Creative Pursuits for Autumn

The autumn season always feels full of possibilities and new beginnings. It probably stems from our childhood memories of starting the new school year in September. For me, autumn seems like the ideal time to form new healthy habits, such as my slow morning ritual, and to try something new creatively. Below are some creative pursuits to slow down and embrace the season.

Watercolour painting

At the mention of creativity, my mind instantly wanders to watercolour art. Studying art throughout school filled that creative longing but as I’ve grown up, my sketchbooks have started gathering more and more dust. This season I’ve been inspired by beautiful artwork found on Instagram, particularly Finch & Fleur’s delicate use of autumnal colours.

Foraging

An autumnal walk in the woodland would not be complete without collecting nature’s souvenirs to take home. Scrapbooking is an activity that has forever been on my creative list but one that I have never quite managed. Kayleigh suggested making a beautiful autumnal wreath, which might be a little more encouraging. Decorating the home with natural materials from outside or using them as props for Instagram is an easy way to transition into autumn mode.

Photography

Rabya mentioned recently how she doesn’t have a dog to take on walks but her camera almost makes up for the lack of fluffy companion. The changing colour of leaves makes for an ideal opportunity to practice those macro shots or simply experiment with a camera. Autumn days also seem to be a little quieter compared to summer, which makes photographing outside more enjoyable and peaceful. I love the idea of going for a walk by myself but it almost seems aimless with no destination or purpose in mind. Taking a camera to capture the beautiful details of the season seems to solve the problem.

Baking

There’s nothing more inviting and warming than the scent of baking infusing the whole house. Weekend afternoons when the weather is stormy are ideal for attempting new bakes. The best recipes are the simple ones that require ingredients usually present in the kitchen already. Autumnal treats can be based around fruit that is in season, like blackberries, apples and figs, or consist of sweeter ingredients like cinnamon, caramel and nutmeg. I really like Emma’s recent post with seasonal recipes for autumn.

Candle making

A seasonal favourite, building up a candle collection can quickly become a pricey hobby. However, a while ago, Chloe mentioned how she started learning to make her own candles. I cannot think of a more autumnal activity. There seem to be plenty of candle making kits for beginners floating around on the internet so all that’s needed is to find a little time and patience to get started. My favourite scents for autumn are rich, warming and with a hint of sweetness, like a seasonal coffee. While this could simply be a hobby and a chance to spend some time away from the screen, it could also easily turn into a small side hustle.

Knitting

Similar to the above, handmade knitted accessories like hats and scarves are often not the most purse-friendly – simply due to the time that it takes to produce each item. Settling down by the fire and knitting away for the evening seems like an idyllic way to embrace the colder weather and create something to keep warm in. Handmade always feels that much more special. Anna has lots of thoughtful ideas on her Instagram page and sells the most beautiful naturally dyed yarns.

Writing

Each year when September rolls around, my mind becomes overwhelmed with the desire to attempt my first mystery novel. I’ve had one particular idea brewing for a couple of years now with the most autumnal feel: long, dark evenings by candlelight, the beautiful English countryside and, of course, a cosy murder mystery involved. At the moment, it feels as if 80% of my life consist of writing, between MA assignments, my dissertation and posting here on this blog. However, I’ve always enjoyed creative writing and the thought of writing without having to pause to find references or capturing an accompanying photo feels particularly exciting. It’s also especially encouraging to see creatives finding success with writing, from Sara’s upcoming book to others building careers out of creating written content for others. The written word has always been my favourite and now seems like the ideal time to celebrate it.

What are some creative activities you might pursue this autumn?

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