October 21, 2019

Seasonal Contentment Syndrome


I was going to title this post "Contentment" and then I thought it seemed familiar so I looked back at previous posts and almost exactly a year ago I had a post with that very title. It wouldn't surprise me to find one with that title every October for as long as this blog has been around.



There is something about Octobers that amplifies all of my feelings. I love a little deeper, I smile a little bigger, I get a little quieter, I begin to slow down a little more and more than anything I feel a little more grateful. When you're grateful even chores can give you pleasure.



Things I'm grateful for today:
-A stormy Monday morning to begin a week with no obligations, other than the pleasant kind
-Lying on the sofa watching the rain fall through a crimson canopy of dogwood leaves
-Stairs for playing fetch with Clover when it's too wet to play outside
-Traveling with friends
-Traveling, just the two of us
-Having Emma home for the weekend
-Sitting on the sofa in the semi darkness with candles flickering and windows open
-Getting back to a routine
-Seeing the Village come alive in a riot of autumn color
-Studio time
-Finishing projects and beginning new ones
-Breakfast for dinner
-Solitude
-A husband who builds me a bonfire, tucks me in on a hammock, brings me wine in a jelly jar, delivers me a s'more and tells me I'm beautiful
-Thunder and lightning
-Contentment



So far life in the empty nest has been busier than I expected. I'm still figuring it out but truly enjoying the journey. I still long for more studio time and although Clover has calmed down considerably at the age of 2 (!!!), she still requires quite a bit of work and usually owns my mornings for the first two hours-if she has had the proper amount of physical and mental exercise. I'm so thankful that the hard core puppy days are behind us though. She's beautiful but...she's a pill. ;) The flow of life is different now. We are more spontaneous than before. There is a shift that happens when you don't have any children to consider. There haven't been a lot of weekends that we've been home and it's been just the two of us, but when it happens there is a lot of hobby time and an easy, unplanned flow to our days. While things are not getting marked off of our to do list with any regularity, we are enjoying every moment of it.


Autumn is well and truly here in the midwest. It seemed awfully slow in arriving but seems here to stay. This marks the beginning of my favorite time of year when I embrace all the cozy things. I was Hygge before I knew what Hygge was. What do you like most about this time of year? I'm looking forward to a week of granola and soup making, bread baking, autumn decorating, organizing, mending, yoga, making and a couples dinner. Simple pleasures. I even thought I might whip the studio into shape and do a little video tour that I will post over on youtube if you think you might be interested. I'll keep you posted.


13 comments:

  1. I love your thankful list...and always love seeing your home this time of year. October is one of my favorite months as well and I'm looking into settling into the slower months rhythms now that our "birthday month" is over! Also, your week ahead sounds lovely. Would love to know your granola recipe--I'm on the hunt for a good one!

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  2. A beautiful list... I do love the gentleness of Autumn - especially this week as I am on holiday. Happy new week..,

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  3. I love your thankful list... I try to do this often just to remind myself how wonderful life really is.
    My daughter came home last weekend...isn't it the best!
    Enjoy your week.

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  4. Ditto what you said. The most healing thing: that Attitude of Gratitude. I would love to see more of your studio. Happy Autumn!!!

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  5. After a busy morning running errands in the rain and wind, I'm now in my pajamas, sipping a cup of herbal tea, the kitties sleeping beside me on the couch. I'm looking out the window at the yellow leaves whipping around and the sun trying to peek out...it's peaceful, but I still have that sense of sadness like I always do this time of year. I'm a summer person!

    I hope your week continues to bring you that sense of peace, contentment and gratitude.

    xoxo

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  6. I love the way you express your feelings and thoughts no matter the season, but I get how truly lovely fall is for you. I should make a To Do list filled with gentle and cozy moments. I'm always flying by the seat of my pants to get these done and it really is stress that I bring upon myself.

    I'm glad to hear that Clover has settled into being a dog rather than a pup! With a sixteen week old puppy, I'm worn out trying to keep her amused, and all of the training for nipping, going outdoors to do her thing, jumping...well, you get it. Still, we love her so.

    Happy fall. Keep those warm fires burning!

    Jane

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  7. My boys will be two in 4 days and still cannot be trusted. They are both pills, but I love them dearly. I love how you expressed your feeling for Autumn, simply beautiful.

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  8. What a wonderful thankful list! Our fall is just starting here. I do love a cozy raining day inside by the fire.

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  9. Love your sweet and thoughtful posts! I love the cooler temps and less humidity at this time of year! Enjoy the coziness! :)

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  10. I'm so ready to have some quiet time in my house now that wedding season is coming to an end! I'm envious of all you women who don't need to work outside the home, and can putter around every day doing just what you want. It sounds like pure heaven to me but alas, it will be many years before I can retire, sigh.

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  12. Lovely post and I can see how you cherish every bit of time. This time of year just has a certain "feeling" to it.... like you said, warm and cozy and a settling down feeling. I enjoy it as I know I'm finally done with the yard and flowers and working outside, weeding, etc. I love that all, but by October, I'm ready to be done! Your blessings/thankful for list is wonderful by the way.. and a hubby who will do those things for you? priceless! I love a week where I have no plans to go anywhere or "have tos'... as can just relax and craft every day! Marilyn (Oregon)

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  13. Your gratitude list is lovely! We should all take a moment and capture on paper - or in a post like you have - what we are thankful for. Puts things into perspective!

    You mentioned Hygge - you might like a book I just finished reading: Cosy: The British Art of Comfort, by Laura Weir. Such a pleasant read during this time of year!

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