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10 Oct 2025 16:45

Creating a Seasonal Safe Space with Shared Earth

Well, summer looks like it's officially gone now. Time to bring out the big coats and knitwear I think!

We’ve had some strange weather the last couple of weeks – it’s been quite hit-and-miss, hasn’t it? There have been a good couple of instances this month where I’ve gone out in a light jacket and returned home a few hours later like a drowned rat, and other days I’ve not risked it and taken my big coat - only to realise ten minutes away from home that I’m absolutely sweating.

Having said that, it seems safe to say now that we should probably start settling into the cold of autumn and winter. Colours are starting to get richer, everyone’s walking about with nails in shades of brown, red and orange, people are beginning to stock up on deep scents of patchouli, sage and cloves. I can’t deny I’m one of them. When I walk, my boots push through piles of dried leaves and the rustling sound of them takes me right back to childhood, where we’d see who could make the biggest leaf pile and jump into it.

Autumn definitely brings out this huge feeling of nostalgia and warmth for me. I find that it’s also heavily influenced by my surroundings and senses – the second I pull out my thick burgundy scarf and swap out my lemongrass candle for sage and lavender, I know it’s time to start getting cosy. I like to keep my bedroom and the spaces around me quite seasonal in the later months as it’s a lot easier for me to feel positive when we’re quite prone to low moods. It’s so easy to get lost in the cold, and once you’ve spent a couple of days cooped up at home I find that getting back out into a routine can be so difficult. That’s why this year, I thought I’d try harder to make home more fruitful and safe for those times when my brain does get slightly overwhelmed.

The first thing I’ve started doing is getting out of bed. When it’s like this outside, normally all I want to do is lie there and have a whole day of horizontal time, watching true crime documentaries with a hot chocolate and hot water bottle, or a good book in hand. But even then, when you’re stuck in the routine of feeling miserable when the weather is, it’s difficult to find that motivation. When I wake up, I make breakfast and if I’ve not got plans, I try to just step outside for a little while. Even if it’s just a walk to the local shop, it’s an excuse to put on my hat, scarf and gloves and get some oxygen into my lungs. Once I come home, I feel much fresher and ready to get something done!

If I’m just in the house, I often find smells very helpful and therapeutic. I like to cook a lot which helps so home smells like soup right now. Having said that, I’ve been using a lot of essential oils recently which I don’t usually do at all as I’ve always preferred incense. I received an oil burner for Christmas last year with a lot of wintery scents, but didn’t have much chance to use it as my old landlord wasn’t best fussed on candles and the like – understandable really, when you think of the fire hazard, but nowhere near as fun.

This week I’ve been using my dark cinnamon incense for my room, and then when I’m working at the dining table I’ve whacked something in the oil burner. It’s worked well as I can associate different smells with my routine now, which helps me get up and out of bed so that my mood is lifted a lot more. I also invested in some new home decor that helps me lean into the good side of cold weather – I picked up an autumn-coloured blanket from work made from recycled pillows, with the cushion covers to match. This has helped me dive into the season with much less fear of drowning in the miserable weather, as I’ve got a cosy bed to look forward to at the end of the day, but not until then. It’s like a nice little evening treat after the 9-5.

To motivate me to go outside, I grabbed a new hat, scarf and gloves. I needed new ones anyway, and it means I’m more excited to go outside so that I can use them. It makes my little Fair Trade brain happy. Now I can go out with warm…everything! It mimics the feeling of being in bed, all cosied up, just without a cat by my feet - instead, it’s fresh air and a treat from the corner shop. Best of both worlds!

I also have to keep reminding myself to take care of myself more. It’s so easy to fall behind with self-care when you don’t feel great and you have less motivation to do anything in the later months. Each morning I moisturise my face and use frankincense and castor oil under my eyes, diluted into a serum that I know works well on my skin. I use a soap with cinnamon and cedarwood scents, and a deep purple hue. These small changes and reminders help me stay
on top of who I am and the world around me, and I’ve found I’ve struggled a lot less so far this year as I’ve leaned into the season and made it my own. Your surroundings affect your feelings and I didn’t realise until now how important it truly is to use the seasons to your advantage and bring them into the safety of home, and bring some of the warmth and security of the inside with you when you venture out into the cold.

Maggie

Created On 10 Oct 2025 16:45 - >>