Your guide to living seasonally | How to embrace the seasons

I first learned about living seasonally on YouTube, after viewing hauls of autumn decor, Christmas trees decked like John Lewis displays and Cath Kidston picnic baskets stuffed with M&S “picky bits” at sunset beaches.

While I’m grateful for these seasonal snippets for my viewing pleasure, I don’t believe that living seasonally requires you to spend money. Sure, building a collection of matching baubles for the Christmas tree seems fun (and a picnic basket is firmly on my list for when I move to the countryside!). But, seasons are about more than that – they’re about the feeling that they bring. I’m learning to make the most of every day and season, and I wanted to share with you how I’m practising this deeper connection.

“The reality is that appreciating what we have now is the only way to find true fulfilment, and learning to live seasonally is a beautiful way to support that.”

What is living seasonally?

Living seasonally is synchronising with the changing seasons and embracing the cyclical nature of life. It’s in line with slow living and can provoke seasonal eating and activities, such as making soup and reading by the fire in the winter, or making salads and having walks on the beach in the summer. It’s about making the most of what each season brings and directing energy into what feels good to you for the time of year.

The benefits of seasonal living

Learning to love and immerse myself in the season is something that I’m still practising and learning about. But, as well as marvelling at the divine change in nature, living seasonally offers a host of beautiful benefits.

Promotes community and connection

Often, when I’m focused on a particular project or goal, such as developing my spiritual practice, the box for social connection is left unticked in favour of focusing on my development. But, the seasons are teaching me to connect with my community. Whether that’s attending a summer festival, bonfire night display or pumpkin picking at my local farm, seasonal activities encourage me to be part of the community experience. Thus, allowing me to connect with others during otherwise insular periods.

Increases spirituality and cyclical living

Seasonal living brings spiritual significance, allowing us to deepen our connection to something greater than ourselves. It helps us to live by a cyclical nature with ourselves and the moon, which I discuss in my blog post about raising your vibration. Essentially, your mind, body and spirit live by the seasons, too, and it’s beautiful to honour this. The winter might encourage you to rest and reflect, with fewer social engagements on the calendar, while the boost of vitamin D in the summer can develop the desire for socialising and attracting opportunities. I hope to attend a summer solstice event in the future to align and connect with like-minded souls while welcoming the summer.

Encourages living in the now

I still catch myself out on this, despite having practised intentional living for years. I find myself watching vlogs on YouTube for different seasons, craving the frost of winter amid the hottest day of summer, and vice versa. Recently, I proclaimed that it was “finally” summer in the middle of May in a post on X. But, the summer solstice doesn’t begin until 20 June, meaning that spring is far from over.

In life, we’re always rushing to get to the next destination, proclaiming that we’ll be happy when something is finally within our grasp – whether that be a new job, a new house or a dream wedding. Often, I hear this come up in conversation. Recently, I heard, “When the wedding is out of the way, I can relax”. Truthfully, it resonated with me because it felt all too familiar.

The reality is that appreciating what we have now is the only way to find true fulfilment, and learning to live seasonally is a beautiful way to support that.

Seasonal living inspiration

I’ve created some inspiration for activities that bring me joy in the seasonal change. But, if you can, I recommend seeking out a book to refer to during the year. A family member bought me The Happiness Year by Tara Ward for Christmas and I’ve loved the simple pleasure of owning it, performing the activities that resonate with me the most and casting my eyes over the beautiful illustrations.

Spring

– Learn the art of gardening by planting flowers, herbs or vegetables in your garden (or on your windowsill if you’re a fellow city dweller). It’s the perfect activity to celebrate the season of growth and renewal.
– Take your exercise practice outside, whether it be yoga or a HIIT workout, to soak up the sunshine and fresh air while connecting with the energy of spring in the natural world.
– Pack a cool bag (or a picnic basket, if you have one) with seasonal fruits, sandwiches, salads and pink lemonade, and enjoy eating foods surrounded by blooming flowers and greenery with your loved ones.

Summer

– Take a day trip to the seaside and enjoy long walks on the beach, fish and chips on the promenade and sunbathing with a wholesome book.
– Attend a local festival showcasing live music, performances, art exhibits and food vendors, and use it as an opportunity to let your hair down and connect with others.
– Create an outdoor dining experience in your garden or on your balcony to enjoy a homemade meal, al fresco. You can decorate the scene with fairy lights, a colourful tablecloth and fresh flowers for a holiday atmosphere, and cook a dish that uses seasonal ingredients. Plus, eating seasonally is great for the planet.

Autumn

– Go for a leisurely walk in the woods or countryside and admire the changing colours of the leaves. You can collect foliage for seasonal crafting, too.
– Go pumpkin picking and cook your choice into a delicious seasonal soup or curry. Remember to only buy what you can consume, though.
– Have a movie night at home by bringing the duvet down, lighting a seasonal candle and ordering your favourite takeaway.

Winter

– Bake delicious cookies, cakes or bread infused with festive flavours such as gingerbread, peppermint or cranberry.
– Visit a Christmas market and browse the stalls selling handcrafted gifts and decorations (with a mulled wine in hand, of course).
– Have a games night at home with your friends and family, complete with a selection of Christmas-inspired snacks and your favourite board games.

I hope this blog post has sparked an interest in embracing the seasons, sister. Remember, as I touched on in the introduction, making the best of each season isn’t about spending money – it’s about savouring the moments and enjoying the connection and peace that living in this way can bring.

Are you living seasonally? I would love to create a follow-up blog post containing other ideas, and welcome them in my inbox and the comments.

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