The Art of Slow Living: Embracing Autumn
We are moving towards the Autumn Equinox here in New Zealand—a moment of perfect balance, where day and night stand as equals. A mirror of spring, yet this time, the awakening turns to rest.
Autumn is a season of scent and texture, colour and depth. The smell of rain-soaked earth, of crisp leaves curling into brittle parchment, perfuming the air with a quiet rustiness. The salty pull of the sea as waves grow heavier, the unmistakable whisper of fire in the distance. There is something magnetic about this shift—the way morning mist lingers a little longer, the crunch of leaves underfoot, the first breath of air tinged with woodsmoke and fallen apples. Yet, summer is not quite forgotten, its warmth still drifting, lingering in golden afternoons.
It is a season of rituals, of turning inward, of wrapping oneself in warmth—physically, emotionally, and sensorially. As nature shifts, so too should we. This is the perfect time to slow down, to savour, to reimagine the everyday with a sense of mindfulness. Here are a few ways to fully immerse yourself in the beauty of autumn and embrace its quiet magic.
Curate an Autumnal Atmosphere
As the season changes, so can our spaces. Consider it an opportunity to turn your home into a retreat, a sanctuary. Now is the time to swap the airy, sun-drenched scents of summer for something richer, deeper—fragrances that feel like curling up with a cashmere throw and a well-worn book. Think smoky vetiver, warm amber, golden woods, and a whisper of sweet orange and spices drifting through the air.
Candles become more than a source of light; they become an invitation to slow down. The flicker of a flame, the delicate swirl of scented wax, the simple act of lighting one as we go about our rituals, it’s that all important signal of intent to pause. Some of my favourite fragrances for autumn are: fig and cedar, nutmeg and orange peel, or the deep, resinous warmth of myrrh.
Seasonal Self-Care: Slowing Down with Intention
Autumn calls for a gentler pace, a recalibration after the energy of summer. This is a time for nourishment—in every sense. Swap out light, cooling body oils for something richer, infused with deep, hydrating botanicals. Indulge in warm evening baths scented with sandalwood, chamomile, or vanilla. Introduce a fragrance ritual before bed - for us, this looks like filling diffusers through our house (the kids love picking out fragrances for their mood) and misting your pillow with lavender, rose and frankincense. Lately I’ve been diving into the idea of sleep fragrances and sleep perfume, but more on that later. Simply using scent and taking a slow, intentional breath, and letting the day soften into night.
It is also the perfect time to return to page and pen. Cool mornings and dark evenings call out for a few quiet moments to journal—to set intentions, to reflect, to let thoughts pour onto paper like leaves falling from a tree.
The Rhythm of the Season: Reimagining Daily Rituals
Autumn is a time of sensory indulgence. The crispness of a morning walk wrapped in a wool coat and scarf, the steam curling from a cup of coffee (or chai or even matcha!), the way the candlelight shifts and dances on the walls as the evenings stretch longer. It’s about leaning into the beauty of transition, reframing the everyday into something more romantic, more meaningful.
Start the day with a moment of grounding—lighting incense as you sip your coffee, misting your space with a scent that feels warm and cocooning (I’’ll be sharing some simple rituals as we move through the weeks). As the sun sets earlier, create a soft ritual of transition, a way to mark the close of the day—perhaps by lighting a scented candle, letting its glow signal a shift from doing to simply being.
An Invitation to Autumn
As the season turns, let it be an invitation—a gentle reminder to embrace change, to find joy in slowing down, to honour the beauty in small, fleeting moments. Whether through scent, ritual, or simply allowing yourself to move with a different rhythm, autumn asks us to be present, to notice, to savour.
Let this be the season where you carve out time for yourself, where you lean into ritual, where fragrance becomes a language of comfort and self-expression. Let the air be filled with the scent of turning leaves, of warm spices, of something softer, slower, and infinitely more intentional.
The question is: how will you welcome autumn this year?
In my next blog, I’ll be sharing what products will be retiring for now, what will be making a come back and what our new palatte will be for the shift in season.
Share your autumn rituals with us on Instagram @scentedfable—we’d love to see how you celebrate the season.