Autumn makes me happy

I think everyone has a favourite season, whether it’s winter with Christmas and snow, or summer with the sunshine and days out. For me, it has always been Halloween season, autumn makes me happy, and I feel like I wait all year for the change in season. There are many reasons why we love a certain season, I am sure you have your own and please share them in the comments. But for now, I thought I would share why I love autumn so much.

How seasons affect chronic illness

This blog is full of me talking about my battles with chronic depression, and for me it tends to rear its head in winter or summer. I honestly think it is because I rarely get to just go for long summer walks in the forests surrounding our small town due to my chronic fatigue and pain. That spoils the summer for me, and then the winter is always tinged with sadness since my grandparents passed away and I cannot spend time with them on Christmas day.

So, spring and autumn have always been my happy places, and if I am honest, it is mainly because the weather is usually better. I find my pain and fatigue are worsened if it is damp and cold, or too dry and hot, spring and autumn it is usually dry and just the right temperature.

These are reasons that are very personal, everyone’s body reacts differently to the weather, however chronic illnesses do tend to be sensitive any changes. This means that we can usually feel when the weather changes because it affects our tendons, ligaments and joints. It can also trigger migraines and so you will usually find that people with chronic illnesses are better or worse in certain seasons.

Now, this year in England has been very unusual, apart from a few sunny days, most of the year has been overcast and cold. It has really affected my chronic pain and causes me to have more headaches and problems with my sinuses than I generally have. This autumn is already a lot colder than usual, and I am considering putting my winter thick bedding on already!

Staying warm is never easy for those of us who are chronically ill, because we don’t move around as much as most people. We tend to have to rest more regularly, and this means that we need to do more to keep warm. On top of this, energy prices have just risen here in England, and with many disabled people unable to work, it can be that we have to not turn on our heating.

50% of people in poverty are disabled, or they live with someone who is disabled, let that sink in. The rises in energy and food prices are going to affect those of us on disability benefits with many of us having to choose between them. Nobody should have to choose between eating or heating, and yet we are going to see that more and more.

All of these factors can explain why we may lean more towards one season rather than another. It might also explain why so many of us are struggling at the moment and are worrying about the benefits system. Especially, as the Labour government are echoing the Conservatives call for disabled people to go to work, something that I find very scary to hear.

But before I get all political, I do want to talk about why autumn makes me happy:

Why Autumn makes me happy

• Changing colours – I must admit I love the changing colours of the trees and seeing everything take on a warm glow of reds and oranges. I am also a big fan of pumpkins; I love to use them in my decorating, and I must admit I am a basic pumpkin spice kind of girlie.
• Halloween/Samhain – I am a practicing witch, so Samhain is celebrated, and I start to do more work with my ancestors. I also love to watch scary movies every evening for the month of October. I just love the spooky feeling in the air as the veil thins and we can get closer to our loved ones who have passed.
• Getting cosy – This time of year is all about cosy blankets, knitted cardigans and jumpers and generally just feeling cosier. I love drinking more tea, and having more soup as well it just all makes me feel looked after and content.
• Gilmore Girls season – September means it is time for the yearly Gilmore Girls rewatch. I have just finished the follow up series and it always adds to my feeling of comfort and security that autumn brings.
• Letting go – Another part of my witchcraft practice is to let go of the things that have not been working in my life. I do a whole ceremony to let them go where I write them out and then burn them, so they leave my life. But another way is to throw them away or flush them down the toilet. Just like falling leaves, it is time to reassess, set boundaries and make strides towards a new year.

Let me know which season is your favourite and why in the comments I would love to know. For me autumn makes me happy, it always has and always will, and though I practice mindfulness I cannot help but countdown to it. I always feel like Jack from Nightmare before Christmas but hey people count down to presents and eggnog, right?

Thank you xx

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