Brussels, Belgium – A growing sentiment of anticipation for autumn is emerging, with some individuals expressing relief at the prospect of trading summer’s social pressures for the comfort and introspection the cooler season offers. this shift in preference is highlighted by individuals like Charly, who, according to La Libre Belgique, has declared “I can’t take it anymore on the terrace in fact, I want something hot, sweet and comforting.”
The phenomenon extends beyond a simple seasonal preference, with experts identifying a sense of “sun guilt” – a feeling of obligation to maximize enjoyment during the summer months – contributing to fatigue and overload. Psychotherapist Anne-Françoise Meulemans, coordinator at Centeremergences, explains that “Summer may be a source of fatigue for some. The heat,the long days full of sun,the disturbed sleep and the social pressure to fully enjoy the holidays’ as if it were necessary to make them profitable as much as possible,can create a state of overload. We can then feel a form of weariness which is added to fatigue.”
This contrasts sharply with the restorative qualities of autumn. Meulemans notes the season’s impact on neurochemistry, citing research showing a decrease in serotonin and dopamine alongside an increase in melatonin, promoting sleep, and reduced cortisol levels due to the calmer climate. “The nature that passes in autumn colors soothes like pre-hibernation,” she describes, adding that fall habits like “cocooning, drink hot chocolate, curl up in front of the fire, find a more regular rythm” fulfill a need for “comfort and safety.”
The shift also reflects a move from “fomo” (fear of missing out) to “jomo,” – the joy of missing out – as described by Charly, who finds contentment in knowing friends are enduring less-desirable conditions while he embraces autumnal comforts. for many, autumn represents a natural “reset” after the demands of summer, offering a welcome period of break and refocusing.