How I Prepare for Autumn

 The leaf severed from its branch and floated its way down. I looked around and noticed that there had been leaves on street all along, but it was only now sinking in that autumn is here. Or "fall" as they say in North America. 

The Persians have it right when it comes to starting the new year. I love the Gregorian calendar, but who decided that the new year starts right in the middle of a season? Even 25th December would make more sense, considering that's when the days start to get longer again. Anyway, I digress. My point is, that this year, 21st September felt like a new start to me. The planet was shedding its skin, as am I. I'm currently powering through Day 4 of not smoking. I deleted my old schedule and made a brand new one. I'm swapping drink meet-ups for activity-based ones. 

This kind of weather reminds me of when I first moved to Canada. While the temperature was not unfamiliar, something made me feel like I was far on the either side of the planet. THAT was a fresh start if there ever was one! A 19 year old girl, still raw out in the world. Feet on a whole new continent. Not living with mom anymore. 

Anyway, I digress. Fall is always a nice time to change up routine. Here are a few things that bring me specks of joy while we're on our way to a foreboding winter. 

Cappuccinos

Mornings used to be my least favourite part of the day. 

Then I got to know coffee. Sometimes, I'll even look forward to it from the night before. I've set up my routine so that it's within reach even when I'm half conscious. It starts me off on an optimistic note. I'll be honest, I usually start mine with filter coffee, but I make sure to give the oat milk carton a good shake so I can feel a bit fancier. Right now, I'm at a cafe sipping on a real cappuccino. I guess my point is, while coffee is great in the summer/all year round, something about hot foamy cappuccino fits just right with this weather. I might even dabble in some pumpkin spice this year. Like a proper white girl.

Wardrobe

I love the look of a simple jeans and t-shirt, but I can only enjoy it for a limited time in the year. Am I alone in feeling this way? Summers require bare legs, and tights work better in winter. We have about 12% of those in a year, and today is one of them. Tights, boots, autumn hues: its their turn to shine! Bright yellows have turned into mustard, reds bleeding into maroon. It's a palatable transition into a foreboding winter. Speaking of palatable...

Soups!

While it rains on and off throughout the year where I live, autumn has enough chilly days for it to become soup season. I used to think making soups was the most difficult until I started making it. I mean, in general, I just like getting back into warm food. Risottos, pastas, oven-baked cookies...they just don't hit the same in summer. I love evenings where I curl up on my couch with my blankie, cat, and Netflix, slurping my delicious soup out of a cup. Perhaps a glass of red wine to sip on as I'm digesting.

(Indoor) Activities

From mid-spring to summer, it's a sin to stay inside. A sin. But autumn gives us an excuse to do so without feeling bad about it. While beers in a park is a great activity (and you can still do it in September and October), there's something about getting creative when it comes to leisure. Tonight, I'm trying out a new bar. Tomorrow, I'm going for karaoke. Mini-gold, rage room, bowling. Even the cinema. Wednesday is board game night. 

So yeah! I'm quite enjoying this new pace, this wholesomeness. 

And I look forward to April when I will start belonging to the outdoors again. ;) New beginnings are on their way.