The crisp crunch of leaves under your feet, fresh air tinged with the smell of burnt matches, and the comforting hug of snuggling up in a chunky warm jumper is exactly what Autumn is about. Add a pumpkin spice latte and some yankee candles and you’re totally doing it right!
I shared with you one of my favourite places near where I live back in May (anyone else feel like this year has gone by in a blink of the eye?) when I took you on a woodland walk with me. Back then dappled sunlight slipped through the canopy of luscious leaves and plump trees in every shade of green dipped over the lake full of ducks sunbathing.
Now the French wood has welcomed autumn with open arms. The only season when everyone else wraps up but the trees get naked, shedding their stunning golden brown, dusky red and dazzling yellow coats preparing for the next season.
My cousin Edouard bought along puppy Cooper for his first visit to the woods, his tiny beagle nose was in overdrive at all the scents. Only five months old and so excitable he scampered around the woods hunting out wet sticks, barking at a couple of ducks taking a bath and racing over exposed tree trunks, loving every minute. Having such an excited tour guide it was impossible not to get swept up in the beauty and wonder of mother nature.
I have been so busy writing recently as those pesky deadlines creep closer. My days have been a blur of scenes, words and getting lost in my characters worlds that everything else has taken a backseat - you don’t even want to know how much cleaning and washing I have to do *sigh* - so the chance to get a dose of fresh air, stretch my legs and have a break from screen time was exactly what I needed.
It’s easy to get bogged down in day to day life, trying to cram as much as you possibly can into your day but you also need to be kind to yourself. Burn out ain’t big or pretty. However, if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with your never ending to-do list it can sometimes feel a little indulgent taking a break from it all, but trust me stepping away from the bubble of things you NEED to do to clear your head can work wonders. You return with more energy, focus and a reality check that not everything is life or death important, you are doing a good job. You’ve got this.
Go play in a wood like you did when you were little, take a break from your emails and the glow of your laptop or phone screen and spend some time in the great outdoors. The best things in life are free - especially if they involve puppy cuddles!
What do you do to de-stress?
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