Fall Always Feels Gloomy Until You Start Paying Attention — Then It Becomes the Best Season of the Year

When the summer heat finally gives way to cooler weather, you can wander endlessly along the paths, admiring the colorful foliage. Or rake it into a big pile and plop down right in the middle, just like you did as a child. Fall paints the landscape in such beautiful colors that all you want to do is admire them, breathing the fresh, clean air.

• My husband and son went for a walk in the woods. A couple of hours later, they came trudging back, practically out of breath, with their baskets full. I was already rubbing my hands with excitement: could they really have found so many mushrooms?
  I ran over and peeked into the baskets. They were full of hazelnuts! It turns out my boys had heard me say how much I missed the hazel grove near us that had been cut down a couple of years ago, so they headed deep into the forest. We kept cracking those nuts for the entire fall.

If fall didn’t exist, we would absolutely have to invent it. This season is meant for gently leafing through summer photos, reminiscing about carefree, sun-filled days, and preparing for the dim winter ahead. Or, on the other hand, looking forward to the first sled ride on freshly fallen, crisp snow, when sparkling white flakes cool your cheeks.

How nice it is when a gloomy morning falls on a weekend. you can make yourself a mug of tea or cocoa, curl up under a blanket, and slowly turn the pages of your favorite book while the rain softly taps out a wistful melody against the window. Time seems to stand still — and you with it.

In just a few months, fresh new greenery will appear on the branches. But for now, golden, burgundy, and bronze leaves can be woven into wreaths, arranged into bouquets, or simply tucked neatly between the pages of a book. And the fallen leaves smell of rain, dried mushrooms, and warm memories.

Orange pumpkins, red bell peppers, and purple eggplants — this vibrant abundance at the market stalls is a delight to the eye. It feels as though fall gives us one more chance to enjoy rich, juicy colors before the earth is covered with a white blanket of snow.

• We harvested pumpkins at our garden and left them in the yard. Our cat has gotten into the habit of sleeping in this pumpkin kingdom — you can’t even coax him indoors at night. I thought, maybe he wants to try some vegetables?
  I started cutting one open, and suddenly it split into halves, with nothing inside — no flesh at all! Looks like rodents got into some of our harvest, and our kitty was staking them out.

The last cranberries and lingonberries, firm porcini and chanterelles, juicy, crisp apples — fall delights us with all of these before the first snow falls. But even without these little gifts of the season, it still has plenty to offer. The key is not to complain about the weather and to savor every sunny day.

A fireplace and fall are simply made for each other. You sit in front of it, warming up while admiring the dancing flames. You don’t even need a TV. The wind rustles outside, while you feel warm and at peace. It’s the perfect time for unhurried reflection and writing heartfelt poetry.

After a busy, quick summer, you may want to take a breath, organize your thoughts, and finally clear out your closets. The weather in fall, when you don’t feel like going outside, is perfect for taking a closer look around the house, sorting through all your belongings, and finally getting rid of unnecessary clutter.

Fall is anything but a season of decline. On the contrary, no other season paints the landscape in such vibrant colors. Even gloomy gray cities come alive when apartment blocks are framed by crowns of orange, yellow, and red leaves.

In winter, the sky is often covered with clouds, and in summer, the heat fades it to a pale blue. But when fall arrives, vibrant colors return to the sky, and it takes on a rich, deep blue hue. Sometimes, as you tilt your head back to watch migratory birds pass overhead, it feels as though you could dive right into the sky, as if into the depths of the sea.

It may seem like there’s nothing to brighten your day when it’s raining outside and the sidewalks turn into bottomless puddles. But isn’t that the perfect reason to treat yourself to a new pair of boots and pick up a bright raincoat? With new additions to your wardrobe, any weather feels a little more cheerful.

Fall is the perfect time to get out into nature and take a few vibrant photos. The scenery changes every day, taking on new colors and shapes. Just the day before, the trees stood wrapped in lush foliage, and today they stretch their branches toward the sky, waiting for a warm blanket of snow.

In summer, we duck into a café to cool off in the AC, grab a glass of cold juice, and head right back out. Fall, on the other hand, is made for long, cozy get-togethers with friends over a hot mug of coffee and a good heart-to-heart.

In the warm comfort of family, you can easily talk over everything that happened during the day, or simply sit in silence, admiring the colors of the fading daylight. Then, settle onto the couch and watch your favorite series. Fall may well be the most cinematic season — both for making movies and for watching them.

Once winter arrives, it will be too cold for picnics and trips outdoors, but for now you can still get out of town, grill some barbecue, and gather dried plants for bouquets. But the best time starts after dark, when the sky fills with stars. They never shine quite as brightly in summer.

Fall has something for both homebodies and travelers. All the vegetables and fruit have been harvested and the wind sweeps dry leaves across the empty yard. That means there’s no need to spend time tending the garden or mowing the lawn — you can set off on a little trip to nearby towns instead. You drive along peacefully, with nowhere to rush, taking in the scenery.

Reflecting on your life doesn’t have to be tinged with melancholy. Fall gives us the peace and quiet to think things through without rushing. Sometimes that’s what helps us make a choice we’d overlook when life gets busy. And that’s always a good thing.

October carries the scent of fallen leaves, while November brings the fragrance of the first snow. Sometimes, all it takes is stepping outside and taking a deep breath of the crisp air to know exactly what day it is.

For many people, fall is a time of melancholy and boredom. But sometimes it’s good to feel a little wistful and let yourself be a bit lazy. But when bright red rowan berries or rose hips suddenly pop against the faded leaves, you realize that real beauty just needs contrast.