Autumn is my favorite time of year. I get kind of giddy and excited when the weather starts to cool and the leaves start to turn color. There is so much to journal about, let me share some ideas with you.
MEMORIES OF PREVIOUS AUTUMN SEASONS
Over the years, have you experienced autumn in different areas? Do you have a favorite place you went to in years past? I cherish a childhood memory of traveling with my parents to northern Ontario, either camping or staying in a cabin, taking long walks through the spectacular fall folliage, collecting leaves to press between book pages to dry and making mounds of leaves to jump in.
WHAT DOES THE CHANGE IN SEASON SIGNIFY FOR YOU?
Do your chores/duties change? Does your schedule change at all? Maybe you have to rake leaves, clean out the chimney, etc. I have to get my garden pruned and clean it up before the first frost.
Do you get out to walk more or less? Do you exercise outdoors and if so, does the type of exercise change? I took up jogging this year with my dog and I’ve been out buying winter jogging gear. I’m not sure how I’ll feel about jogging in freezing weather but I guess I’ll find out soon enough.
DO YOU BECOME MORE OR LESS ACTIVE?
Do you get outdoors more or do you tend to stay inside and keep warm, snuggling up with a blanket and being a couch potato. Autumn is my favorite time to get out for photowalks, enjoying the crisp, clean air, the colorful landscape and photograph our local wildlife.
FAMILY OUTINGS OR EVENTS
Do you go to any fairs, go on a hayride or visit a pumpkin farm?
TRADITIONS
Do you or your family have any traditions now or in the past during autumn time? When my kids were young we would carve out pumpkins and we’d spend hours discussing and figuring out what Halloween costumes to put together.
MOVIES/SONGS/BOOKS
Do you have any favorites or are there any you are looking forward to? I always have a few horror shows picked out to watch. This year, I am interested in seeing Chilling Adventures of Sabrina (Netflix) and The Haunting Of Hill House (Netflix). I love the Purge movies so am anticipating watching the newest release, The First Purge.
WHAT DO YOU SEE, SMELL, HEAR?
Is there a chill in the air so the fireplace gets started up? Is it a wood burning fireplace? Is there a crispness to the air? Are the stores full of pumpkins and decorations? Have you seen any great Halloween costumes? I always look for candles at this time of year. Pumpkin spice, cinnamon and vanilla scents make me happy. Do you go for walks and hear the crunching of the leaves underfoot? Are the leaves falling off the trees, changing the view you see? As I walk Taz along the river front I can now see through the dense folliage to the rushing river that was hidden by the greenery throughout the summer and the river was quiet, barely a ripple.
WHAT DO YOU WEAR WITH THE CHANGE IN SEASON?
Do you get out the scarves and warm jackets? Do you put away the flip-flops and put boots on? I have a scarf addiction and wear scarves indoor and outdoors, every change I get. I just bought a couple of fleecy neck warmers to wearing jogging and with the temps dropping as they have been this last week, I think I’ll soon be wearing them, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. I love sweater weather (with a great coordinating scarf) and boots. Do you use am umbrella or are you more a ball cap or hoodie kind of person?
HOBBIES, PROJECTS
Do you have hobbies you do in the fall/winter time? I scrapbook more in the colder weather as I’m not outdoors as much, especially with the shorter daylight hours. I also tend to read more too as I snuggle up with an afghan in my chair. Are there household projects waiting to be done? One project I have started on is decluttering my basement and donating to charity items I haven’t used in a few years.
FOOD
Autumn for me is about comfort food. What about you? I get the crockpot out and start making stews, soups and casseroles. I also love all things pumpkin! Pumpkin spiced coffee flavor, pumpkin muffins, etc.
Autumn can mean something different to each person, so take some time to think about how the changing season affects you, what memories it evokes, what you might be anticipating. I hope my journal suggestions spark some thoughts and ideas.
Write out your story, or jot down key points, use a numbered list, whatever you prefer. For my layout, I chose a handwriting font to journal and added a few key points.
Leave a Reply