On Autumn

"Autumn is about reinvention, hibernation and fresh starts"

I’ve been feeling a bit glum about the end of summer. 

Almost all of that is due to the weather. For those of you not based in Ireland, it rained everyday in July and most days in August. We did have some nice weather in early June and early September, which coincided nicely with my two trips to Italy. When it was sunny in Ireland, I wasn’t here to enjoy it. It’s probably hard to feel too sorry for me - I was off enjoying the sunshine in Italy - but I have been feeling a smidge sorry for myself. 

I also got a flu shot during the week, which left me feeling sludgy and sore for a few hours. Mid sleep, I imagined a submarine surfacing and then deciding against it and let myself be dragged into the deep, dark quiet of sleep. 

I went back to a piece I wrote in Autumn 2016, 8 long years ago. Back when we thought Hillary Clinton would be President and I had no idea what a coronavirus was. 

I wrote (in part): 

“I always arrive into Autumn with a sigh of relief. Temperamentally, it's the season I’m most suited to. I’m introverted, home bodied. 

The air is quicker, thinner, cooler. The weather damper, heavier, crisper.

Summer is when things go slack. It demands sloth which doesn't come easily to me.¹ The industriousness of autumn is more my style. I am better when there is momentum and focus.

Summer is all blue sky, white clouds, green grass, BORING. 

Autumn is colourful. Every day you step out into the world, it looks slightly different. Nature’s colour palette deepens and ripens. 

Autumn is warm pantry staples, pots of things bubbling on the cooker, curry and soup and hot bread from the oven. 

Sartorially, Autumn works for me. I like dressing modestly, covering my toes, my ankles, my elbows, my shoulders. I like big forgiving jumpers, warm tights, wooly hats and big coats. In Autumn, my calves can grow furry as my skin can stay covered.

Autumn is about reinvention, hibernation and fresh starts. It's about decluttering and new thinking and the final drive to GET THINGS DONE. September is a nicer version of January. All the optimism of a fresh start, with none of the misery. I like the burst of activity (Autumn) leading to a burst of socialising (December) leading to a big, long rest (Christmas & New Year).

Autumn is productive, nature is doing its jobs before sleeping for the winter. The perfect Autumn has the correct balance of comfort and intensity, professional focus as you drive toward the end of year deadlines and guilt-free hibernation. Autumn is a chance to get ready for a brittle, brutal winter.”

It’s nice to revisit what I wrote before, in a completely different season of life. It’s nice to see that, despite all that’s changed on the outside, I am still essentially myself. 

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Recommendations

🥣 In keeping with the theme, I made a soup strategy inspired by this thread this week. It’s behind a paywall, but my first two soup priorities are a Roberto and this Broccoli Cheddar soup. 

🌰 Highly recommend picking a few acorns and leaving them on your desk. Bring back the Nature Table! 

🌶️ Made this chili which was good but I’ll dial up the spice next time. I also subbed in fake meat rather than mince which worked fine. 

📚Currently reading

Fariha Róisín

’s “Who is Wellness For?” which is very, very good. She also has a great Substack.  

📺 I’ve one episode left of Season 2 of ‘And Just Like That’ which wasn’t very good, but it was quite comforting. 

🎧 Devouring so many Zadie Smith interviews at the moment. This was a favorite. And also this one. 

🎧 I also hadn’t heard this episode of Criminal about The Magdalene Laundries. 

🙏 Lastly, huge thanks for the support for my new Survivors on Screen series. I’ve been working on it for so long and am delighted that it’s finally available to read.

1. I've gotten a lot better at this in the last 8 years!