The Beauty of Decay: What Autumn Leaves Teach Us About Renewal
When fall arrives, the world seems to exhale. The heat softens, the air sharpens, and leaves blush in colors that only last for a breath before drifting to the ground. To some, it looks like an ending. But to those who pause long enough to look closely—it’s transformation.
In the world of nature journaling, autumn invites us to witness the sacred rhythm of change. Decay isn’t a failure. It’s a continuation of the story. The leaf that falls feeds the soil that nourishes next spring’s growth. The beauty isn’t only in what’s blooming—it’s also in what’s becoming.
The Science of Letting Go
When chlorophyll breaks down, hidden pigments—reds, golds, and oranges—finally reveal themselves. What looks like fading is actually unveiling. It’s a perfect metaphor for the seasons of our own lives, especially when illness, loss, or change strip away what we thought defined us. Sometimes what remains is what was most beautiful all along.
Research in eco-psychology suggests that connecting with natural cycles of decay and renewal can reduce anxiety and increase resilience (Capaldi et al., Frontiers in Psychology, 2015). Observing nature’s quiet perseverance helps us reframe our own transitions as part of a living process, not a personal failure.
Nature Journaling Exercise: “The Letting Go Page”
You don’t need to hike deep into a forest for this one. Step outside, or even look out a window. Choose a single fallen leaf.
Sketch or trace it—just its outline is enough.
Add color—notice where it’s fading, where it’s bright.
Write beside it:
What parts of your life are ready to fall away?
What remains beautiful even as it changes?
What nourishment might this “decay” bring later?
If drawing feels hard today, press the leaf onto your page, or tape it in. The act of noticing is the art.
Accessible Adaptations
Low-energy version: Bring a few leaves inside and observe them over days as they curl and change.
Mobility-friendly option: Photograph a leaf from your window or on your sidewalk. Print it small and journal beside the image.
Sensory-friendly alternative: Record voice notes describing the texture, color, or sound of leaves underfoot.
Reflection
The natural world is always whispering lessons in gentleness and perseverance. As John Muir Laws reminds us in How to Teach Nature Journaling, “Every page is a record of relationship—between you, your attention, and the living world.” This fall, may your journal remind you that what’s falling isn’t failure—it’s the earth’s way of making room for what comes next.
15-Minute Prompt:
Sketch, trace, or photograph one fallen leaf. Write:
“What is this leaf teaching me about letting go?”
