And Just Like That, It's October

Since hitting middle age, I find I'm a lot less inclined to just wish away entire chunks of my year. This has even become the case throughout my summers (and to a lesser degree, my springs). Nothing short of a minor miracle for someone who dislikes heat and tons of bright sunlight.

Time has really started whizzing by as I've gotten older, so every new month tends to bring a certain degree of "no, I'm not ready" with it. But there's something about fall that still leaves me mostly happy to see it anyway.

Over the years, I've gone out of my way to embrace seasonal hobbies to enjoy throughout the warmer months, so I have something to look forward to during the warmer, brighter half of the year – gardening, outdoor fire pit evenings, etc. But loving those periods still takes effort, especially when it gets hot.

But loving fall (and winter, too) comes very naturally to me. I love the short days and cooler weather. And I love the cozy blankets, hearty soups, and ongoing permission to dive back into all my favorite indoor hobbies that come with it all.

That said, I pretty much woke up this morning feeling ready to get back to work when it comes to improving various aspects of my life. It's that familiar fall energy kicking in.

Being Outside Has Regained Some of Its Appeal

There's always the possibility that we'll get hit right the fuck in the face with a dose of the intense Indian summer my area is known for before the end of the month. But generally speaking, it already "feels" like fall in Monterey.

Being active outside has felt a lot more appealing. I have some maintenance to do in the yard and whatnot, but after that, I'm ready to think about some fall planting (instead of simply shutting the garden down entirely until next spring). We're heavily into soup mode at this point, and I'd love to make some new things using homegrown greens or other veggies.

I also apparently felt like formally resuming my daily walks and virtual walking adventures on the little backyard track I have going out there. Those really helped back when I was actually consistent with them, but unfortunately, they're one of a bunch of good habits I fell off the wagon with during all the house cleanout stuff earlier in the year.

Walking, plus late-season produce gardening, plus low-key time investment in next year's spring garden sounds like a pretty good recipe for returning to a better-adjusted, more balanced me, though. Even just walking a little more often has felt really good.

There's Work to Be Done Indoors, as Well

I haven't made anywhere near as much progress with the interior of the house as I would have hoped this year, but I'm really determined to be able to at least decorate the main rooms of the house for the holidays. (I scored a couple of full-sized Christmas trees from Vine and everything.)

The back room can serve as a makeshift storage area until I can sort through all the boxes that are still left and find new homes for all the items. Then, with any luck, I'll actually be able to complete the rest as part of a possible spring cleaning project next year.

Wishful thinking, probably, I know. But if this past year has taught me anything, it's that more things are possible than I tend to think most of the time.

Samhain Is Like New Year's for the Pagan-Leaning

Which may explain why I always feel most inclined to start, relaunch, or revisit projects like these this time of year, even though that's not necessarily how most people would mark the occasion.

I always feel super energetic when the sun pipes down, and it's not so hot all the time. I also like that neighbors and passersby are less likely to be out and about enjoying the weather, so I can actually get things like yard work done without strangers or neighbors trying to talk to me.

Plus, I don't really feel much of a connection to my actual ancestors or anything, so I've never really felt like I could embrace that aspect of the season.

I always did like holiday prep and such when I was younger, though, starting in September once Halloween felt like it was just around the corner. I still love watching seasonal films, making comfort dishes, and planning fun things for Seth and me to do together.

I've been way too old for Santa Claus and that sort of thing for decades, but somehow this time of year still carries that special "something's coming" energy that I used to love when I was a kid.

And when I feel like "something's coming," I can get really super into getting ready for whatever that something is by taking the best possible care of myself and my surroundings. Even if it's just the usual winter hunker-down we eventually do wind up doing once it gets really cold.

Aside from the obvious – planning for Halloween, pulling cozy clothes out of storage, eating more comfort food, letting the pumpkin spice flow, and so forth – how do you like to welcome fall wherever it is that you live? What personal traditions help set this time of year apart for you and your loved ones?