As Brits, and perhaps as humans in general, we have a fascination with the weather. It’s the first thing we bring up in conversation, especially with someone we don’t know well. Whether it’s too hot, too cold, raining, or unexpectedly sunny, the weather becomes the perfect icebreaker. There’s something universal about this, weather is a shared experience we all live through.

Despite our continuous dialogue about it, there’s an odd forgetfulness that comes with each passing season. Think about it—can you recall the exact moment when you first noticed the crisp air of autumn last year? Or when the flowers began to bloom in spring? Perhaps you remember the first snowfall, but even that memory tends to fade, blending into the present year after year.

The Shift in Weather: How Does It Make You Feel?

Each season’s arrival never fails to intrigue us. Every autumn, we feel that shift, the first cool morning, the wind picking up, or the rain becoming more frequent. It always sparks some reaction in us, whether it’s joy, indifference, or even a hint of melancholy. No matter how we feel, there’s something about the weather that pulls us back to the present moment.

Reflect on your reactions. Take a moment to reflect on your own reaction the last time the seasons shifted. How did it make you feel? Did the cool air excite you for autumn? Or did it bring a sense of dread for the colder days ahead? Even indifference is a feeling worth noticing because it reminds us that emotions aren’t always loud or extreme, they can be subtle and fleeting.

Embracing change without judgment

Here’s the key: it’s not about judging how you feel about the changing weather. Whether you love it, hate it, or feel neutral, all of these reactions are simply part of being human. They remind us that life is constantly changing, just like the seasons. When we tune into those small moments, like the weather shifting, we open ourselves to finding joy and peace in our surroundings.

Practicing Mindfulness through observation

This act of noticing the chill in the air, the falling leaves, or even a sudden downpour can be a way of practicing mindfulness. It invites us to stop for a moment, to observe without judgment. By embracing the change around us, we can apply this same mindset to other areas of our lives.

When we face something unexpected, like an unpleasant comment or an encounter with an old conflict, we can choose to see it as just another shift. Like the weather, these moments aren’t inherently good or bad, they’re just changes. And once we accept them for what they are, without labeling them, we create room for peace.

Start with the weather

It all starts with something as simple as commenting on the weather. Next time you find yourself in conversation, talking about the rain or the sunshine, take a moment to notice how you feel in that moment. Use it as a reminder that change is constant, and with each change, there’s an opportunity to be present, to notice, and to embrace the world around you.