The transition from summer to autumn can take its toll. Damage to our moods, in particular. We miss the warmth of summer, and above all, autumn heralds many cold winter months. In other words, it’s possible to fall into an autumnal depression. It happens to a lot of people, every year. So here are my 5 tips for getting back into the swing of things and getting out of the blues.

1 – Cultivating a passion for autumn depression

When suffering from autumn depression, it’s essential to understand that it’s normal, that it happens and, above all, that it’s temporary.

It’s just a transition between summer and autumn, in other words, let’s not dramatize it or create unnecessary anxiety.

To get through this period of depression and regain your zest for life, it’s essential to cultivate a passion.

So, what does this mean?

Cultivating a passion means finding a small action that gives us pleasure, puts a smile on our face and, above all, makes us lose track of time.

In fact, we forget everything. Perhaps we even revert a little to childhood. In other words, we forget our everyday “worries” of adult life, our roles, our obligations of all kinds.

But what is this passion?

It’s up to you to find it. It can be anything you want it to be.

For me, it’s reading!

And to get through my little autumn depression, as I like to call it, I read books with magic in them, very light things, books I loved to read as a child.

Because these are books that make me “forget” a little about personal development, work, the summer that’s going away, the heat, the sun… I forget everything and it does me a world of good.

I recharge my batteries and rediscover my joie de vivre.

So, yes, it can really be whatever you want it to be. A passion is personal, intimate. So listen to yourself. Test yourself if you need to.

Have fun discovering what your passion will be this fall.

If you had to start with a passion, what would it be?

2 – Having a goal to get through the autumn blues

Fall depression arrives with the change of season, and with it often comes existential questioning: “What am I going to do with my life? What’s the point? Yes, the kind of questions that have a tragic ring to them (laughs).

But they’re necessary and, above all, completely normal. Yes, it’s human to meditate on your life from time to time. Especially when you start to realize that winter is coming.

So, to rediscover our joie de vivre and answer our existential questions, we need a goal.

Not necessarily a goal in life, but an objective. No matter how small.

Indeed, it can be as simple as setting a goal to get back into sport, to learn a language, to crochet a cardigan…

Because a goal isn’t there to fill anything. A goal gives our life a happier direction.

Yes, a goal is joyful. It puts a smile on your face.

If it doesn’t, then we need to change our goal, and fast! (laughs)

Personally, my goal for this autumn is to bake a cake every week. Which may seem like a very small task, but for me, it’s something extra for this autumn, something I’ll enjoy and be proud of too.

I also have another goal, which is to do a bit of sport every day at home. I’ve started with 10 sit-ups a day. (laughs)

I’m building up to it as I go along. I don’t know where it’s all going to lead, but I’m having a lot of fun.

And, in the meantime, autumn seems a lot happier!

So, what are your goals for this autumn?

3 – Fill up on positive vibes to rediscover joie de vivre

When the autumn blues hit, we tend to curl up at home and withdraw from others.

But that’s a very bad idea. In fact, to regain our joie de vivre, we need warm contact with others.

So how do we go about it?

Why not organize a meal, a fun meal. Everyone brings something “surprise” to eat, or of a specific color, for example. Or get together for an aperitif outside, with the theme “Let’s bring out the scarf and the bonnet”.

In other words, get together with your loved ones for special occasions. Put a little joy back into those get-togethers, meals or outings.

Why not organize an autumn hike?

If you had to organize a meal or an outing, what would it be and with whom?

4 – Refocusing on the essentials and a change of pace during an autumn depression

What if autumn and this depression were the signal to change your rhythm and refocus on what’s essential?

Because the summer season is noisy, festive, even sporty at times.

What if now was the time to return to a softer, quieter season, but no less festive for all that?

Indeed, autumn has many magical moments to offer.

And to take advantage of them, we need to adopt a slower, gentler pace.

The nights are getting longer, so what do you do when it’s dark outside? Yes, now you have to occupy those evenings when it’s too dark and cold to be outside.

Find a new rhythm, new occupations.

Don’t cling to the summer rhythm that’s over, and open yourself up to the autumn rhythm that’s begun.

5 – Set up little autumn rituals to get out of the blues

Autumn has a lot to offer. In fact, this season is the perfect opportunity to set up some very specific and truly magical little rituals.

Personally, for me, autumn is the time to dig out my plaid on the sofa and my favorite mug to make all kinds of colorful herbal teas.

It’s also a time for lighter, more “childlike” reading. It’s also a good time to start a new series, and to watch an episode every evening after dinner.

It’s also the time to bake cakes again, and even cinnamon Halloween cookies. My favorites.

It’s a time to re-sort my wardrobe and pull out my warmer dresses that I love.

Finding my little booties.

And then there are the more pleasant walks with the milder temperatures and, above all, the more clement sunshine.

The wind is playing with my hair again.

It’s also time to organize some new weekend hikes.

It’s time to take hot showers again and change the scent of my shower gel.

There’s so much you can do to celebrate the autumn season.

So, if you were to transform this autumn season into a source of wonder, what little rituals could you put in place right now?

Find out more:

I invite you to read these 2 complementary articles:

Discover How to stay motivated in autumn: 9 joyful goals to set yourself
Discover Taking care of yourself in autumn: 15 best ideas

I recommend this inspiring book:

Autumn by Ali Smith
In Ali Smith’s Autumn, the changing seasons provide the backdrop for the story, capturing the essence of autumn’s melancholy. The book weaves a story that reflects the emotional nuances of the season, exploring themes of time, memory and the inevitable passing of life. With its evocative prose, Autumn resonates with the reflective and contemplative mood often associated with the arrival of autumn and its impact on the human psyche.

When I finished the book, I understood why it had been selected. It’s a beautiful, contemporary book, but it deals with issues that transcend time. I wonder if it has a chance of winning, but don’t pass this one up.

Thank you very much for reading this article.

If you liked it, let me know in the comments.

Take care of yourself