Thoughts on Autumn
Slowing Down to Enjoy the Season
It’s always been difficult for me to decide which of the seasons is my favorite. When asked, my first inclination is usually to respond that I mostly prefer “the next one.” Summers feel the most useful of the seasons, as they offer long days to complete tasks that have been accumulating on your to-do list over the year — hopefully not years. Conversely, winter feels the least useful with its short days and numbing temperatures. People get out out more in the summer and there seems to be a collective feeling of motivation and happiness among people. I’m sure it’s the agreeable weather that provides inspiration to be productive and cheerful. And while this past summer brought some of the most stifling heat I can remember, it was accompanied by little to no change in the positive summer outlooks (although the small talk became much more predictable). Maybe the summer heat of this year eventually got to me, because I’ve been ready for the transitional autumn months for a while now.
For me, the autumn season officially arrives when I inevitably find myself on a bike ride, cold, and in the dark. The date will vary, but the moment occurs every year and serves as my official notice that the seasons are changing.
From this moment on, the air carries with it new scents and sensations — or at least that’s when I start to notice. No longer heavy with humidity and the smell of freshly-cut grass, the breeze now delivers a briskness and a chill that carries the musky-sweet smell of fallen leaves and bonfires being lit. People burn wood in the summer, too, right? Maybe so, but autumn air seems to hold on tighter to the scents that awaken smoke-filled memories of cool evenings spent concentrating on the flickering flames of a warm backyard fire, until nothing remains but the soft glow of its embers.
Another of my favorite parts of fall is the more stylish clothing options available. As a father of two and a high school teacher, I enjoy dressing the part when I can, and the cooler temperatures of autumn are much more permitting. My summers are normally spent either wearing lycra on a bicycle, or the very casual look of a t-shirt paired with shorts. It’s practical, but I don’t expect GQ will be featuring my summer look anytime soon. Mens fashion seems to have fewer choices in the hottest months.
The cool autumn mornings of fall offer opportunities to wear warmer colors and fabrics. The technical fabrics of summer are replaced by cotton, tweed, and wool. In layers are earthy browns, tans and greens, and my Redwing boots begin to make frequent appearances again. Fall is a great time to unpack sweaters that have been hiding since spring and to bring your jackets and coats up from the basement or out of the storage closet. For those who enjoy fashion, fall is undoubtedly king of the seasons.
Each year I try to add a few pieces to my cool-weather wardrobe and this year I want to add the iconic Shaggy Dog sweater from J Press. These sweaters are timeless and were a favorite of John F. Kennedy, Cary Grant, and George H.W. Bush, among others. Deriving its name from its brushed Shetland wool (all the best things come from Scotland), the Shaggy Dog sweater is said to be lightweight, yet incredibly warm, and promises to never go out of style.
Autumn is when I also start thinking about getting cozy. Not with any particular article of clothing or under a warm blanket, but cozier in general — searching for a slower pace and enjoying the long exhale that follows a busy summer.
My Carmichael ancestry is Scottish, but there must be some Scandinavian roots somewhere there, too, because when I fist learned about the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”), I felt I’d been reacquainted with an old friend. Hygge is basically the concept of being cozy in body and mind. It’s admittedly a pretty vague concept, but each autumn I start taking unconscious actions aimed toward hygge. Fall is the most hyggelig of the seasons, not just because one can wear fuzzy socks while seated fireside on a cold night (Google hygge; you’ll see), but because my entire demeanor takes on a more comfortable and relaxed state. My mind calms from the hurried pace of the preceding months and I spend more time reading, writing, and thinking. Even my musical taste shifts toward a more classic style (Hoagy and Bing, not Beethoven), and I inevitably spend time reflecting on the traditions of my family.
I wonder if there’s a cyclical human need to cozy up to warm memories toward the end of a year, while the nature around us dries up and eventually falls to the ground?
In autumn, each day is shorter than the previous one, and over the past several years each autumn has also felt shorter than before. Ask around and the consensus seems to be that “it went from summer straight to winter.” That’s too bad, because fall has so much to offer. Fall is the slowing of a swinging pendulum as it approaches its highest point. As the pendulum bob slows, it also begin to accumulate potential energy. This is autumn — the time to slow down and recharge. From the hyggelig mind and body, to reflecting on family traditions, bonfires, and the best choices for fashion, it’s without a doubt one of my favorite, and most important, times of the year.
Be mindful this year of all that fall has to offer. Take time slow down and enjoy the season. Let yourself recharge. Breathe deeply the cool autumn air. And take notice of all of fall’s sights and sensations around you. It goes by quickly, so be sure not to miss one of the greatest times of the year!