6 ways to immerse yourself in the beauty of September

September? Already?

Can you believe it’s September already? *Big sigh of not-quite-sure-if-it’s-relief-yet* 😉. It feels like Summer has come and gone in the blink of an eye. Even when I decided to have a slow and soft Summer, it still flew by. Or at least that’s how it feels to me.

Other than spending the first few days of July in Paris with one of my girlfriends, the husband and I decided to stay home this Summer. We decided this for multiple reasons, the main reason being that I had a feeling that Milly might not get through the Summer. Don’t ask me why I knew this but I did and I’m glad I listened to my gut feelings because I was here by her side as she crossed the rainbow bridge and I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I hadn’t stayed. Though I miss her and have felt disoriented by her loss, I am also at peace with it. She had a long and happy life with us and she knew she was loved and that somehow brings comfort to my heart.

As a middle- and high school teacher I always get jolted into September at a speed that is not natural to my nervous system. I go from slow, thoughtful, quiet days, with my Chic Dogs close to me, mostly spent in solitude (no humans I mean) and not talking (which I find absolutely delicious) to suddenly lots of talking, listening, crowded places, deadlines, etc. There’s no gradual change or morphing from one way of being to the next and I would be lying if I would say it doesn’t overwhelm me. The sensory overload I feel throughout those first few days, knocks me out of balance if I’m not careful.

However, once I am settled into a new routine, know my new students’ names and let go of my crippling need for perfection, I’m ready to go and enjoy this new and vibrant season. Don’t you just love the shifting of seasons? When you can feel and smell the subtle changes in the air. Though they’re subtle, they are very palpable to those who choose to pay attention. And the beauty! There is so much beauty as the seasons slowly shift from late Summer to early fall. So how about focusing our attention on all the beauty that surrounds us and inspires us to live better and live more intentionally?

Here are some of my favorite things to do, to immerse myself in the beauty of this brand new September month:

1. Having a delicious, slow beach day

As a child, living in Portugal the first decade of my life, the beach has always been one of my absolute favorite places to be. Especially big, sandy beaches that are more or less desolate. I would pretend to be a mermaid who knew about the deepest secrets of the ocean. I’d have long conversations to ‘my’ beautiful Atlantic Ocean. In fact, I still do. I know many people find the ocean to be scary but I have always found comfort in its cold, blue depths.

However, I currently live in Belgium so the Atlantic ocean is not near me but we have beaches here too. The sad thing about Belgium is that it’s not a very dog friendly country if you ask me. Dogs are not allowed on most beaches, only during a couple of Winter months. Marlow and I have very little patience for such pettiness. So we discovered a beautiful beach in the Netherlands only 1h drive away from where we live. And guess what, dogs are not only allowed, the beach is actually theirs. A beach full of dogs, sounds like perfection to me!

On our side of the world September can still be pleasantly warm though the heat of the sun isn’t as unbearable as during the previous few months. Even if the temperatures are high, there is a softening in the air which is perfect for a beach day. A day of swimming, resting, reading and collecting the most beautiful seashells can be so invigorating. To me, a beach day with Marlow (because Emma is still too frightened to go in the car) makes me feel so grateful to be alive and sparks my creativity.

2. Making Flower bouquets from garden flowers and bring them inside

Another thing I really love about this time of year is the garden and to be immersed by its beauty. In my cottage garden, dahlias are taking center stage in September and boy, do they take my breath away! I’ve planted many different varieties throughout the years and they keep impressing me with their stunning beauty and versatility. So many different shapes and colors that make my heart sing every time I spot a new one blooming.

Of course dahlias are not the only flowers blooming in the garden. There are many, many beautiful flowers and even herbs that look quite chic in bouquets. I love to make these bouquets every few days and put vases in every room of the house, even in the garage. There’s something very inspiring and elevating about having fresh flowers intentionally placed throughout the house. These bouquets even have the power to upgrade any uninspiring area. I even bring flowers to school and put them on my desk. You’d be surprised how enchanted my students are by the sight of fresh flowers, they always notice and appreciate it. Flowers are the epitome of beauty and color therapy is often underrated, but the truth is, our brains thrives on it.

3. A long stroll through the forest

Nothing quite as grounding as a long walk in the forest in the early morning as rays of sunshine dance through the trees. The scent of the soil this time of year is such a treat to the senses that it makes me dizzy with gratitude. Nature is the ultimate healer and if you are looking to calm down a restless heart, the forest is exactly where you need to be. There’s so much beauty in the forest and trees evoke a deep sense of reverence. If you’re anything like me, you too will notice that you are able to think better in a forest. Clarity and a sense of ease is what I usually feel and I’ve noticed the same effect on both Marlow and Emma.

4. Being in the garden as much as possible

Though the first half of September can still be very pleasant and warm, the weather can easily shift by the second half of the month. Especially as September quietly morphs into October, when the mornings and evenings tend to be quite chilly. So one of the things I am even more intentional about this month is to be in the garden as much as possible so I can revel in its beauty for as long as the season allows me to. Even when I am writing, preparing lessons or reading, I try to this in the garden as much as possible. The beauty of the garden and the humming of so much life around me, only inspires me more and has quite a profound impact on my mental and physical well-being. I don’t mind the colder seasons but I do need the light and often find myself feeling miserable when the days are so short. So I surely will soak up every ray of light for as long as I can. I’m a creature of the light, not so much of the darkness.

5. Going to the local farmer’s market

When I think of September, my mind immediately associates it with farmer’s markets and their fresh seasonal produce. What a treat it is to visit a farmer’s market around this time of year and cook with seasonal vegetables and fruit. Pumpkins start to appear everywhere, egg plants, bell peppers, figs, grapes, apples, tomatoes, radicchio… The list goes on and on and the possibilities for new recipes are endless.

In addition, there’s something quite grounding about a farmer’s market. It tends to slow me down and reminds me to savor all the beautiful colors and scents of vegetables, fruits but also cheese, freshly baked bread and roasted chicken. I often come up with the best ideas for new recipes while strolling through a farmer’s market. You’ll usually find me there in the early morning when it is not as crowded. Did I mention I don’t like big crowds?! 😉

6. Baking a delicious chocolate cake

Let’s be honest, we don’t need a reason to bake a chocolate cake! However, to counter the heaviness of having to wake up with the alarm clock again, I need chocolate cake to bring more sweetness into my life. Because tell me, how is it not beauty when you bake a delicious chocolate cake and eat it while it’s still warm and gooey? And as a bonus, you’ll have the house smelling like a warm and delicious hug. Ah yes, a tradition from now on. September equals freshly baked chocolate cake, I’ll eat it when it’s still warm and I’ll regret nothing!

Every season and every month has its charm and treasures to unravel. If you look closely, beauty is all around us, even in the darkness. Look for it and I promise that it will ignite a joie de vivre (joy of living) in you that will make you realize how magnificent our everyday lives can be if we choose to be intentional about it. No, it won’t stop the storms from raging or undue the chaos of our modern, fast paced lives. What it will do, is provide a buffer. It will be able to reduce the shock of life’s unexpected blows. How? Because it will teach you how to become more comfortable with slowing down. To slow down just enough so you can see the greater picture, so you’re vantage point will expand. You will train your eyes and your mind to see all of it, not just the bad, not just the darkness but also the beauty which surrounds all of us.