Autumn and Winter: What could be better?

While I realize this may be a controversial topic, I am a huge advocate for the fact that this transition from Fall to Winter is one of the best times of the year. We just finished the Halloween season – R.I.P to the carved pumpkins and friendly ghost decorations that had to be taken down – and are now racing into November and December crunch time.

To set the scene for you:

This is the time of year when you can use your mug of coffee as both a caffeine booster and a hand warmer at the same time.

This is the time of year where, at least in the Pacific Northwest, the air is intoxicatingly crisp and refreshing to your lungs but not cold enough where you’re afraid to walk outside. It’s perfect for cabin retreats, ski trips in the mountain, invigorating trail runs, (attempts at) baking in your kitchen, Christmas movie marathons and so much more.

This is the time of year when school wraps up for the semester or quarter and allows you to focus your energy and attention on your loved ones around you. For college students, this is the time when you get to spend cherished time with your family at home and see all of your best friends from high school before you all go back for the next semester.

It’s the time of gift giving, staying up until the early morning (or going to bed at 7 p.m.), scheduling yourself some personal R&R time, laughing until you’re in tears and can’t breathe, ice-skating, trying something new, setting yourself goals for the next year, reassessing different aspects of your life, making new connections or appreciating the old ones, being thankful – the list goes on.

I’m not implying that you can only do these types of things during Autumn and Winter, but I do think that there is something powerful that comes from the collective merriment and intimacy from reconnecting across the general public.

Even if you don’t particularly enjoy the holiday season, I urge you to try and find some source of positivity – whether that be in the form of your company or baked goods – and get excited for a whole new year of 2017 adventure coming our way!