saying goodbye to summer

some words and prompts on finding closure, easing into autumn & trying to be okay with the darker months

It is officially autumn.

I mentioned in a recent post that I wanted to soak in as much of summer as I could and fully embrace the 5th season of late summer. Still, England has been quick to throw a cold chill in the air, prompting me to go out and buy autumn home decor and run to light candles in the shadow of the moon’s nightly shift. Speaking of the moon, did you see the full moon last Wednesday? It was absolutely perfect. Clear skies and an almost-blinding glow poking just above the trees outside of my window—that is one of life’s moments I breathe for.

Every time someone asks me what my favourite season is, I automatically think of autumn. I live for feeling comfortable and cosy and that is what autumn is all about. As much as I love the heat of summer on my back, picnics, reading in parks, staring at clear, vibrant blue skies, and as much as I love the anticipation of spring and watching the world wake up from a long slumber, an excitement stirs in me in September. September is so distinct. It has the same energy as October and December, Halloween and Christmas. February doesn’t have quite the same appeal. Although uncomfortable at times, you can always rely on the months closing out the year to be freezing cold. April, May, June—you never know what you’re going to get.

Saying goodbye to summer is always difficult, but this year I think I did it right. I think it’s because I learned about late summer, so I was able to use that time to slowly adjust to the changing scenes outside my window. I knew what moment I was in. I knew as I watched the sky become a little dimmer and lose that essence of summer I so adore. But I was okay with it.

Later today, I think I might go out and pick up some orange and browning leaves to decorate the apartment a little more. I am learning to embrace this beauty of decay rather than dread it. And I think it’s because I found closure in summer ending first.

Now I want to reflect on summer with you. So I’ve prepared some journal prompts for you to use to find your own closure if you need it.

Saying goodbye to summer:

• What was your most treasured summer memory?

• What will you miss about summer?

• What is something you want to do differently next summer?

• How did summer make you feel overall?

• Will you miss summer? Why?

• What are some of the ways you’re marking the end of summer? (E.g. putting summer dresses away, buying autumnal decor, etc.)

Saying hello to autumn:

• Write a list of all the words you associate with summer and then do the same for autumn; what differences do you notice? How do these differences make you feel?

• Will you decorate your home for autumn? Why or why not?

• What is one thing you’re most excited about this season?

• How can you make this season more welcoming or exciting for yourself?

• What are some ways you can occupy yourself this season?

• What are some ways you’re marking the start of autumn?

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Happy autumn all :’) I hope September has been treating you well. Personally, I am so ready to hit all the London parks and take millions of photos of orange, red, yellow and brown leaves and stomp about in my Chelsea boots (which I really need a new pair of… Any recs are v welcome). Are you excited for autumn?

Thank you for reading today’s post! I’ve got some lovely things lined up for the rest of the month (look at me little miss productive!) and I’m so excited to share these things in my head with you. Thank you as always for being here <3

See you next week!

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