I'm the first to admit that change is something I feel deeply uncomfortable about. The end of each season brings with it a resentment on my part, which is petty, I realise. In my three decades on this Earth I can honestly say I hold a grudge against the colder months, which rather casts a shadow over half the year. Being an outdoorsy person, I notice all the problems that autumn introduces and winter worsens. Dark mornings, dark evenings, they hold you hostage indoors. Freezing cold nights and early starts do not a happy marriage make.
It's no doubt me who needs to change my mindset; thinking of change as an opportunity instead of a liability, to embrace the new and relish journeying into a new part of the cycle. I'd love to feel the same excitement as others profess to hold for the forthcoming months.
How do you feel about the change of seasons?
Sophie

Summer flowering heathers, little springs of wild gems. If this is meadow vetch I'll be over the moon at my diagnosis.

This and that. Purples peep from 'tween the grasses.


The closest I have got to a wildflower meadow. I yearn for a proper field of beauty.



Let's stay this way for ever.

Sophie

Old faithful; that's how I think of this dress. I bought it years ago, via ebay no doubt - at one stage that was my mainstay way of shopping. The postman got quite tired of delivering parcels. Anyway, this dress has remained one of my reliable favourites, suitable for everything. Flattering, practical, warm enough, cool enough, always looks just right. It was, however, too much for a poke around a local auction over the bank holiday weekend... When most of the other locals looked like they were ready to jump back into their tractors I stood out like a floral sore thumb. Maybe the flowers in my hair were the final straw.

The crux of the post was to reach out to you - fellow bloggers - who either never, or hardly ever post outfit pictures of yourselves. I can't emphasise enough how important I consider it to be comfortable with how you dress and how you feel. I started taking outfit pictures back in 2011 and ouch some of them were uncomfortable. Maybe you feel just as awkward as I was. Maybe not.
I used to hate my hair and skin - for years, since I was about 12 or 13 when you start to notice how you compare to other girls. it's only in the last 3 to 4 years that not only have I embraced how I naturally look but actually feel good bout myself. A smile goes a long way. Relaxed shoulders and a twirl for good measure. Knowing who you are is a bit of an unburdening...
It only takes a minute, or four to take some pictures of yourself and reflect on that. I got all of these in four minutes. Of course, if you're after something more specific it may take much longer but I always prefer to pick out a few which turn out the most flattering.
It's too easy to lose sight of who you are, or look like. My advice is to run with it, breathe easy and smile. Pick your fights carefully; there is no point wasting energy fighting yourself. There are plenty more battles out there more worthwhile.


I'm rustic. Little make up, wild curls.... That's who I am. It only takes a minute to see.
Sophie

It's too easy to take things for granted. The big things, the little things. Health, age, season.... You name it, I've probably taken it for granted at some point in my life, if not now. Sometimes you get a wake up call. Often you don't.
I made it a mission to appreciate myself more a long time ago, although I think the post has been long since archived. You see a lot of these weight loss journey stories with people saying how overjoyed they are with the results and how they feel so good about themselves now. Well, I wanted to feel like that without any journey. Looking in the mirror and smiling; feeling happy to be myself. Celebrating how much effort I've put in to looking after myself and appreciating who I am instead of picking at faults and chastising. Wearing a smile instead of a frown.
Waking up in a comfortable bed to the sound of the birds singing. I really feel grateful for being able to open the back door and breathe in the fresh air; the quiet and the calm are things that are of great value to me.
Living in a beautiful part of the country. It's lovely here. Safe. Quiet. I take it for granted all the time, every day. My Gran yearned to move back into the town when my Grandpa passed away. I never understood it. I still can't. She liked the hubbub, the life, the busy comings and goings. It's something which makes my skin crawl. I love distance. I'll sit back from the the town. I don't want to be part of that busy life. Terrifying things happen on the streets of towns and cities every day. Things you don't want to think about; they turn your stomach and make your blood run cold. Unhuman acts. Civilisation is perhaps the wrong word.
I want to remember how fortunate I am, all the time, that I have the privilege of being left alone to my own devices. To be lucky enough to live my life as I wish is a wonderful thing. Taking my camera out to capture the smallest of things is a luxury I shouldn't take for granted.
Stay safe,
Sophie

I ought to pass comment about these new hair accessories. An impulse purchase from Tesco the other week. Much as I adore the bold simplicity of these flat flowers, I omitted to take into account that they would dwarf my head with their mighty size! Thank goodness my hair is so long else people may think that a flower has grown legs and contravened all modern understanding of genetic evolution.
 That lace though.... It may be Primark (charity shopped at that) but by gum, it's pretty.
 Yes to smiling in the sunshine. Yes to closer inspection of summer flowering heathers.


Yes.
Take care,
Sophie

Well, September crept up on me quickly. I was so busy enjoying August to see how close we were to the cusp; before I knew it the dawn had brought with it a new month. If you've been reading this blog for a while you'll probably have gathered that my heart lies in summer, awakened in spring. The wind down of autumn into winter is not a prospect I relish but over the last few years I have sought high and low for the highlights and joys of each season - and somewhat bigheadedly I think I've managed it.
For the next few weeks at least I'm hoping for warm weather and sunshine. Then maybe as we head to October I can reluctantly admit that things will take a turn for the cooler. Evenings already feel like they are drawing in quickly. Taking an evening stroll is something of a brisker affair to make it home before dark but is well worth persisting with until the very last day. Bare legs and arms, or sometimes a warmer jumper but sunglasses to shield my eyes from the setting sun. I'm holding on to the lasting moments of my favourite season until the bitter end.
Sophie