When fall rolls around, everything seems right in the world. I feel like my true self again.

I had never thought of it that way before until the other day. I was with a friend and I complained about the hot and humid temperature. She smiled and said, “Well, at least we can be outside and it’s not snowing!”

My heart soared at the thought of snow.

“I just don’t feel like my true self in the fall and winter… once the birds start singing and the sun comes out, THEN I feel like I can really be myself. I feel so full of life in the spring and summer. In the fall and winter, I have to think of things I like just to get me through it.”

‘No, way!’ I thought. ‘Someone else feels like this too, except opposite!” 

Ever since I can remember (and I have vivid memories of so many springs like it), each year there would be a day when I would stick my head out the window and I would hear a bird singing his song…and the air would feel warmer…and my heart would sink into this weird, depressed feeling.

All summer long, I was bored, grumpy, and didn’t want to do anything. I always had to talk myself into liking summer: the fairs, the swimsuits, the tans, dresses and flip-flops, barbeques. But none of it would get me too excited.

And then fall would come. Wonderful, magical fall. The leaves would turn orange. I could wear sweatshirts and boots. My family would go to the Spoon River Drive to look at trinkets, and we would drink hot cocoa while snuggling together for warmth.

I would begin working on my Christmas list. Thanksgiving. Christmas decorating. Getting the family Christmas tree. Church holiday activities.

And once all the hubbub had gone down, there was snow. Beautiful, sparkling snow. Long days reading inside, cuddled up in my pajamas with a cup of tea.

I feel so full of LIFE in the cold months. Because I seem to be the opposite of most other people who love their warm seasons, I decided to explain myself with 5 reasons fall (and winter!) is my jam.

1. OMG, the smells. To be totally honest, the smell of flowers makes me want to vomit. I hate all of them. I am a candle and melting wax lady, but spring means none of that for me. I won’t do it. In the summer, I’ll have the occasional fruity scent going on. Strawberry pie or scents based on some sort of alcoholic beverage are nice, but mostly I’m just not into it. And candles have fire, and fire makes me feel hot, and summer is too hot anyway. Oooh, but fall and winter! Oh my goodness, I just can’t handle the smells. I can go insane buying candles, wax, soap, Febreze and perfume in fall scents. Though I despise the taste of pumpkin, I LOVE the smell. Caramel, cinnamon, nutmeg, apple pie, gingerbread, snickerdoodle, evergreen, fresh baked cookies, really the list just goes on and on. Basically, I love stuff that smells like hot dessert. None of that fruity crap. Yummy smells put me in a fabulous mood, so basically I’m just happy all season long.
2. The outfits are to die for. Seriously, though. In the summer, my hair is perpetually up in a messy bun. I wear big t-shirts and running shorts and flip-flops everywhere I go. On Sunday’s, I wear a floppy dress. It’s the same thing all season long. I’m hot, I’m sweaty, I’m grumpy, and I don’t want to go outside because I swear I might die. In the fall and winter, I can add so much style with my layers. I love the cable-knit sweaters, cardigans, tunics, leggings, boots of all kinds (uggs, ankle boots, riding boots, military boots: I’m a boot fanatic!) I love that I can do anything with my hair without worrying about how hot it will make me or how frizzy it might get. Basically, I look like a wet dog in the spring, a hot mess in the summer, a pumpkin spice queen in the fall, and a jolly little elf in the winter.
3. I love the holidays. And no, for some reason all the holidays in the spring and summer don’t count. Easter is fine and all, but I’ve never gotten much into the candy and eggs (of course, I love celebrating the resurrection of our Savior!). But man oh man, something inside of me starts having a party when I see the candy corn out at the grocery store. I don’t even celebrate Halloween guys. But I love how everyone gets so into Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas! It’s three months full of life, colorful decorations, family events, songs, & JOY! I savor every single second of it.
4. Seeing the colors make my heart skip a beat. So, I have this weird thing where I cannot wear fall colors in the spring or summer. I wear bright, floral outfits all spring and summer. I don’t like it, but it’s part of the gig for me. And it makes it all more exciting to pull out my treasured fall/winter collection in September! Those colors are special to me and help me to celebrate the fact that my favorite time of year is coming up! I also love decking out my house with fall leaves, candles & decor. It’s just about the happiest day of the year for me.
5. Life is so still. Too much activity really stresses me out. Growing up in a family of ten, I craved my quiet time. I would spend my days taking care of my younger siblings, cleaning the house, and generally going crazy. Then, once the house quieted down, I would go down to my little basement bedroom, turn on my lamp, light a candle, grab a book and a cup of tea, and read for hours and hours. Those precious evenings were such a solace for me during my busy teen years. I also love storms of all sorts. I love when the electricity goes out and everyone has to stay inside. There is something peaceful about it – something that we don’t often experience in our busy culture. While I can get behind the county fair, or swimming at the beach, I much prefer activities with fewer people and less hullabaloo. I love how the cooler months really bring people together – but not just any people, just the people that you love the most. And to me, that’s the most important things in the world. ❤

Happy Fall!