Summer is almost over, and we are headed for cooler nights and autumnal days where brilliant colors abound. It's easy to spend far too much time indoors doom scrolling and never touching grass. But with the changing seasons and more moderate temperatures coming, I'm always looking for ways to get outside and enjoy nature before winter.
Building on the previous post's theme of Aristotelian leisure, here, I suggest some easy ways to live more seasonally, creatively, and in-tune with nature:
Building on the previous post's theme of Aristotelian leisure, here, I suggest some easy ways to live more seasonally, creatively, and in-tune with nature:
1. Nature Journal or Sketchbook
Keeping a nature journal or sketchbook is rewarding even if you aren't a particularly good artist. Drawing is excellent for working the right brain, and we Westerners are too often stuck in left brain, rational, linear thought, while neglecting the creative and holistic aspects of the right brain.
This is the nature journal my kids use, which is pictured above. And for adults, there are a lot of attractive sketchbooks to choose from. My nature journal is the smaller black book pictured above, one like this. The medium size is good for bringing on travel. I use colored pencils for my illustrations, but watercolors will work with this sketchbook too.
Wildflower workbook is a journal with thoughtful prompts and exercises to encourage engagement with the natural world. From bird-spotting advice to camping checklists, in the artist's lovely signature style, it is good for adults or older kids.
I also want to buy Watercolor in the Woods, which is a collection of beginner-friendly art tutorials and directions to guide you through the basics of nature watercolor.
This is the nature journal my kids use, which is pictured above. And for adults, there are a lot of attractive sketchbooks to choose from. My nature journal is the smaller black book pictured above, one like this. The medium size is good for bringing on travel. I use colored pencils for my illustrations, but watercolors will work with this sketchbook too.
Wildflower workbook is a journal with thoughtful prompts and exercises to encourage engagement with the natural world. From bird-spotting advice to camping checklists, in the artist's lovely signature style, it is good for adults or older kids.
I also want to buy Watercolor in the Woods, which is a collection of beginner-friendly art tutorials and directions to guide you through the basics of nature watercolor.
2. Hiking/Walking
Aristotle was a prodigious walker. In fact, his school of thought, Peripatetic philosophy, translates from Greek as "I go for a walk." Aristotle liked to walk while he reflected on different ideas. There was also a larger connection in Greek thought between the idea of a journey and intellectual inquiry. Both journeying and looking far away into the distance can help us get out beyond the realm of our narrow concerns.
Karen Armstrong writes about this same phenomenon of stepping outside in her book The Spiral Staircase: "We are most creative and sense other possibilities that transcend our ordinary experience when we leave ourselves behind."
Walking also has many physical health benefits. Among them are better weight management, reduced disease burden, and increased longevity. Breathing fresh air and getting sunlight are beneficial as well.
Fall is an ideal time to find a trail and go hiking. Even better, bring family, or go at an off time when you can have the place to yourself and enjoy the leaves in solitude.
Karen Armstrong writes about this same phenomenon of stepping outside in her book The Spiral Staircase: "We are most creative and sense other possibilities that transcend our ordinary experience when we leave ourselves behind."
Walking also has many physical health benefits. Among them are better weight management, reduced disease burden, and increased longevity. Breathing fresh air and getting sunlight are beneficial as well.
Fall is an ideal time to find a trail and go hiking. Even better, bring family, or go at an off time when you can have the place to yourself and enjoy the leaves in solitude.
3. Seasonal Decor
Perhaps I'm drawn to this because I'm a woman, but I find it very rewarding to decorate my home with seasonal colors and inexpensive natural items brought in from outdoors.
It's fall, so pumpkins and gourds are my go-to items for decorating both indoors and outdoors.
During winter, I like a neutral color pallet of whites, off-whites, browns and muted greens. I put out cozy blankets and pillows, and decorate my home's interior with pine cones, branches, and fairly lights in dark corners that need some illumination during these shorter, darker days.
In spring and summer, I might use a bright pallet of aqua or coral, and bring in bouquets of wildflowers.
It's fall, so pumpkins and gourds are my go-to items for decorating both indoors and outdoors.
During winter, I like a neutral color pallet of whites, off-whites, browns and muted greens. I put out cozy blankets and pillows, and decorate my home's interior with pine cones, branches, and fairly lights in dark corners that need some illumination during these shorter, darker days.
In spring and summer, I might use a bright pallet of aqua or coral, and bring in bouquets of wildflowers.
4. Seasonal Foods & Traditions
Aristotle approved of enjoying fine food and drink, although such indulgence should always be tempered with moderation. Aristotle and his fellow Greeks would have enjoyed dishes prepared with sweet and sour flavors, fragrant herbs, creamy cheesecakes and hearty red wines. You can try some of these dishes featured in The Classical Cookbook here.
Today, with the harvest approaching, fall is the ideal time for preparing traditional seasonal foods. This could including making marinara sauce with the last batch of tomatoes, adding apples or squashes into various dishes, turkey at Thanksgiving or pumpkin pie.
Keeping a garden, going to the farmer's market, going apple or pumpkin picking, canning and preserving, are all excellent ways to enjoy seasonal food.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a rewarding fall season!
~
Read Next:
Handbooks: The Most Powerful Tool for Living Your Best Life
5 Things That You Need to be Happy According to Cicero
5 Ways to Counterbalance an Ugly and Barren Cultural Landscape
*Post contains affiliate links.
Today, with the harvest approaching, fall is the ideal time for preparing traditional seasonal foods. This could including making marinara sauce with the last batch of tomatoes, adding apples or squashes into various dishes, turkey at Thanksgiving or pumpkin pie.
Keeping a garden, going to the farmer's market, going apple or pumpkin picking, canning and preserving, are all excellent ways to enjoy seasonal food.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you have a rewarding fall season!
~
Read Next:
Handbooks: The Most Powerful Tool for Living Your Best Life
5 Things That You Need to be Happy According to Cicero
5 Ways to Counterbalance an Ugly and Barren Cultural Landscape
*Post contains affiliate links.
