Autumn rituals

Finding harmony in our creative seasons + making autumnal magic

Hi, I'm Sarah, and I craft brands that feel like home. Join me as I explore the seasons in our businesses and take a gentle, nurturing and playful approach to strategy, styling and storytelling. Enjoy my writing? Support me by subscribing to my cosy corner of Substack.

Creativity waxes and wanes, evolving from one season to the next. We all likely experience periods of inspiration followed by times of stagnation. And recognising and supporting these natural cycles can be valuable. As someone who’s experienced the extremes of burnout, I try to take notice as my energy rises and falls.

Our creative seasons also come in many forms, and I thrive best in being, daydreaming, and surrendering. As Elizabeth Gilbert once said: “Creativity is not the result of some magic trick. It’s a skill you can cultivate through consistent practice and the willingness to embrace stillness and silence.” And this is true for me. I’m so much more resourceful after periods of rest, and some of my best work has emerged from fallow stretches.

The season I find myself in now is one of input over output. As a result, I'm choosing to set aside time for more administrative, less glamorous tasks, as well as for problem-solving and decision-making. All essential parts of the creative process.

“There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story.”

— Linda Hogan

I’m due to return to the studio and resume client projects in December, beginning with planning and scheduling for the year ahead, so I’m trying to steady myself in preparation for branding activities and creative mentoring. I'm looking forward to developing visuals for a yoga studio, crafting a card deck for a treasured client, and creating branding for a fellow Substacker. I also plan to put more sweat and soul into this space when time allows.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve noticed a stronger sense of alignment growing around my work. And one of my main focus areas moving forward, not only within my studio but with Substack, is identifying more collaborative opportunities. Because it gives me the chance to shine a spotlight on others while tending to myself. And collaboration, I believe, is at the heart of this platform.

While I love to read standalone pieces, there’s a richer sense of creativity when we invite others into our spaces. This interplay often cultivates a stronger sense of belonging, community, and fulfilment too. It’s a vibrant exchange of energies that I'm keen to explore when I’m back in the studio.

Making the magic

Last week, I published a guest blog by Laura McMahon of The Smallest Light. She wrote about the enchantment of autumn for This Creative Life, my series about creative living, working and playing. And I wasn’t expecting such a generous invitation to deepen into the flow of this season, where everyday habits can unfold into sacred rituals.

“Autumn, with its mellow pace and transitional energy, has long been celebrated as a wellspring of inspiration for artists, writers, and creatives. There is something so bewitching about the change in the air, the leaves shedding, and the natural world shifting towards darkness once again. A magical potency which inspires us to go inward and explore our own transformations in distinct and imaginative ways.”

— Laura McMahon

In her contribution, Laura takes us on a lyrical journey, from crafting vision boards and carving pumpkins to savouring walks in nature and bringing our pen to paper. The full article is a nourishing read and well worth dipping into: Autumn rituals for igniting creativity.

As we shift further into this season, I'm called to treasure quiet time with my son before embracing a new pace of life and work. And I'm excited to get messy and playful with my daughter as we dive into wreath making, baking, and screen printing.

In moments of me time, my hope is to explore my creative practice and improve some of my writing habits.

The following Substacks have offered so much inspiration to support these activities and my intentions.

Charlene Storey

of

Haver & Sparrow

gathers her favourite creative books to encourage and empower you.

12 of my favourite books about writing & creativity

Hunter Burgtorf

of

The Magically Mundane

shares a personal essay on living slowly in the autumn season.

The Simple Magic of October

Victoria Harrison

of

Seasonal Living with Victoria Harrison

writes beautifully on the topic of Halloween rituals.

6 Ancient and Peaceful Halloween Traditions To Try This Year

Also, in my reading pile is Slow Seasons: A Creative Guide to Reconnecting with Nature the Celtic Way. This gorgeous book by

Everything Looks Rosie

is filled with insights into the Celtic Wheel of the Year plus recipes and projects. It’s an uplifting guide to a life aligned with the rhythms of nature, and I can’t wait to follow along, beginning right here in the heart of autumn.

“By slowing down and paying attention to the ebbs and flows of nature, we can find moments of calm whenever we need them.”

— Rosie Steer

I’d love for you to share your own creative or seasonal rituals in the comments below. Here are a few prompts to guide you.

• How has the shift in seasons shaped your creative process?

• Is there a specific aspect of autumn that you love to wrap yourself up in?

• What seasonal practices are sparking your imagination?

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