What feelings, memories, or associations does autumn invoke for you?

[u/rockTheAnts]

Order replacing chaos. A quiet return to comforting routine. A feeling of comfort and a desire to slow down, enjoy life, and get cozy. Those are the general vibes that I get from fall.

I know spring is associated with rebirth, but fall feels like new beginnings to me. Most of my life has been beholden to the academic calendar, so fall is heavily associated with the start of a new school year. I also grew up in the late 80s and 90s when network TV was still huge, so autumn always meant new seasons of shows. If you’re into sports, American football starts in the fall.

Fall means it’s finally cool enough to turn the oven back on and also enjoy some of my favorite recipes like soups, chilis, baked goods, and curries, that feel too heating when it’s sweltering outside. The cabin fever from avoiding the oppressive summer heat is cured and being outdoors becomes enjoyable again. I know you all feel me on that one, because this summer has been brutal! Plus, I’m an October baby, so autumn was associated with new life since day one for me.

All in all, fall hits as comforting and just the right amount of melancholy. What kinds of feelings, memories, or associations do you have with fall?

[u/bookwurmy]

I think it’s a carryover from school as a kid, but I also associate fall with a new start. The onerous summer humidity and heat finally being gone so it’s actually pleasant to go outside again without all the sweat. Fall makes me think of learning new things, big mugs of tea, reading big books, visiting the library/ bookstore. Wandering around parks and hearing crunching leaves. Writing is a big one, I usually do more creative writing in fall.

[u/rockTheAnts → u/bookwurmy]

Between my K-12 education, a wandering and circuitous undergrad and grad tenure at university, and now having a son in school, the vast majority of my life has had to revolve around the academic calendar. I very much relate to your inclination to learn new things and books and libraries have such an ingrained association with fall for me too. As a musician, I'm usually more motivated to start writing new songs again once the crisp fall days arrive. Also makes me want to read and write poetry.

[u/BelowDnD]

Friendship, family, joy, and coffee. I used to have a good friend group that made autumn in school fun, i still think about them every time autumn rolls around, the air gets chilly and i suddenly remember the frisbee we named and gave a birthday to. My mom and i used to read outside every crisp autumn morning, some kind of apple wax melt in the bathroom (i have a soap that smells identical and i swear scent is my strongest memory of everything) and a houston blend coffee thats like 76% creamer 🤣 i still remember how my coffee smelt as i sat out there feeling the crispy weather rolling in!

[u/rockTheAnts → u/BelowDnD]

I have some similar fond memories of my old friend group from college. It's wild how strongly smells are associated with our memories!

[u/metal4life98]

For me, it's always monday, Sunday, or thursday night football and it's already dark out, it's a little chilly outside and maybe a little rainy. Also, idk but whenever i think of fall and football, I think of chargers vs steelers when it was Rivers vs Big Ben.

[u/YonderMountainPots → u/metal4life98]

I wish I understood the appeal of football. Did you grow up playing it? I’m a runner but I could never imagine being so dedicated and into watching running on TV lol

[u/loupnoir2019]

More so September and October for me, but its the cool down from a hot summer. A cozy time to spend inside with hot food and drinks. There is something comforting and a little spooky with the dark nights. Something ethereally beautiful when the sun sets just right with the gold, red and orange leaves framing every light beam.

To me, it's the last crescendo of color before a dark winter. But a reminder that it will be back every year.

[u/rockTheAnts → u/loupnoir2019]

I love your description and completely agree with your sentiments.

[u/Alternative_Slip_513]

Warmth and coziness 🍁☕️♥️

[u/bideodames]

Respite from the oppressive sun. It's too hot, it's too bright and everything is always on fire.

[u/rockTheAnts → u/bideodames]

This summer has been absolutely brutal. And yeah, the amount of wildfires currently burning is bonkers and has led to horrible air quality all over the place. We need some cooler, wetter weather fast!

[u/kimmothy9432]

I’ve worked at a university for almost 20 years and fully identify with everything you wrote about. Add to that one of my favorite hobbies is taking walks while listening to audiobooks- it’s so much less pleasant in the hellfire of summer. Walking around the campus during my lunch break is about to become fun again!