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Did you know that you have a relationship with each season? Since we are well into autumn, it’s important to notice the connection we have with that season. Most people don’t think about a season having a relationship.
Your relationship with each season affects your life for positive or negative as you’re going through that particular time.
Autumn differs for everyone depending on the climate and the geography of where you live.
If you’re in the southern hemisphere you’re experiencing spring, you still remember autumn and your relationship to it. Wherever you are, ask yourself what you like about autumn. Follow up by reflecting on what you don’t like about this season. Just like any relationship, we have opinions about seasons. We each experience things uniquely, yet some things overlap with what many others experience.
Some of us live in the areas that have leaves on trees. Some of us don’t. Some of us face really cold temperatures, even in autumn. Many don’t.
In my experience living in Ohio, the kaleidoscope of trees includes gorgeous shades of orange, yellow, and red. Evergreens give just enough greenery to accent the deciduous tree colors this time of year.
I love the varied shaped leaves and how they fall. Some flip over and spin in a somersault fashion, some plummet straight down like an Olympic diver, some swing and sway in a zigzag pattern, and some float gently to the ground in a variety of ways.
Change surrounds us and affects all the senses. Autumn signals many changes.
Crisp air is a factor for most of us. The freshness of the air rejuvenates the sense of smell after the sultry summer.
The shapes and colors of the pumpkins, the gourds and the corn appeal to our visual sense. Their textures stimulate our tactile sense. For the olfactory sense, we have many strong, tangy smells, like apples and/or cinnamon, as they waft around us. The same for powerful spices and herbs. Taste buds enjoy them all.
In any relationship, there are some mixed mindsets. Having an assortment of feelings about this season, I grieve the loss of light and warmth.
The earlier evenings, take some adjustment. When I come to terms with less light and earlier evenings, I find ways I can enjoy it. For one, there is more snuggle time. Changes occur in the sunlight coming into the house at different angles.
With the cooling temperatures, humidity levels tend to drop, giving the air a fresher, lighter feel. That can be a relief, especially for those in the southern parts of the northern hemisphere.
Taste buds change from light meals to heavier fare. Squash comes into many recipes, along with chili on the chilly nights. Hardy thick stew replaces thin soup.
Sounds change. Leaf blowers are humming more often than lawn mowers. Crickets are quiet. Bees no longer buzz. The crackling of dry leaves under my feet, tingle my senses. Are you ready to make a pile of leaves and jump in the center?
There are three months of each season. Autumn’s months bring huge changes. There are distinct adjustments in length of daylight, fluctuations of temperature, from warm to cool, to cold.
The three distinct months go from dark to darker and darkest. There are noticeable changes in nature, climate, and the environment. In the first stage, leaves change color, if you’re lucky enough to have leaves.
At first, it’s exciting to see the colors and usually the weather is still warm enough. In the second stage, the weather gets colder while leaves fall. This is when I’m increasing aware that I’m missing the light and the warmth.
Then, in the third stage, the leaves disappear either by raking or mulching. By the time the tree branches are leafless, some of us are facing cold, gray days and decrying the inescapable abyss of winter. That’s how it occurs to me.
So, what are left are the unembellished tree branches. The beauty of the stark branch structure impacts my visual sense. Here’s where I see how unique each tree is. It’s when the trees are bare, that I can see the sunset through those branches. The view is so inspirational that I write about the sunsets throughout the leafless months.
Humans are not the only animals that are preparing for winter. Many birds, such as geese, migrate south to warmer climates, while mammals like squirrels gather food and fatten up. I do the same. I’m looking for comfort foods.
Some animals, like bears, prepare for hibernation, while I ponder if I could sleep through it. Knowing that’s a terrible way of looking at it, I made a long list of fun stuff to do in winter. A lot of what was on that list had to do with sweet desserts and sweet drinks. But alas, now my stomach can’t handle regular sugar or alcohol. So, I have to face the bleakness, … or change my attitude. It takes me a while to grieve the loss of warm weather and the extra natural light in summer.
Well, what stage of autumn are you in? How are you relating with it?
It’s harvest time. Many crops, like celery, collards, green onions, and root vegetables, are still growing in late autumn. Harvest festivals are often celebrated around this time. You may think you haven’t grown any vegetables or fruits, but you might have grown in your relationships. Maybe you’ve grown in your career? What harvest can you claim in some area of your life?
Consider what your relationship with autumn is. By making peace with it, you will have a happier relationship with autumn and life.
Meet the expert:
Her challenging background and struggling marriage gave her a profound understanding of relationships. Now, Marifran Korb coaches women Empty-Nesters, desiring a deeper connection with their spouse. She assists them in creating a plan for their midlife partnership.
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