Is anyone else finding this autumn extra hard?

[dongbibi]

I don’t know if it’s just me, but this autumn feels especially heavy. The darker evenings seem to have come out of nowhere, and I can’t quite shake that low-level tiredness that hangs around all day. I usually love this time of year — cosy nights, candles, all that — but right now it just feels like everything’s a bit of a slog.
Maybe it’s the back-to-school chaos or the constant rain, but I’m struggling to find the energy for anything beyond the basics. Even simple things like cooking dinner or sorting laundry feel like such effort.
Anyone else feeling the same? How do you lift yourself out of that autumn slump? I keep thinking I should make more plans or go for walks, but all I want to do is curl up on the sofa and ignore my to-do list.

No, it’s wonderfully mild. I was out in a t shirt yesterday!

I feel a bit like this too, @dongbibi I am trying to relax into it a bit, do some of my list but not all, and break the non-negotiable “To Dos” into more manageable chunks. And also factor things in that I actually want to do, at a level/pace I feel I can cope with. That’s helped a bit. I have also privately decided that if I need to take a strategic duvet day/half day, I am going to take one. I did that about six months ago - just having a whole day for me made a big difference. I didn’t stay in bed in the event - I got up slowly, made myself a nice breakfast, went for a walk, sat outside a cafe drinking coffee and watching the world go by and then booked myself in for a spontaneous massage. It reset me. I feel this autumn is busy and whizzing by and so there’s less time than usual to enjoy it. On Saturday night I made a nice dinner, lit all the candles, fully embraced the sofa and enjoyed it. Getting out into the garden/local park helps too - fresh air, light, watching the changing leaves is quite consoling for me. And I am trying to go to bed a bit earlier, too. And be a bit more meticulous about taking my supplements - especially Vit D, Vit B, Magnesium and Zinc. Book a blood test with your GP practice in case you are low in iron or something that may be causing fatigue. But sometimes we just feel a bit depleted and out of sorts and rest, calm and leaning into the feeling is what is needed. We are all under so much pressure to be busy and productive all of the time. Look after yourself.

I’ve wondered if it’s because we’ve had such a long and good summer that it feels like it’s hitting harder than usual?

It’s mid October and I’ve only had the heating on a couple of times for a couple of hours -and that’s in Scotland!!

It kinda came out of nowhere this year we went from heatwave to pouring rain then warm and fairly dry now this dull dampness im very heat intolerant so I missed summer i was hoping for a bit of a crisp autumn! Instead I am popping vitamin D to stave off the inevitable slump its partly successful maybe try that?

I think it depends where you are. Here in the south we have had mild sunny days so that it doesn't feel like autumn at all. I still have summer bedding plants in full bloom.

Yes. It feels like it's killing me to do anything. The bright summer really lifted me.
Two weeks until clocks go back. Then a horrible slog until mid-winter and Xmas, bit of a break when I'm off work, then a 6 week drag until Feb half term while worrying about weather damage and damp in the house and garden. I'll perk up late March.

constant rain? Where do you live?
I do feel like the trees have turned earlier than I remember and we've had a lot of dull, low cloud days, which are pretty miserable even if it is relatively mild. It's really dark here this morning and last night I had the lights on by 5pm.

Im the opposite but that's only because in the south its been warm and sunny. As soon as the cold hits I know my mental state will plummet especially as my physical health is very bad due to a worsening of my chronic illnesses..

Agree. My cosmos look better than they did in the summer, geraniums and roses on second bloom too.

I'd love a bit of rain. I've had to water the pots for the last few weeks. And only had the heating on for the children in their rooms. No heating needed downstairs yet.

And I wish the bloody grass would stop growing!

If your body is telling you to curl up on the sofa then why not do that? Obviously not for days or weeks on end, but maybe it’s a sign that you need a bit of a break?

I feel opposite this year. It's still quite warm where I am (no need for a coat during the day) with not much rain. I was thinking yesterday how pretty all the trees were in their different colours. I'm not looking forward to it getting darker and colder though.

I would say yes but I think I remember a similar thread this time last year.

I was like this last year, couldn’t get through the day without a nap! Eventually I went to the drs & it turned out I had seriously low vitamin d levels. I now take it everyday & feel totally different. Might be worth a try?

Can anyone recommend a Vitamin D to take pls...Im assuming cheap Aldi vitamins will be no good.

Where do you live? We have had hardly any rain in the south. Maybe as we had such a fab summer it’s feeling hard for you?

I think Aldi vitamins will be fine. You pay more for a brand name. Look and see what the Daily percentage levels are on the packaging. Most are the recommended daily allowance.

No.
What I find extra hard since childhood is Spring.
How I would cut that season out altogether.
Sorry 😐 everyone is different.

I had prescription vitamin d from the drs for a while because my levels were so low she said I wouldn’t be able to buy anything over the counter that was strong enough!
Since then I use a spray (you can get them from health food shops/pharmacies etc.) as I think it’s better absorbed than a tablet.

I’m just feeling really down this year. Even bright days aren’t lifting me.

Constant rain? Not here in the South East - it hasn't really rained for weeks it seems. Still warm enough in the day for a coat to be optional and the heating definitely not on yet.

No, not at all. I'm enjoying extra hard because summer was hot and bright. I love the cool crisp air and the leaves. I adore autumn fashion and food, as well. I truly come alive during this season. July is my least favourite month.

It sounds like maybe you're a bit under the weather or low on iron rather than Autumn is making you feel like this.

It's been dry, mild with a fair bit of sun here so I can't complain.

I’m up in Cumbria and we haven’t had constant rain here either . A few days of heavy rain, but nothing major. It’s been warmer than usual too (although I’m always freezing anyway) so I’ve been loving it. I’ve been able to do lots of long dog walks which weren’t possible in the summer.

What rain?

Yes, really hard. Loved the summer, then sept 1st and bam! Feel very overwhelmed with everything and even though I am juggling it all it feels very hard and like it might all crash down. Am trying to walk after tea etc but it’s not much fun in dark! Think I def have SAD. Xx