Embrace Autumn

As the days get shorter and the air gets that perfect, crisp chill, autumn arrives to remind us that it’s finally socially acceptable to wear sweatpants all day. The transition from the bright, sweaty, "go-go-go" chaos of summer to the cozier, darker months of winter is a profound and much-needed experience. It's the moment when the light outside turns from a blinding, relentless glare to a soft, golden hue, and you can finally put away the flimsy sandals and the relentless pressure to look "summer-ready." In their place, you get to embrace the magnificent return of the chunky sweater, the soft elastic-waisted pants, and the absolute joy of a schedule that now includes "staying home and not doing a thing." The world, and our collective mood, just exhales in a long, satisfying sigh. It’s the seasonal equivalent of pulling on a favorite worn-in hoodie after a long day. Suddenly, walking on a sidewalk becomes a symphony of crunchy leaves underfoot, and the scent of woodsmoke promises nights filled with blankets and hot drinks. Embracing this shift and attuning ourselves to the season’s rhythms is really just an excuse to hibernate, eat everything in sight, and revel in the simple joy of not sweating profusely every time we walk to the mailbox.

One of the most glorious ways to welcome autumn is through seasonal rituals. The Autumnal Equinox is a powerful time to reflect on the balance between our vibrant summer self (who was, let's be honest, exhausted) and our cozy autumn self. A simple ritual could involve creating a small shrine to the season, like a coffee table piled high with cozy blankets, a suspiciously large number of pumpkin-flavored items, and candles that smell vaguely like a cinnamon factory exploded. You can also write down all the things you’re happy to let go of from the past year (like wearing jeans with actual buttons), and burn the paper to symbolize letting go and welcoming new, stretchy-pants energy.

Energy work during this season is all about grounding... on the couch. As the veil between worlds is said to thin around Samhain (Halloween), our sense of laziness can become more heightened. Practices like mindful walking to the kitchen for a snack, feeling the cool floor beneath your socks, and visualizing yourself as a very content, slightly lumpy log can help you stay centered. You can also burn a fall-scented candle to clear out the lingering energy of social obligations and create a perfectly peaceful sanctuary for the colder months.

And then there's the main event: Samhain, or as it’s more commonly known, "that time when you get to eat a ridiculous amount of candy." The holiday actually goes way back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced "sow-in," for those of us who have to Google it every year). It marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, which for them was basically the end of the world as they knew it—or at least the end of fresh produce. The Celts believed the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest on this night, allowing spirits (and presumably, a few lost farm animals) to wander the earth. To avoid any ghostly shenanigans, they would light huge bonfires and wear costumes to trick the wandering spirits into thinking they were one of them. While we prefer to think the spirits are just popping by to check out our costumes and see if we have any good chocolate, the core idea remains the same: it's the perfect time to embrace your inner spookiness by dressing up in a ridiculous outfit that's secretly a glorified pair of pajamas and then scaring yourself silly with a movie marathon. Just remember, a truly good Halloween is about embracing the absurdity and getting a sugar rush so intense you could probably fly.

Food and meals are absolutely central to the celebration of autumn. This is a time to indulge in heavy, soul-hugging, and warming dishes that prepare you for the inevitable food coma. Think about root vegetables—potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes—which were buried in the dirt just like you're about to be buried under blankets. A great ritual is to roast a giant pan of them, tossed with olive oil and herbs, and then spend the next three days eating them straight from the fridge.

For a true autumnal experience, nothing beats a simmering pot of soup or stew. These are not just meals; they are liquid hugs in a bowl. You can throw in any leftovers you find and call it a "rustic harvest medley." Just make sure it's thick enough to require a spoon and not a straw.

And of course, we must discuss baked goods and spices. This is the season when the spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and ginger—crawl out of the back of the pantry to announce their presence in everything from cookies to pies. The smell of a cinnamon-sugar crumb cake baking is basically the official siren song of autumn, luring you off the path of a healthy diet and into the warm, doughy embrace of pure comfort. Sharing a warm meal with loved ones is a ritual in itself, a communal feast before the long, silent winter of our nap-filled discontent.

Don't forget the drinks! This is the only time of year when it's appropriate to consume hot apple cider and not feel judged. You can even make it a ritual by adding a cinnamon stick to your mug and pretending you're a wizard brewing a magical potion.

Embracing the darker season isn’t about waiting for spring, but about finding a twisted sort of beauty and a cozy purpose in the present moment. By incorporating these silly rituals, chill energy practices, and comforting foods into your life, you can celebrate the transition of the year and create a sense of harmony with the dark, empty void that is your schedule.

Recipes for the Darker Days

Cozy Butternut Squash Soup

This soup is so warm and comforting it's basically a hug in a bowl. It's the perfect way to feel like you're a sophisticated, woodsy person who just foraged their own vegetables, even though you probably just bought a pre-chopped bag from the grocery store.

• 1 butternut squash, peeled and cubed

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 4 cups vegetable or chicken broth

• 1/2 cup heavy cream (or coconut milk for a dairy-free version)

• 1 tsp nutmeg

• Salt and pepper to taste

• A dollop of sour cream or a sprinkle of toasted pumpkin seeds for garnish

Method:

1. Sauté the onion and garlic until soft.

2. Add the squash and cook for a few minutes.

3. Pour in the broth, bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until the squash is tender (about 20 minutes).

4. Blend until smooth using an immersion blender or a regular blender (carefully!).

5. Stir in the cream, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Serve hot and pretend you didn't just get it all over your sweater.

Seriously Comforting Shepherd's Pie

This is not a fancy meal; this is a meal that says "I'm exhausted and I need something meaty and carby immediately." It's the ultimate edible blanket.

• 1 lb ground beef or lamb

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 carrots, chopped

• 1 cup frozen peas

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

• 1 cup beef broth

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 tsp dried thyme

• 2 lbs potatoes, peeled and mashed with butter and milk

• Salt and pepper to taste

Method:

1. Cook the ground meat until browned, then drain the fat.

2. Add the onion, carrots, and garlic, cooking until vegetables are soft.

3. Stir in the flour and cook for one minute.

4. Add the broth, tomato paste, and thyme. Bring to a simmer and let it thicken. Stir in the peas.

5. Pour the meat mixture into a baking dish. Top with a glorious layer of mashed potatoes, making sure to create little peaks with a fork.

6. Bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

Foolproof Apple Crumble

Because who has the energy to make a whole pie crust? This is the lazy person's dream dessert. It's warm, gooey, and smells like pure happiness.

• 4-5 apples, peeled, cored, and sliced

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

• 1/2 cup sugar (for the filling)

• 1/2 tsp cinnamon (for the filling)

• 1 cup all-purpose flour

• 1/2 cup rolled oats

• 1/2 cup brown sugar

• 1/2 cup cold butter, cubed

• A pinch of salt

:

1. Toss the apple slices with lemon juice, sugar, and cinnamon. Place them in a baking dish.

2. In a separate bowl, mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, and salt.

3. Cut in the cold butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Use your hands, it's more fun.

4. Sprinkle the crumble mixture evenly over the apples.

5. Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 35-45 minutes, or until the topping is golden brown and the apple filling is bubbly. Serve warm with ice cream or custard and a huge smile.