by Anjla Thakur
Spiritual seeker | Founder of Wysdomly
Many people look forward to autumn with its cooler temperatures, vibrantly coloured leaves and the abundant harvests that it brings.
Yet I’ve always struggled with the transition of summer to autumn. The shortening days and the shedding of leaves in preparation for winter can have a negative impact on my mood.
I’ve found that focusing on the beauty of autumn through creative and mindful pursuits is the perfect way to lift my spirits and connect to the magic of the season.
Autumn nature activities
Whether you’re doing it solo or with a group of friends, collecting leaves, seeds and cones is a terrific way to go out and connect with nature, while learning about the diversity of trees and the unique shape and structure of individual leaves.
Make sure to download a tree identifying app or buy a tree guide before you go leaf collecting. If you’re in the UK, try The Woodland Trust’s A-Z guide to British trees, which includes information on native species, naturalised and common non-natives.
Here are my four favourite creative and contemplative activities for connecting with the natural beauty of autumn.
1. Leaf art and crafts
Making art out of leaves, seeds and pine cones does not have to be limited to children! There are endless options for making leaf art from simple to more complex.
Paint your leaves and dab them onto paper to make colourful leafy prints.
Or glue your leaves and seeds onto paper to make drawings, montages, mandalas and mosaics out of them. Let your creativity run wild!
Try some bark or leaf rubbing. My personal favourite is this fun and arty method of leaf rubbing by Wildlife Kate (below) which encourages you to study leaves through the medium of Leaf Art.
Fabric leaves can be made using real leaves as templates. You can embellish them with sequins or fabric pen to make any number of creative accessories.
Or dry out the most impressive specimens of leaves and decorate them with glitter pens and use them as seasonal table decorations or on greeting cards.
Paint pine cones or drip paint them in autumn hues to create a seasonal wreath. Add mini pumpkins for a Halloween feel.
Or stick stems to the painted cones to create your very own bouquet of cone flowers.
Top tip – pine cones make great organic mulch, whether you leave them whole or break them up, since they decompose slowly over time. You can use them to prevent weed growth and keep soil moist by putting them around your trees and flowerbeds.
Dehydrate leaves, twigs and seeds, decorate or paint them, and put them on containers like glass jars or bowls, or hang them to make a seasonal mobile. Don’t forget to give them an extra spooky feel for Halloween!
2. Leaf photography
As we move into autumn, the amount of sunlight decreases, and so does the amount of chlorophyll – the green pigment – in leaves.
As leaves stop synthesising chlorophyll, any that remains is broken down.
With less green pigment, other pigments including orange carotenes, yellow xanthophylls and red anthocyanins become visible, producing the spectacular reds, oranges and yellows of autumn leaves.
Taking pictures of autumn foliage is a must-do activity this season, but why not elevate your photos with more interesting and complex compositions?
Experiment with perspective and filters, and if you need some creative ideas to get started, just do an internet search for “creative autumn leaf photography” for endless inspiration.
One of my favourite things to do is take my iPhone’s macro lens attachment and take close-up shots of leaves, ideally with light shining behind them. The intricate veins of the leaves and the unique autumn coloration make for spectacular macro shots.
3. Forest bathing
Originating in Japan, Shinrin-yoku, or forest bathing, is the practice of immersing our senses in nature in order to de-stress and relax.
With many proven mental and physical health benefits, you can practice connecting to nature amongst trees anywhere you live. Just slow down to nature’s pace and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of the environment around you.
If you want to make a full-on trip of it, there are many forests, parks, arboretums and gardens to visit in the UK with spectacular autumn colour.
Take a look at Countryfile’s guide to the Best places in the UK to see autumn colours for some inspiration.
My local favourite is The Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew and further afield is Wakehurst, Kew’s ‘wild botanic garden’ in Sussex.
Being carefree and playful is a simple yet powerful way for reconnecting with the natural world.
Engage in some leaf-related play this autumn by kicking around a pile of leaves or stomping on them for that super-satisfying leaf crunch!
Pick up leaf heaps and toss them high into the air to create a dramatic leaf fall. Capture it on an app like Boomerang or use a slo-mo or timelapse setting on your mobile for some fun videos to share on social.
To create an even deeper, ancient connection with the Earth, create a mandala or cairn on the ground using your collected leaves, seeds and cones with rocks and stones.
4. Autumn foraging
Autumn harvest brings an abundance of nuts, seeds, fruits, mushrooms and more.
Foraging is a great way to really connect with the rhythm and gifts of the season, as well as add interest to your autumn walks.
And you don’t have to live in the countryside to enjoy wild edibles. I live in London and berries and fruit can be found in abundance in local nature reserves, parks and back gardens (check you’re allowed to pick before collecting!)
In my area there is an abundance of Rowan trees, hawthorn, blackthorn, rosehip, sweet chestnut trees and blackberry bushes to choose from.
Read Countryfile’s foraging guide for the UK. It’s written by experts and details the best locations for foraging, how to forage safely and legally, and what’s in season for wild food gathering every month of the year.
And don’t forget to check out the wide variety of wild food recipes online. You can make anything from jams, jellies and pickles to cordials, wines and gins using your wild edibles.
Happy autumn season!
