Five simple self care tips for autumn
I sometimes think that September feels like a softer version of January. It holds a bit of that feeling of a fresh start, but without all the noise, expectation and pressure. At least that’s how it often seems to me.
We’re all super good at looking after the other people in our lives, but not always so careful to take good care of ourselves. And as autumn and winter creep up on us, it’s really easy to do less of the things we know make us feel good. We move less, we get less light, we often see people a little less and the days get shorter and, at the same time, busier!
So here are five simple things I try to come back to at this time of year to look after myself. Because I know that when I do, it ripples out to everyone around me too. I cope better, I have more to give, and I generally feel like I can do life a little bit better. Which makes me feel good, so I’m more likely to keep doing the things that make me feel good. A little upwards spiral, if you like. And I really like that.
No 1 Get outside early while we still can!
I’m a really big fan of going for a walk. There’s good reason to get some daylight first thing too. Morning light helps set our body clock, which in turn can help us feel more awake during the day and ready to wind down when bedtime comes around.
I’m fortunate that I can take myself for a walk first thing, but even if you can’t, maybe you can head outside with your first cuppa of the day? It doesn’t even have to be sunny. Just getting outside into the morning light counts.
No 2 Make something warm
One of the small joys of the weather starting to get a bit chillier is soup season. Yay!
Tam, queen of all delicious cooking and baking at TKH HQ, has just made her first batch of roast pumpkin soup and tells us it’s delicious. Here’s the recipe if you don’t want to just take her word for it. And if soup’s not your thing, how about a big bowl of porridge, or a cosy hot chocolate to give you that Ready Brek feeling in your belly? (If you grew up in the 80’s you’ll know what I mean)
No 3 Create a cosy evening rhythm
I’m not really one for morning or evening routines. In my experience they just make me feel like I’m a great big failure when I don’t manage to keep them up. But as I’ve gotten older and understand myself more, I’m better at settling into something while it works, and accepting that it might not work forever. And that’s okay.
So I let myself create little rituals in the evenings when they feel good, without needing them to become a permanent thing. For me, right now, as the nights begin to draw in, I’m getting my PJs on and my make up off as soon as I get home from the bakery, lighting a candle under a Freckleface wax melt, pulling on a pair of snuggly socks and putting on a gentle autumn playlist while I make dinner. It just helps me to get out of work mode and into cosy mode.
Nothing particularly exciting or special, Just tiny things that make a regular Tuesday evening feel a bit lovelier.
No 4 Don’t try to squeeze the most out of every minute
This one’s a reminder for me as much as it is for you. It’s okay to leave space for things that don’t feel productive. In fact, I think it definitely makes life feel a bit better.
I’m as guilty as anyone of trying to fit too much into a day and forgetting that ‘doing nothing’ time is important and valuable. I still really struggle with it, so I’m currently using the First This podcast to carve out ten minutes to breathe and be still.
I’m generally pretty good at ‘Caroline time’. There’s plenty of it available (a silver lining for us of being a family of just two). But I find it hard to escape the need to fill that time with things that are productive. It’s really challenging to let some of the day just be empty space. The weird thing is, though, that when I manage to do that, the days actually feel longer, not shorter. And I want more of that, please.
So let’s try together to leave a little bit of space in the day where we’re human beings, not human doings. Sit and drink a cuppa without a distraction. Read a few chapters of a good book. Maybe even just stare out of the window and watch the world go by. We are allowed to rest - we need to keep remembering that.
No 5 Stay connected
I can feel the energy ramping up already as the last quarter of the year sneaks in, and I know that as life gets busier, it’s easy to find less time to stay connected. A little retreating is good, for sure, but it can be a lonely time too. So keep checking in on the people you care about.
And the lovely thing about doing something kind for somebody else is that, as the doer, you get the feel good vibes from it too. It’s a win win. So send someone a message. Arrange a cuppa date. Pop round if you can. And if they’re not close by.. well, you can always send them a biscuit.
