As we shift deeper into the fall season, there are a few ways to harmonize ourselves with what is shifting in the natural world. 

As mentioned in the previous post, the Fall season is a big dynamic shift, and this change can be quite a shock. When change happens, we are confronted with ourselves anew. This confrontation happens with our bodies, our inner emotional world, and even our ways of thinking / seeing the world. 

Change always means a change in habits. For instance, it is unlikely that in Chicago I will go outside w/ a tank top, shorts and sandals at the beginning of November. I must re-align my habits concerning how I interact with the outer world in the most basic ways. Many of the changes are more subtle, but they still occur physically, emotionally and mentally.

Some of our habits for managing our physical, mental, or emotional  well being may not be ideal for the changing season, some of our habits and routines may no longer be ideal for the changing season. 

So what are some good habits to align with the fall?  

Again, we can think of some of the themes of the Fall: 

• Letting go / releasing 

  • relaxation, reducing anxiety, stretch out tensions, let go of emotional or mental baggage

• Gathering / Nourishing 

  • building energy - breathing practices, good eating, meditation, bringing friends together, self-care, routine / ritual that bring positive self connections

• Harvesting 

  • enjoy the rewards of some of your accomplishments, and ways you have grown

• Slowing down / Conserving 

  • home cooked meals, slower gentle movement, reflection, looking ahead and making plans for the future

• Tranquility / Gratitude 

  • stabilizing emotions during turbulent times

As you go over the list above, maybe something stands out. Maybe there is an idea or energy above that you would like to reconnect with, or something that you feel pulled towards. Not everything needs to happen at once, change can be just one small piece at a time, and it is much easier to start something or renew something where you feel a natural desire or attraction. 

Even if it is a small change, something we feel strongly motivated towards and excited about, it is still difficult to put a new habit into place.  Reflect / Resolve / Respond / Repeat are good concepts to use that can help to stabilize and steady efforts when making a change.

Reflect:

Give yourself some time and space, look at your life and habits. Is there some aspect of the space you hold physically, mentally, emotionally where you feel compelled or desire towards change?  Usually, something will stand out if we give ourselves some time to reflect.  

Then, there is the hinge of seeing that change in our lives. So as you reflect, you must strategize. How can you incorporate a new habit into your life? How do you see yourself maintaining this new habit? What happens if you lose track of it? This is where it is important to be realistic, try to make a change that is realistic to practice and follow through.

Resolve:

When you see yourself making a change, it is best to decide firmly to move in that direction.  Also, try to see your efforts in a positive way, feel excited about what you are doing. In general, it is much easier to do something or practice something that we have enthusiasm for, and this way we can remove some of the resistance that naturally occurs when trying to change. Write a list of the habits you would like to change. Do you have new habits you want to add to your routine? Pick a few that resonate with you.

Respond:

After reflecting and creating space for a new habit, all that is left is to respond. Meaning, put it into practice! Again being realistic and patient here is helpful. Setting aside a small amount of time either each day or week is enough. After the first few times you practice, reassess. How do you feel after the first week of your new routine? Does the timing work for you? If something needs to change, what does that look like? 

Repeat:

The natural resistance that occurs when we try to initiate a new habit or way of being is very real. It is quite helpful to just repeat the steps. Remember why you wanted to initiate a new habit, remember and feel the excitement towards that thing, also recall the benefits you felt from doing it. After some time, you may find this process is no longer necessary because your new habit feels like second nature.