Post Equinox and what seasonal change means to us creatives
Transitioning from Summer to Autumn and Preparing for Winter
This article differs from my previous ones as it explores how I navigate and hope to understand seasonal changes and grief as a creative person. I will also give nutritional tips and creative coping mechanisms to ease into Winter and embrace the change.
Last Sunday, the 22nd of September 2024, marked the astronomical calendar as the autumn equinox. It was a time of balance, where day and night were of equal length, signalling the gradual shift from the warmth and brightness of summer to the cooler, quieter months of autumn and Winter. This seasonal transition brings profound changes not only to the environment around us but also to our bodies, minds, and routines. I certainly feel it emotionally, physically, and mentally. From where I have been experiencing these changes in London, I felt my mood change through the recent thunder and rain storms. The decreasing daylight and cooler temperatures can present challenges, but they also offer us a unique opportunity to embrace and feel the rhythms of the season. It helped me foster my creativity through journaling first thing in the morning or going on nature walks (sometimes with my umbrella), followed by a hot cup of tea to ease the transition into Winter. Whether it is collective grief with the constant news of war or political upheaval, the grief towards Summer 2024, or our memories of grieving someone - this is a time to reflect, process, and embrace.
Less sunlight means that it can lead to a drop in serotonin levels, which may contribute to feelings of lethargy or even SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) — which I have always found depressing as a term—a condition characterised by low mood fatigue and a lack of motivation. At the same time, the body’s production of melatonin—a hormone that promotes sleep—increases as daylight diminishes, further contributing to a sense of sluggishness. So I sit on this Autumnal Saturday on my patio with a fuzzy blanket covering my shoulders, process and feeling things… Beyond the physiological effects, the seasonal transition often brings about a shift in mood and a nostalgic atmosphere of autumn. As the pace slows and the work calendar gets busier, a definite struggle exists between doing and being. The change in season impacts our social rhythms as outdoor activities and gatherings become less frequent, encouraging a collective turning inward. With this collective act of going inward, I’ll be sharing what has been helping me and my thoughts in the hope that they will be helpful to someone just reading this.
Autumn is a time of year when we are invited to slow down, reflect, and engage in artistic and mindful practices that align with the changing rhythms of nature. I have been channeling this creativity through writing, reading, and visiting exhibitions of artists and institutions that inspire me. One of the most potent ways to connect with autumn and this seasonal change is through nature-inspired art and writing - whether solo or through creative writing workshops one can find easily online. What helped me massively was revisiting the author and writer Julia Cameron's The Artist Way — a tool book that includes a twelve-week course that guides the reader through the process of recovering their creative self — where I stuck to the morning pages (three pages of automatic writing in a journal) every day for the last five months. I have also been encouraged to explore my creative writing through nature, where the rich, earthy colours of the changing leaves, the crispness of the air, and the transformation of the landscape have provided an abundance of inspiration, whether it has been observing or collecting natural materials. Another book and inspiration that helped me understand my mood change as a woman living abroad from home was Wintering by Katherine May. This beautiful, perspective-shifting memoir taught me to draw from the healing powers of the natural world and to embrace the winters of my own. "But what does this have to do with the intersection of food and art?" you may think while reading this article. I don't quite know the answer either, except that this seasonal change has brought a lot of reflection and slowing down despite the many changes I am experiencing.
As the temperature drops and the days grow shorter, our bodies naturally crave warming, nourishing foods that support us through the colder months. Aligning our diet with the seasonal produce of autumn helps support our physical health and fosters a deeper connection to the earth's cycles. Having visited my local market this morning, I came across root vegetables and squashes; such as sweet potatoes, carrots, beets, and pumpkins that are abundant in autumn, providing grounding and nourishing energy. These foods are rich in vitamins and minerals that support the immune system, and they can be easily prepared in warming dishes like soups, stews, and roasted vegetable medleys. I also gravitate towards chocolate - which is supposed to be a powerful source of antioxidants and help with brain function if consumed in moderation. Whilst seasonal change has a profound effect on the world around us, as creatives —whether you are an artist, writer, designer, curator or performer — these changes can influence not only how you work, but also the nature of the work you produce.
External and internal factors can alter our creative routines, output, and inspiration when transitioning from one season to another, particularly from Summer to Autumn and Winter. These shifts then affect the creative process regarding energy levels, motivation, and the thematic focus of work, requiring a conscious adaptation to maintain productivity and harness the unique opportunities each season brings. I am still trying to understand and navigate these changes while keeping my creative inspirations and juices flowing. Please let me know if you have found a shortcut or answer to adapting to seasonal changes. Thank you for reading.
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