Sadly, it’s now September, and I know some people are absolutely loving the fact that autumn is arriving. But I’m a summer person, and I am not liking the darkness coming in earlier, and that slight chill in the wind. So, how do you get yourself ready to accept that seasonal depression?

Take a holiday (yearly)

I am targeting this to people in my demographic (childless and had minimal chance to take a holiday during the summer months). Because taking a holiday in September is a) cheaper and b) a great way to introduce you to the autumnal/winter months. It doesn’t have to be big, but it must be something consistent for you. Every year, since my sister finished mainstream education, we have been taking our yearly family holiday in September (because we were no longer limited by a child who had to be in school in Sept).

We go experience the nicer hotter weather, and come back to the crisp late Sept/ early Oct air. Yes, it’s a jarring, but I always know that, when I pack for my return, I have warm clothes, and a jacket to embrace the colder weather. We normally miss the beginning of that weird time in the year when you wake up and it’s freezing and by lunchtime, you’re melting in your winter clothes. It settles my expectations for what’s to come, it’s a constant that I can rely on.

Make the most of the remaining hot days

I definitely am of the mind of seize every moment you can, and September does have a few roasty days, before we fall into the autumnal season officially. So, check those weather apps, and plan for those days. Have that BBQ, take the beach day and enjoy that sun. You’re not gonna see it in that way again for a good 6-8 months.

This is also cheaper than booking a yearly trip, if that’s not on the cards for you. Either way, summer doesn’t end abruptly (even if it feels like that), so embrace those hot days. Since they gradually go, it’s like the Earth gently easing you into autumn. And isn’t that nice of the Earth to do that for you?

Take up a “winter habit”

This might seem counterintuitive to my point above but hear me out. There will come a point, were some people (or yourself) don’t want to go outside, because it’s cold. Being social doesn’t feel worth the sacrifice of your toes to frostbite.

I do not mean take up skiing, but start adding the more winter friendly activities to your routine. Think cozy reading corners, or crocheting or just drinks, which get more festive with each month. Having that activity to your disposal, means on those days where you’re not feeling like going outside, but want to do something, you have an activity. And maybe you don’t mind rotting, but sometimes rotting away in winter just feels like perpetuating that seasonal depression.

Oodie on, fluffy boots a book and a cup tea.

Prepare your plants for winter

Now if you’re a plant parent, you know your plant babies may not be favourites of winter like yourself. So, to get you in the mood to prepare for those months, you should do the same for your plants. I’ll admit these last 4 years, I have been a ‘Let’s see if they survive the winter months’ kind of plant mum, but this year I am thinking of giving them a mini greenhouse, so a) I am not giving up my life savings to keep the house warm for them, and b) giving them a fighting chance to survive another year.

I am thinking of getting a tabletop indoor greenhouse for mine. I talked to a friend and she is using a heat mat under a cardboard box, that will sit her plants, to keep them warm. There are many ways to keep the plants from getting too chilly. Some cheaper than others, and more creative. It’s up to you to choose what’s best for your plant babies.

Summaries

And now you have reached the end of the post, just like we have reached the end of summer (lol). It’s ok to feel blue about it. But don’t drag this feeling through the whole season, because the winter months are long. And don’t even get me about when you get sick, you feel so much worse (if you can, sign up for the flu jab). So, take the advantage you have now, to gently ease yourself into winter mode. It’s ok I’ll be doing this with you, so you’re not alone.

Until next time 😊

TL;DR

- How do you get yourself ready to accept that seasonal depression?

- Take yearly break to mark the time of year is going to change (maybe you can go somewhere hot)

- Or make the most of the remaining hot days we get in September. (there aren’t many, but it’s a gentle ease into the autumn/winter months)

- Take on a winter habit – think cozy, think warm, think comfy. Start them now, and you will find it easier to transition to the earlier nights

- Don’t forget to prep your plants if you have them

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