Autumnal Vibes



Two Mice in the Fall
Pen and watercolor pencils

October is my favorite month of the year. In addition to being the month of my birthday and Halloween, it also signals the beginning of autumn, which is my favorite season. The changing colors of the leaves, soft sweaters, crisp weather that is perfect for long walks, and pumpkin infused treats, are all the sweeter after a brutally hot summer. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, I always enjoyed the autumn months, but as an adult living in the Pacific Northwest, I have a real appreciation for the changing of the seasons, and always look forward to this time of year.

This season is also beneficial for my productivity. I don’t know that I am necessarily more creative in the cooler months, but I do find that I am more focused on getting things done. Spring and summer have a slower, more casual pace to them, and I don’t feel quite as determined and efficient as I do in the autumn and winter. In the warmer months, I tend to write a lot of lists of ideas and of things I want to do; the cooler months are when I am more inclined to actually sit down with those lists and get to work on them.

So, with the start of autumn, I will be going through my lists, and beginning the process of following through on ideas, tasks, and plans. It feels cozy and comforting to light a stick of incense or a candle, put the tea kettle on, and sit at my desk with purpose. As I write this post, it is overcast, but still warm enough to have the window open, but just chilly enough to need a light sweater. With a freshly brewed cup of tea in hand, I am ready to get down to work.


   





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