Summary of the Key Points
This article uses the solar term “Liqiu” (Beginning of Autumn) as an entry point to explore how subtle changes in nature influence people's emotions. It draws on ancient perceptions of autumn and modern feelings of anxiety to discuss how seasons affect our moods, and suggests that by slowing down, we can find inner balance. Although it’s not a traditional financial news article, it reveals the economics behind “emotional value” and “life pace”—reminding us that sometimes allowing things to happen naturally is more important than rushing to solve everything.
1. Liqiu Is Not a “Cooling Button,” but a “Sensor for Details”
You might think that Liqiu means “autumn has arrived, and it’s going to get cold soon.” However, this isn’t the case. Meteorologically, autumn is defined by five consecutive days with average temperatures below 22°C, which doesn’t happen in Beijing until September. The beauty of Liqiu lies in the subtle signs your body and senses send:
- The sun’s rays are less intense, shining obliquely through the gaps in buildings, creating a softer light;
- Shadows become longer, and it gets darker earlier in the evening;
- The air contains less moisture, making distant mountains and buildings more visible, and the sky turns bluer—these are the signs of autumn’s arrival.
These changes are not about a drop in temperature, but rather your body’s recognition of the season’s transition, similar to when you feel something is different without any obvious notification.
2. How the Ancients Saw Liqiu: A Time for “Reorganizing Emotions”
Thousands of years ago, Chinese people understood that autumn was not just about desolation but also about openness:
- Song Yu wrote, “Alas, the nature of autumn…,” but then added, “The sky is high and the air is clear.” The withering of plants brings sadness, yet the vastness of the sky provides relief;
- During the Southern Song Dynasty, phoenix trees were moved in front of palaces on Liqiu day. Although it was a man-made ritual, it symbolized the need to pause and reflect on oneself;
- Ouyang Xiu wrote “Ode to the Sounds of Autumn,” questioning who really causes one’s distress and suggesting that it’s not the autumn wind but unresolved issues;
- In his later years, after being dismissed from office, Xin Qiji simply said, “How pleasant this cool autumn is.” He used the weather as a way to express his emotions.
The ancients used the openness of autumn to create space in their minds, not to solve problems, but to make them feel less overwhelming.
3. The Modern Dilemma of Being Preoccupied
Harvard psychologists have found that nearly half of our waking time is spent with thoughts on things other than the present. We think about work while eating, yesterday’s arguments while working, and tomorrow’s tasks while using our phones. Worse still, being distracted reduces our sense of happiness.
It’s like having ten background processes running on your computer—invisible but constantly consuming resources. Modern fatigue often stems from a mind that’s not in the present: unresolved issues and unread messages weigh us down, preventing us from focusing.
4. The “Magic” of a Chestnut: A Small Act of Slowing Down
Why are candied chestnuts the symbol of autumn? Not because they taste good, but because they help you return to the present:
- Chestnuts are not yet ripe; we have to wait until September for them to be available. The act of waiting itself marks the beginning of slowing down;
- Preparing chestnuts requires patience—watching the gravel in the pot, smelling the sugar, and handling the hot nuts carefully;
- Peeling them demands concentration, which distracts you from work and worries for a moment.
A single chestnut may not solve problems, but it helps create a distance between you and them, similar to clearing background processes on your phone and taking a short break.
5. The Lesson from Liqiu: Allow Yourself to Take Your Time
Seasons never rush us; leaves fall when they are ready, and chestnuts ripen when they are ready. So should we:
- There’s no need to rush to become a “superhero” who solves everything;
- Don’t burden yourself with all your worries;
- Occasionally, take a break, eat a chestnut, and enjoy the autumn sky—let your emotions be reorganized.
As Xin Qiji said, “How pleasant this cool autumn is.” It’s not about avoidance but about giving yourself time for inner clarity.
In conclusion, Liqiu changes not the weather but our approach to life. Slowing down has its benefits. 🍂