Autumn has been my favourite season from the moment I first got to experience it in America – which was long before it became an Instagram trend to go to pumpkin farms, order Pumpkin Spiced Lattes the minute they arrive at Starbucks and spend a silly amount on new snuggly jumpers.
Though I do love all of those things now.
In my mind, America just nailed autumn (and still does). From the crazy Halloween displays and massive crowds of trick-or-treaters, to the breathtaking nature and crisp cold days, I fell in love with something that unfortunately I couldn’t call home.
But over the years I’ve realised that in autumn, England is thriving, and because of that so am I. Here are a few reasons why.
Exploring the great outdoors
I’m not one for spending tons of time outdoors, but in autumn I’m desperate to get out and breathe in some truly fresh air.
England might not be the *most* amazing country during this season (America and Canada, I’m looking at you) but it’s still pretty beautiful if you just look around.
Golden orange leaves, crispy bracken, shiny conkers, sprouting holly, chunky pine cones and pretty mushrooms are everywhere – and they make for great photos if you love that dark, moody vibe on your Instagram (like me).
We finally found time to head out on our first walk of autumn at the weekend and I loved spending our Sunday afternoon to explore my favourite local woods.
Better still, make a day of it and explore some of our country’s locations best known for quaint remote escapes. The Cotswolds, Peak District and Yorkshire Dales are all on my autumn travel bucket list.
Embracing fresh starts
No, I’ve not got September confused with January. To me September was always the month for fresh starts.
We’ve probably all experienced starting a new year at school after a long summer of being lazy, a new induction at college (for me) or university (for others), perhaps even a new job from time to time.
The start of autumn is an opportunity to reset, and every year I’m reminded of those fresh starts and that buzz of excitement that came with them. Even down to the dull days of trundling up the hill from the bus stop with a bag full of books and a packed lunch.
Darker nights and drizzly days
Winter sees relentless rain, spring is usually a bit awkward weather-wise and summer is just wildly unpredictable. But when autumn arrives in England, it’s exactly what you’d expect – darker days, drizzle and a chill in the air.
I know that some people loathe these changes, especially those with Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I eagerly anticipate their arrival every year.
There’s just something unbelievably comforting about coming home from work to the sound of the heating clicking on, being chilly enough to spend the evening under a blanket and having an excuse to light my latest Homesense candle.
And if I can hear rain beating down on the windows, I’m in my element.
At this time of year, England isn’t disappointing. It’s just exactly how you’d expect it to be.
Nesting begins at home
Not nesting as in preparing for the arrival of a baby, but instead preparing your home for the colder months.
For me that means Halloween decorations – followed by Christmas decorations – a few more candles than probably necessary, picking up some feel-good food during the weekly shop and treating yourself to a decor refresh for the new season.
For me that’s these new IKEA cushion covers, which are giving me all the pumpkin spice vibes yet still fit my Moroccan bedroom theme for the rest of the year.
I loved our apartment, but having our new home this year has made me appreciate the little things so much more.
Christmas spirit is (almost) in the air
Winter might not be my favourite, but I do love Christmas.
Generally speaking everyone is a little more cheerful, there’s a sprinkle of magic around, you start to get excited about buying gifts for loved ones and planning your feast, and you might be organising some fun festive projects at work (I’m doing this right now and it’s great).
I always think there’s something really special about bustling Christmas markets in London, or those tiny villages where the air is filled with the smell of logs burning in a nearby fireplace.
Knowing all that is to come just weeks after autumn is pretty exciting, isn’t it? Even is the C word has rudely robbed us of our festive events this year.
Maybe at first I seem like another autumn-loving cliche on your social media, but autumn in England is so refreshing and I think there’s an awful lot to love about it.
Tell me what season you love the most below! (If it’s not autumn we can’t be friends. Joke, sort of.)
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