In the seemingly endless conversations I have had recently with various people in my life about transitions, personal struggles, and general feelings of woe, two statements stuck out to me. One was "ready or not, here it is," said in reference to school starting up again after what felt like the smallest, fastest summer in history. Most of us associate "ready or not, here I come" with the beloved childhood game of hide and seek, where either you were definitely ready and felt like you had been waiting forever to be found, or you were definitely not ready because you had not found the right spot to hide just yet. Either way, someone (or something) was on its way. It appears we find ourselves in the same situation now. As we catapult into September, a little warmer than we are comfortable being (if you attribute this to perimenopausal hormones, talk to Tracy and Holly, they can help!) and tired of an abundance of flies, our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual bodies have felt and feel the transition(s) coming. Ready or not, here it is.
The other phrase that a dear friend shared with me is, "let go or be dragged." Maybe it feels harsh or extreme, but sit with it for just a moment and you may find it a luxurious prescription for any transitional phase, seasonal or situational, that you find yourself in.
As fall approaches, we become aware that cooler temperatures are on the horizon; night and day approach equality and balance at the autumnal equinox; we celebrate harvest and abundance from what we have nurtured in spring and summer; and the trees show us the beauty of releasing that which no longer serves us.
As humans, we have arrived in this place countless times, and our ancestors were faced with the same joys, dilemmas, droughts and abundance, grief, and insecurities in their own ways. Though this is not an altogether new experience for us, things this go-around may feel a bit heavier or harder for you and/or the people you hold dear. You are not alone.
Personally, I can't help but feel that something is just out of reach or on the edge of shifting, and that we are all meant to have a more harmonious experience on this dear planet of ours than we currently have. So, here we are, ready or not, and we can either let go or be dragged.
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As our energy shifts from socializing and a focus on activity to a more internalized reflection and preparation, we are gifted the opportunity to evaluate the things in our lives that do not serve us, that disrupt our peace, or that repeat patterns that keep us stuck. How do our relationships (with people, food, work, substances, shame, shopping, or technology, to name a few) impact achieving balance or harmony in our lives? What are we consuming physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, and how does it sit with us?
This process requires some time and gentleness with ourselves, and though it can be difficult, it is critical to our freedom. As we watch the leaves that once adorned our favorite tree gently fall to the ground, we know that this process has to happen so that the tree and its roots can rest and recover for new growth and a new season. Nature so beautifully reassures us that the process of letting go is the very thing that allows us to grow and become more of ourselves in our most pure and beautiful forms. What can you let go of gently? What can you release with love and light?
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To give some love to our physical body that has carried us along in this journey, it can be helpful to slow down and engage in nurturing care. Rest is on the menu, and taking the time to ease your pace of life in a way that aligns with the natural rhythm of the season is a great way to nourish your body (and everything else). Embrace the practice of grounding by soaking up both the warm and cooler temperatures of the season: walking barefoot outside, lying in the grass, or enjoying time with your body/feet in water (the river or reservoir close by is a great example). Whether you can't wait for everything Pumpkin Spice or not, it's a great time for warm foods and warm teas, which happen to go great with rest, even just a few minutes.
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It is so easy for our mental body to work overtime, which can contribute to decision fatigue, worry, anxiety, increased stress, and all that goes along with it. Recognize repetitive messages and internal dialogue that is unhelpful or unkind. When you reflect on when and where these messages originated, you create space for compassion and release. Relieve mental pressure by enlisting your heart and your gut in decision making (they can be more reliable counsel). Decrease mental noise by decluttering your physical and mental spaces. This can happen in small, achievable areas, and then you can sit back and enjoy (preferably with a warm cup of tea). This can literally help create space for you to rest that hardworking mind of yours.
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Our emotional bodies have been under siege recently. This can lead to an inclination to numb out, feelings of emotional overwhelm, or a resting irritation/agitation with or without an obvious cause. Our dear emotional bodies are tired from both receiving and giving too much. We need to create space to rest and reset, as well as protect ourselves from obligatory relationships or activities that drain us and create disharmony. This is an excellent time to cancel plans, say no (I know this is hard!), and generally protect yourself from energies that don't feel right. This is so important and easier said than done. It can be helpful to start small, perhaps by asking yourself each morning, "What does my emotional body need today?" and then listening without judging the answer you get. This doesn't have to be groundbreaking; in fact, it's often something quite small. Practice listening to yourself (your heart and your gut, preferably) and giving gratitude for your wisdom and for all that you continue to learn about yourself.
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Reflection, meditation, gratitude, spending time in nature, journaling, and being open to receiving messages in your own unique way are excellent ways to connect with your spiritual body. This season is ripe with opportunities to focus inward, slow down, or generally take it easy, and when we can do that, we allow our spiritual body to become more open to receiving and participating in guiding us. Your spiritual body will show you love for yourself in a way that you may have yet to experience, and it deserves your attention.
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