Autumn’s Quiet Gifts

Fall can be bittersweet. For some, it's the sign of things ending—summer trips, long days, warm nights. The chill sneaks in, and the daylight slips away. The trees seem to weep in color, and the winds whisper that winter is near.

But for me, autumn is peace. It’s reflection. It’s the campfire season, the hot drink season, the crunching-leaves-underfoot season. The world quiets down, and I feel like I can breathe a little deeper.

Autumn is where I find some of my most grounding outdoor moments. Here are three practices I use to soak it all in:

1. Embracing the Chill
Cold in autumn can be sneaky—it shows up suddenly in the wind or the shade. I start every outing with a warm layer, even if it feels silly when I first step outside. Lightweight puffy jackets, wool midlayers, and a good pair of gloves live in my fall pack from September onward. I also keep a thermos of tea or cider for a cozy trail-side boost.

2. Fall Food Rituals
Food tastes better in the fall. Maybe it’s the cooler air, or maybe it’s the joy of warm bites in chilly weather. I bring comfort food: oatmeal with apples and cinnamon, hearty trail stews, or bannock with cheese. Eating slowly and mindfully outside, with the sound of rustling leaves all around, makes for a deeply satisfying experience.

3. Noticing the Fade
Autumn teaches impermanence. I take time to notice the little changes—the way fog clings to the valleys, the last of the migrating birds, the crunch of frost in the morning. It’s easy to get caught up in sadness about summer ending, but autumn shows us how to let go beautifully.

In many ways, fall is my favorite season. It's the calm between the heat of summer and the sting of winter. It invites slowness, reflection, and the kind of deep joy that doesn’t shout—it whispers.

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