To ask for tips in not feeling down as we approach autumn?

I can relate to the darkness panic. Have you encountered

https://amzn.eu/d/cpaWmF1

There's a Facebook group too

I don't actually mind autumn, in fact I rather like it, the cooler weather, the return to normal schedule, etc. What I find really hard is winter - particularly Dec, Jan, Feb. I really struggle with the short, dreary days and the long, dark nights. I'm a runner and I love to run before/after work and I'm dreading having to head out in the dark. Fortunately, I belong to a group who run together with running lights, but I'd much rather be able to head out alone as soon as I finish work, like I do the rest of the year.

I don't know what my advice to you is OP! What I do is get my head down and plough through, I have lots of lamps that I put on, I keep up my exercise regime, I take a holiday at new year somewhere sunny and I long for spring! Solidarity for us SAD-sufferers 💪

I'm thinking of getting a nice Autumn hanging basket and doing pots this year (winter pansies, primulas etc). I don't usually bother in summer, as I can't be bothered watering when there's a heatwave. I'm thinking with the rainy Autumn weather, I'll just have to feed them once or twice a week which I can probably keep on top of.

I've done a lot of little decorating jobs which needed doing around the house and had a big declutter, so the house feels more relaxing. I'm hoping that will help lift my spirits a bit as I normally feel awful during Autumn/Winter.

Do you have a garden OP? I’ve ordered some gorgeous tulips from Farmer Gracy and the thought of my garden in spring will help to keep me going through winter. I plant iris reticulata and early daffodils to cheer me up in the cold months after Christmas.

I started running last year, partly for fitness but partly to prioritise getting outside in daylight. I’ve found that 3 x a week really, really helped.

I find the dark days worse than the weather. I always buy a couple of new bright jumpers and cosy leisure things to cope with the weather, but the dark.....😒 I'm retired and make a point of going out every day it's not raining; I record/save good stuff off the tv/Netflix to binge (check every week what's coming up); I rediscover jigsaws (strong light, dining table) but what really helps me through the winter, and I know this sounds daft, is I count the days down. It starts 1st Nov (in my head) and ends 28/29 Feb - they're the months that sound wintry - get to end Nov, 1/4 way through, Christmas and end Dec, 1/2 way through, Jan (snowdrops are out and days getting bit lighter!!)....anyway, you get the picture. Perhaps we can have a thread to get us thro the winter when the time comes? X

I'm normally like this - I hate the autumn, nights drawing in, foreshadowing darker days and bad weather. However, I'm a keen gardener and this summer has been brutal for the garden, not to mention the countryside. I'm now looking forward to damper, cooler days and the promise of rain which will give everything a chance to heal. So, I suppose I'm reframing what the autumn and winter can do. I don't know if that helps??

I enjoy autumn and don’t hate winter but I do struggle with the dark evenings. I’m a runner so most years I sign up a local running challenge which is to run every day in November, it gives me a focus and forces me out to run in the dark. I find it bridges the transition into winter running and as the month goes on I like seeing the Christmas lights go up around where I live. As others have already said I also try to look for things to enjoy, like the beautiful autumn colours and cooler, fresher mornings.

Do something nice for someone else each day. Praise or thank someone at work (if it's deserved), tell someone they look great, buy a coffee for someone, send a nice postcard to your grandmother - any little thing. This helps me (so I can't pretend it's 'selfless'). Wishing you as good an autumn as possible.

I’m already anxious about winter and dreading it. This is going to sound bonkers and probably quite selfish, but mud is a big issue, muddy football kits from ds, and muddy dog. My life becomes a constant battle against mud, and the subsequent bloody laundry makes me want to cry or scream or both! My house is much harder to keep clean. Then there is the darkness, the long long evenings, and days when it never seems to get light at all. I’m starting to feel panicky just typing this out!

OP,

What is it, specifically, that you don’t like about autumn/ winter, OP?

I’m the opposite and would love to help x

Sorry got absolutely carried away with my autumn/winter fantasy craving that I forgot tips for OP🤦‍♀️

Get a SAD lamp. Lots of fun indoor stuff to get into as a form of distraction like crochet and knitting.

I love early autumn - September feels like the ‘new year’ because I’ve had children at school or been working in education for 27 years. I love the late harvest season and Halloween.

Once the clocks go back I start to dislike it. November is my least favourite month with the Christmas hype and busy nights out when it is usually cold and wet. I dislike going to and getting home from work in the dark. Our long shift can be 7.30-6.30! Not so bad when it’s light in morning and evening but depressing in the dark.

I don’t actually mind January even though it’s more wintery as the days are getting longer and you see early signs of spring. It’s also a hibernation month, Xmas is over and it is quiet socially.

To get through it - I autumn clean in September/October. Freshen the house, get throws out and thicker duvets from storage. I clean my winter clothes and hang them ready and put summer things away. I menu plan, book plan and think about settling with TV series. I prep the garden for winter so it blooms in spring. I can’t afford winter sun so have to change my mindset to cosy hibernation and down time.

Today I’m making most of the sunshine as looks like it’s cooling off next week here. However, we have had a lovely summer this year so doesn’t feel so bad approaching the ‘Ber’ months this year.

I really relate to this feeling of dread. For me it’s the loss of freedom to be outside too and the coldness indoors and out makes me feel down. Lots of great tips here. I managed to get through January this year by making it a preparatory month for the rest of the year but that was a first. Good luck to us all, good to know we’re not alone!

I know how you feel OP. It's especially bad if you work full time as you feel like you never see daylight. I'm trying not to get too down about it. I have ponies that I have to go to twice a day. In a way it does me a favour as I have to go out , whatever the weather. Invariably I feel better for it.

Beautiful post. Well said
Unless there is an actual SAD issue (try the light boxes) it's surely all about mindset?

🤣

Sorry. I did say they were probably rubbish suggestions 🤣

While it may be true that there’s ’no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing’, @stclementine , that doesn’t help when I fins winter clothes uncomfortable and a chore to put on. I hate all the faff leaving the house involves between November and late April.

I hate winter but I’m ok with autumn, even the drawing in of nights. It’s the cold I can’t handle. It makes me really depressed and is a vicious cycle. I don’t want to put on socks and boots and 50 layers so I avoid going out (even to things I enjoy) and that makes it all worse. January and February are awful and March is worse in many ways because the bastard often refuses to get any warmer. On and on it goes.

I don't like fairy lights and won't have lit candles in the house. If people give them to me I spend the year donating them to raffles.

I see the fans of twinkly and cosy and embracing autumn have landed. 🤑

Oh and fairy lights - not just for Christmas but around the house on mantelpieces, draping from cupboards etc. and candles too. Everywhere.

I’m one of those weirdos who loves autumn and winter. I’ve also found as I get older, I’m 51 now, that there is a lot to be said for a living in the moment approach to life. Get outside as much as you can ans adopt the Scandi attitude of no such thing as bad weather, only wrong clothing. Try and find things that bring joy to your life - for me it is the golden light in September and the leaves slowly turning orange. Or even the way so,e coloured glass looks with the sun shining through it. If you have a dog or even young kids, you can find joy in watching them play in piles of leaves. Treat yourself to something nice to wear or something nice for your home. If you like cooking then invest in a new cookbook like the ones about Italy or the med and soak up summer through food until it comes again.
probably all rubbish ideas, but these are things that help me get through some days.

I love autumn, the colours, cosy nights in, the clothes, walking in the crunchy leaves... however, I despise winter it makes me feel so depressed!