The end of summer ain't so bad

Is it just me that gets excited as September nears?

At long last we’ve had some summer!

Fleeting, maybe, but I’ve spent a lot of this week getting outside as much as possible to soak in the rays (and humidity — not so glorious, let’s be honest). I’ve finally worn clothes from my summer wardrobe and not had to worry about taking a jacket, including a rather risky trip to the sunflower farm in an all-white ensemble (it survived). I’ve taken slow walks in the park without the loom of a dramatic-looking dark cloud fast approaching and I’ve had many chats about how lovely the weather is — much like this one right here. So very British isn’t it to talk about the weather? We can’t help it. It’s a conversation starter, filler and just easy on the brain.

I can’t help but feel, though, despite this long-awaited sunshine, that I’m ready for what’s next. I love September. There’s something about it. It’s a transitional month between hot and cold that’s often blessed with a so-called Indian Summer, the mornings are crisp but bright with a lovely warm hue to the low sun, there’s a sense of optimism in the air as things shift from slow summer days to more routine ones – whether that’s back to work, back to school, a new diary, or even simply a new motivation, whatever that might be for you.

I wrote earlier in the year about how February is the real new year for me in many ways. I think the month of September has many of the same ‘get up and go’ qualities. Maybe it’s ingrained from school days when September really did mean the start of something new, complete with new pencil case, bag, shoes and too-crisp white shirt?

While I don’t have any new stationery (I have more than enough of that!), black shoes these days are either sandals or boots (neither of which would have made the uniform cut) and white shirts are largely out because I hate ironing, I do have that feeling of ‘let’s do this!’.

My birthday is actually in September and while this isn’t reason for my fondness, I have often wondered whether we are drawn to the month, or season, in which we were born. I know friends who much prefer winter to warmer climes and their birthdays fall in winter. And vice versa. It reminds me of a colour personality session I once went to with colour expert Sophie Robinson during Focus at Design Centre Chelsea Harbour, as part of London Design Festival.

She asked everyone in attendance to think about what colour palette they’re drawn to — whether for decorating or for what you wear since it’s often said you should take inspiration from your wardrobe when deciding on which colours you like. Then, Sophie showed four examples of colour palettes — one for winter, spring, summer and autumn. You can probably imagine the types of hues that each of those would show. Typical autumnal colours like oranges, dark greens and rich tones made up the autumn palette, moody hues for winter, I recall, and brighter tones with slightly different feels for the warmer seasons. Of course, I was immediately drawn to autumn and looking in my wardrobe and around my home, there seems to be truth in the theory if my dark green living room and terracotta dining area are anything to go by.

There is no scientific evidence for any of this, but there are plenty of intriguing reads about the possibility of seasons affecting how we feel. We’re all likely familiar with SAD – seasonal affective disorder – which is proven and is when a decreased exposure to sunlight negatively affects things like mood, motivation and energy levels. And while we can anecdotally discuss feeling happier on sunny days and more motivated at certain times, there’s no real proof. I did look into it and discovered an article on Very Well Mind which rather amusingly linked seasonality to a personality test, which of course I did. It says:

‘While parts of the world tend to think of spring as the season of renewal, fall [autumn] is also a very good time for a fresh start. The vibrant orange colours and cooler weather of autumn appeal to your constant desire for change.’

Although I’m not giving merit to that as anything but a bit of fun, the piece does link to interesting reports on the impact of environment to mood, with the caveat that many things can have an impact, including environmental factors and personal experiences, so take it with a pinch of salt.

Nevertheless, I find it immensely interesting how we can be enticed by certain things –whether it be colour or a time of year. Some may think it a bit woo-woo, but I get the same feeling at this time every year and each time it brings with it a certain spring in my step.

Tell me, which month of the year do you have an affinity to?

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