The First Signs of Autumn (What I’m Noticing)

The Magic of Seasonal Shifts

There’s a certain kind of magic in the moment summer tips into autumn. It’s rarely a sharp change. More often, it’s a gentle collection of small signs — a chill in the morning air, the sound of leaves underfoot, or the first pumpkin on a neighbour’s doorstep.

For me, seasonal living is all about noticing these tiny shifts and letting them guide the rhythm of my days. September and October are especially rich months for this. Every walk, every meal, and every morning routine seems to carry a quiet whisper that the season is turning. Today, I thought I’d share the first signs of autumn I’m noticing — those small but powerful markers that remind me autumn has truly arrived.

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1. The Change in the Light

The first and most striking sign of autumn is always the light. Mornings arrive with a softness that wasn’t there before, and evenings are edged with gold and shadows. That slant of light feels instantly grounding — like an invitation to slow down and savour.

Noticing tip: Step outside just before sunset and watch how the sky shifts. The pinks, oranges, and deeper blues are pure autumn theatre.

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2. A New Chill in the Air

No matter how warm the afternoons, the mornings and evenings carry a new crispness. It’s the kind of air that makes you reach for a cardigan, even if you didn’t need one last week.

Noticing tip: Pay attention to how your breath feels outdoors in the morning. That sharper, cooler inhale is one of autumn’s clearest signals.

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3. Leaves Beginning to Fall

It starts slowly. A few scattered brown leaves on the pavement, a handful of yellow ones clinging to the hedge. Before long, it’s the rustle of piles underfoot.

Noticing tip: Keep a small basket by your back door. When you find especially pretty leaves, acorns, or conkers, bring them home to create a little “nature table.”

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4. Berries and Hedgerows Full of Colour

Blackberries, sloes, rosehips — autumn announces itself in hedgerows before it does in the trees. The abundance is striking, a feast for both people and wildlife.

Noticing tip: Try foraging (safely and responsibly). Even just picking a handful of blackberries for a crumble connects you with the season’s gifts.

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5. The Sound of Autumn

Everything sounds different. Mornings are quieter without summer birdsong, replaced by the caw of crows or the faint rustle of drying leaves. Even footsteps on damp earth carry a hollow, grounding quality.

Noticing tip: Take a “sound walk.” Leave headphones behind and listen for how the soundscape has changed.

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6. Seasonal Foods Appearing

Markets and shops tell the story too. Apples, squashes, pears, root vegetables — the shelves begin to fill with hearty ingredients perfect for soups and bakes.

Noticing tip: Pick one new seasonal fruit or veg each week and build a meal around it. It’s a simple way to live seasonally without fuss.

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7. Wardrobe Shifts

Summer dresses with tights, jumpers pulled from drawers, boots appearing by the door. The shift in clothing feels like a ritual — not just practical, but a reminder that we’re moving into a cosier time of year.

Noticing tip: Refresh your wardrobe from what you already have. The first time you wrap up in a favourite scarf or cardigan, you’ll feel the season settle in.

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8. The Return of Routine

September always carries a back-to-school energy, even if your own school days are long past. Diaries fill up again, alarms are set, and evenings become precious pockets of calm.

Noticing tip: Create one small evening ritual — lighting a candle, making tea, reading for 15 minutes — to help you transition from busy days into restful nights.

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9. The Scent of Autumn

Woodsmoke on the air, damp leaves, spiced bakes in the oven — autumn is a sensory season, and smell is one of its most evocative signs.

Noticing tip: Notice how scent changes as you walk through different places: woods, fields, towns. Even a simple whiff of cinnamon in your kitchen feels like autumn arriving.

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10. A Shift in Energy

Perhaps the most important sign isn’t something you can see, hear, or smell. It’s something you feel. After the looseness of summer, autumn carries a call for balance, grounding, and gentle structure. Many people feel the urge to tidy, reset, and plant intentions for the months ahead.

Noticing tip: Take a quiet moment this week to ask yourself: What do I want this season to feel like? Even one word — “calm,” “cosy,” “balanced” — can guide you through the weeks to come.

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Why It Matters to Notice

Noticing the first signs of autumn is about more than observation. It’s about presence. These small rituals of awareness connect us to the natural world, remind us of our place in it, and bring a little joy into ordinary days.

Seasonal living isn’t about perfection or pressure — it’s about pausing long enough to notice what’s already here.

So next time you spot a berry-laden hedge, a golden sunset, or the first curl of woodsmoke, take a breath. That’s autumn, quietly arriving, and it’s worth savouring.

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Further Reading & Inspiration

• 10 Forgotten Autumn Pleasures to Bring Back
• 15 Mindful Habits for the Autumn Season
• 20 Autumn Journaling Prompts to Reflect and Reset

And for daily glimpses of my own seasonal living, you’ll find me sharing walks, cosy moments, and everyday life over on Instagram.

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Autumn doesn’t crash in with fireworks — it tiptoes in, subtle and gentle, leaving clues for those who pause to notice. The first signs of autumn (or fall) are a reminder that life moves in rhythms, not rushes. And if we can slow down enough to see them, we’ll find not only beauty but also a sense of belonging in the season.

If you’d like to see more of the little seasonal moments I’m noticing each day — from misty walks to cosy corners at home — come join me over on Instagram. I share daily snippets of slow, seasonal living there, and I’d love to connect with you.

Chat soon,

Ciara x