Autumn Arrives.

For me, autumn is a time for family; be it strolling among the golden leaves in the park, watching a film together as the nights draw in or tucking into a freshly baked apple pie. Perhaps the most beautiful of seasons, autumn brings with it childhood memories of trick-or-treating, collecting conkers and counting down the months until Christmas. Despite the commute to work seeming longer as the darkness falls ever-earlier and the chill in the air shocking us into rushing for new gloves, boots and that coat that you knew you should have purchased last year; this season always seems to fill me with a fresh view of the world, a new measure of motivation and a sense of gratitude for the things that are often overlooked.

Perhaps it is the sudden change in the air that hits my reset button; reminding me that summer is over and there are fun times ahead once these cooler days have become the majority. I seem to gain a desire to succeed and to set goals in place with the obvious deadlines of the 25^th December and the New Year; I take on new projects and challenges in my career, I push my fitness to the next level and I value the time that I can spend with loved ones at the weekends. Just last week, I helped an elderly relative harvest the fruit from her orchard before any frosts hit, I have spent a number of leisurely Sunday afternoons strolling with my beloved pooch in the woods and find myself grateful for the little things that matter, giving me an overwhelming sense of positivity and anticipation for what lies ahead.

And I am sure that I am not alone; just glance at the High Street in October and see the smiling faces framed by new woolly scarves and the chilled hands grasping the steaming paper cups of hot chocolate, the children pulling parents towards the displays of Halloween costumes whilst fighting over which sibling should be carving the biggest pumpkin.

If you find yourself complaining about the cutting edge of the autumn breeze or the mist and fog making your drive to work slower than usual, take a moment to pause and reflect on the year that has passed and the fun things that lie ahead. Allow yourself to smile as you put away the sandals and reach for the winter boots and remind yourself that with a few months to go until the start of the New Year, this a perfect time to start that project that you have been putting off, or to shift those few pounds before the season of goodwill, mince pies and copious quantities of wine begins.