The Comfort of Talking to Loved Ones

When having a hard time, there is little else more comforting than sitting down with a close friend, partner, or family member, who you know cares about you. Being surrounded by people who already know your history and want the best for your well-being can feel deeply supportive. However, as generous as loved ones are with their time and care, they often lack the tact and skill needed to help us navigate difficult life challenges.

Stepping out of my door on a September morning, I'm immediately smacked in the face with the crisp air of fall. The hillsides might not be as colorful as I’m used to back on the east coast, but even here in Colorado, I find parts of myself remembering and reaching for autumn. My seasonal rituals are not separate from this change, as every fall I rediscover beloved-but-temporarily-forgotten recipes (hello again, pumpkin bread and butternut squash soup) or the box of sweaters that have been patiently waiting through summer’s heat to wrap me in thrifted warmth.

As the daylight of summer slowly slips away, I’m drawn to walk my neighborhood each day, searching for those first hints of yellow and orange in the leaves. At night, the full harvest moon feels closer and brighter than those of recent months - making me forget, momentarily, the shortening days. Even the raccoons growing fat for winter are a reminder of the season's change (this is where you get to envision me trying to casually throw out my trash and instead being stared down by an entire racoon family).