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    Home » Blog » Reset Your Habits

    Autumn Blues: Why Do I Feel Sad For No Reason?

    Published: Oct 20, 2023 by Zina Harrington · Post may contain affiliate links

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    Autumn Blues catches people off-guard. You are not alone in asking yourself, "Why do I feel sad for no reason?" Learn why you may struggle.

    Woman struggling with Autumn Blues, sitting on a chair outside with a winter coat on, looking into the woods full of fall leaves.

    As the vibrant hues of early autumn gradually give way to the warm and earthy tones of fall, a significant shift occurs in nature and within ourselves.

    Fall is often celebrated as an active time of beauty, transition, and transformation.

    While you may have eagerly anticipated cozy sweaters, pumpkin spice lattes, and the scenic beauty of this season, you might still find yourself asking, "Why do I feel sad for no reason?" You are not alone.

    For some, fall is a season marked by Autumn Blues — a sense of melancholy, restlessness, and overwhelm.

    Understanding Autumn Blues

    Autumn Blues often catch people off-guard.

    Understanding the reasons behind Autumn Blues is the first step toward finding strategies to navigate the season more effectively.

    In this post, you will find:

    • Subconscious reasons why you might be feeling low in the fall
    • Habits and workarounds for Autumn Blues pitfalls
    • Additional resources for moving forward

    5 Causes of Autumn Blues

    Below are five subconscious reasons you may be asking yourself, "Why am I sad for no reason?" The following things can lead to Autumn Blues.

    1. Less Sunlight & Shorter Days

    As autumn progresses, days become shorter, and daylight hours decrease.

    People often reference struggles with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter. However, most begin subconsciously feeling the physical loss of light in the fall.

    Why this might subconsciously make you feel sad: The decrease in natural light can cause chemical changes in your brain, increase melatonin production, and disrupt your body's internal clock. This can lead to feelings of lethargy and sadness.

    Autumn Blues workarounds:

    • Consider trying a wake-up light instead of a traditional alarm if you struggle with getting up in the morning
    • Spend ten minutes outside before noon to keep your internal clock on pace
    • Look for creative ways to infuse your life with light
    • A woman walking in the woods in the morning, the early sunlight reflecting from her as if she is the light.
      Use A Wake-Up Light To Create Your Own Sunshine
    • 5 Ways Globe String Lights Help Improve Your Mood
    • Woman's hands holding a small bouquet of daisies
      9 Self-Love Quotes for Hard Days
    • A woman sipping on a cup of hot cocoa practicing winter self-care and reading with candle.
      Winter Self-Care: 20 Ways To Infuse Your Life With Light

    2. Chilly Weather

    With the arrival of autumn (in the northern hemisphere), temperatures drop, and many people find themselves spending more time indoors.

    Why it might subconsciously make you sad: The chill in the air can make it less appealing to connect with friends outdoors. This can lead to a sense of isolation and reduced physical activity, both of which can contribute to low mood.

    Autumn Blues Workarounds:

    • Reclaim the power of Sunday Dinner with your family or friends
    • Make time for movement; consider body-doubling if you're neurobusy
    • Research other simple ways to make yourself happy
    • A woman checking off an item from her fall bucket list; she's holding an autumn leaf she's collecting while wearing a chunky autumn sweater.
      100 Fall Bucket List Ideas: Slow Down & Savor Autumn
    • 18 Easy Things To Do TODAY to Make Yourself Happier

    3. Loss of Outdoor Adventures

    For those who enjoy warm weather activities like hiking, picnics, or gardening, deep autumn marks the end of the prime outdoor season in many regions.

    Why it might subconsciously make you sad: Losing these unbusy activities can lead to a sense of loss and a decrease in physical and social engagement.

    Autumn Blues Workarounds:

    • Invest in some high-quality cold-weather gear and go outside anyway
    • Be intentional about connecting with people you care about in the fall
    • Look at your life list and, if feasible, plan a winter trip to look forward to
    • Woman holding her arms open wide in a vast field.
      200 Bucket List Ideas: Inspiration for Women Who Want to Embrace Life
    • An adventerous woman standing on the edge of a rock with her arms up looking out at a lake and mountains at sunset.
      12 Adventure Quotes To Spark Joy & Wanderlust

    4. Fallen Leaves & Nature's Decline

    As the leaves change color and eventually drop, the bare trees of autumn bring a unique blend of emotions.

    Why it might subconsciously make you sad: While the fall foliage is beautiful, the sight of nature's transition to dormancy can symbolize loss and decay. This visual reminder of impermanence and change can be emotionally challenging.

    Autumn Blues Workarounds:

    • Practice daily gratitude and write three things you're thankful for each day
    • Embrace the gentle reminder to opt-out of a default life and live with intention
    • A woman holding a bouquet of sunflowers.
      How To Start Over: 5 Steps To Reboot Your Life
    • 5 Ways To Opt-Out of a Default Life

    5. Upcoming Holiday Stress

    Autumn is the precursor to the holiday season, which can be a stressful time for many. Can you feel your shoulders tightening?

    Why it might subconsciously make you sad: Holiday preparations, financial obligations, and family expectations can contribute to anxiety and depression. Plus, the pressure to mask, be festive, and be cheerful can be overwhelming for people who are neurobusy or already experiencing low moods.

    Autumn Blues Workarounds:

    • Start celebrating the holiday season early to give yourself more room to breathe
    • Find simple ways to slow the season down, like meditating with holiday puzzles
    • Embrace a new set of unbusy holiday mindsets
    • Simplify the season by buying less and giving more
    • Plain Christmas lights aglow in darkness.
      7 Reasons To Start Celebrating Christmas Now
    • Collage of Christmas jigsaw puzzles.
      18 Christmas Jigsaw Puzzles For Unwinding & Relaxing
    • 5 Holiday Mindsets to Help Simplify the Season
    • 11 ideas for simplifying the holiday season to give more but buy less #BecomingUnBusy *Loving this list of ideas and this site
      How to Simplify the Holidays by Buying Less but Giving More

    Additional Autumn Blues Resources

    Want to do a deep dive? You may find these additional Autumn Blues resources useful.

    • A somber woman grasping a hot mug of tea with both hands wondering, "Why is my life falling apart?"
      Life is Falling Apart: Here's Why, What To Expect & How To Reset
    • 10 Things You Can Do RIGHT NOW To Choose Small Moments of Joy
    • Anxious woman sitting relaxed with a book and cup of coffee.
      The 21 Day Anti-Anxiety Challenge
    • Womans feet resting on a car dashboard as she lives an unbalanced life.
      Perfectly Imperfect: The Joy and Delight of an Unbalanced Life

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    A headline collage for pinning on Pinterest that includes a photo of a woman struggling with Autumn Blues sitting on a chair outside and a photo of a fallen leaf on a forest floor.

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    « Winter Self-Care: 20 Ways To Infuse Your Life With Light
    12 Ways To Simplify Your Holiday »
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