Seasonal Perspective

[William_Montgomery]

The wasps are drunk, the mushrooms are beginning to show themselves and the trees and hedgerows are full of offerings. It might be my favourite time of year, but it's a strange time of year too. It's so abundant, yet underlying that abundance there's a sense of decline.

Not in any morbid way, but coming into this time of year always pulls my mind towards absent friends, remembering people, time passing and the inevitability that we're all going to cross that river at some point. Those thoughts take up a more prominent position, but in a way that feels natural, rather than bleak.

It's like there is a seasonal shift in the mental landscape, and embracing it feels better than rejecting it.

Spring inspires motivation, planning and getting the work done. Autumn, though still active, seems to reward more contemplation.

Does the changing of the seasons alter the way you think? And, does your relationship with the seasons change as you get older?

 

[Toddy]

I have been very ill, and found myself almost desperately hanging onto the seasons. One after the other after the other. While in treatment I was totally isolated from the reality of that Winter and Spring, and had missed the Autumn changes too. I lost the Summer as well.
I didn't forage, I didn't prep for Winter, and you're right, I did think on those whom I had loved and who had gone before me. Not in deep grief, but in quiet memories and awareness of the years gone.

When I realised that I might well have time, real time left, It was somewhat of a surprise and a joyful oh, that the seasons were still waiting for me I smelled Autumn this past week, and the days (our Summer days are really long) are really drawing in already. It's a kind of urgent bustle to get stuff done, to see what's changing, what's going to need work.

We're awash with fruit up here this year. More fruit that we need or can even process. Freezers are already full, the Kilner jars are in rows, the drier and the herb airer are full, and we haven't even stripped the trees yet.
We used to say that that kind of year, a mast year with nuts, came before a hard Winter. Well, we're due a hard deep cold Winter, but with the changes in the climate, who knows ?
At least this Winter I'll be able to honestly out and about in it

M

 

[William_Montgomery]

I did think on those whom I had loved and who had gone before me. Not in deep grief, but in quiet memories and awareness of the years gone.

That's a nice way of putting it, Toddy.

I'm glad to hear you'll be out and about this winter. Sounds like you've been through it this last year.

 

[Chris]

Autumn and Spring feel like transitional seasons. Autumn feels like the warm, reflective and peaceful time before we head to bed before a cold, dark night. Spring the warm sunrise on the skin when you wake up after a cold night and feel the energy of the Sun charging the body and soul ready for the day ahead.

Mood and trains of thought certainly shift for me. I see Autumn as a celebration of the year that has been and the bounties of summer, with one last explosion of resources with the fungi and wildlife returning to activity as they stocks up for winter. Spending more time outdoors I have come to enjoy the winter rather than get the seasonal depression I used to get. But the transitional seasons are still my favourite.

 

[PoppyD]

I like all the seasons. But I am really not looking forward to this Winter. Roll on the Spring. Unless there’s loads of snows. Then I will be happy.

 

[Aristotle]

I like all the seasons. But I am really not looking forward to this Winter. Roll on the Spring. Unless there’s loads of snows. Then I will be happy.

Unlikely to be a cold winter, I'd have thought.

 

[JonathanD]

I used to get SADs really badly. I got those daylight spectrum bulbs and that relieved it quite a bit. But I haven’t had any problem for years and don’t need them now. It’s the quickness of the shortening days that’s annoying.

 

[Aristotle]

I like a warm summer day, but not hot with high humidity...

I quite like autumn as a time of the year, but it seems to start later than it used to.

This September does feel more autumnal as the summer was so hot and dry.

I like a cold and crisp winter day, not months of grey drizzle.

 

[William_Montgomery]

Spending more time outdoors I have come to enjoy the winter rather than get the seasonal depression I used to get.

I used to get SADs really badly.

As well as more time spent outdoors/daylight bulbs etc, were there any other lifestyle changes which helped to alleviate SAD/Seasonal Depression?

 

[Chris]

As well as more time spent outdoors/daylight bulbs etc, were there any other lifestyle changes which helped to alleviate SAD/Seasonal Depression?

I take Vitamin D supplements over winter, that might help. Pretty much every UK adult will be deficient in Vitamin D for half of the year.

But also done some CBT techniques to reshape how I frame winter in my mind, spending time trying to find and appreciate the things I love about it, and remembering that they’re things I don’t get to enjoy in the warmer months.

Completely changed my mindset about rain doing similar. When it rains, stand out in it and think “If I knew this was the last opportunity I will ever get to experience rain, what would I choose to absorb and appreciate about it in this moment?” - can apply that question to plenty of other things too.