes of the natural world around us as a source of deep inspiration and really tune into our creative selves.
Journal Prompts - Slowing down
Describe your personal rituals or traditions during this season and why they’re meaningful
Reflect on the concept of “cosy” and how you create a cosy atmosphere for yourself
Describe your perfect Autumn evening … What would you do, what would you eat, where would you be?
Please do share your hopes and wishes for the coming season.
Until next time, have a slow and gentle week.
Love the word 'designful'!
Stunning