Let it fall...

The other day my insight meditation timer opened with “‘Don’t explain your philosophy, embody it’ - Epictetus”. As I sit on the eve of an October Saturday, I write out my plans, my manifestations, my proclamation to the universe. Today is it has been one year, 365 days, since we made the move back home to Colorado after spending all of my days in the endless summer of San Diego, a 10 year streak of moderate temps.
I’ve been reminded of Colorado's beauty as I circle back to fall a year later..gold gold every where. The landscape sparkles in the changing light. I’ve always held a special place in my heart for this majestic seasonal playground, but the dark days of winter were what sent me packing on my pilgrimage to the west coast. Last fall blew my mind, I forgot how colorful and magical everything was. But I knew winter would come, in the past i’d use the holiday distractions to scrape by and come February I’d be a dark mixed up mess. 

---

This season i'm trying a new approach, a more proactive strategy to be prepared. I’ve spent some really honest time with myself, being curious about what it is about this time that really sends me spiraling. For me its the darker days and the colder weather that forces me to retreat indoors and leaves me to my own devices, my ADD runs wild and turns to either burn out (too many things to consider resulting in me wanting to do nothing) or boredom which turns on negative self talk about being lazy and unproductive. By the time winter has reached its peak I find myself to be terribly unhappy and unmotivated. 

Last winter, I found solace in a few important things that I’d like to be more intentional about this year. The first is routine. Now a person with a divergent brain type like mine, needs structure to thrive optimally but it really makes sense for anyone. If my overarching goal is to care for and nurture myself, adding some things to my daily routines will act as daily check-ins. Small changes over time lead to sustainable gains. I also added in more reflective practices like journaling and meditation which gave me some time to hear what my inner voice was asking for in the moment. Each part of this routine can act as gentle metaphorical hug to yourself, a reminder that your wellbeing matters. 

The second thing was my environment, spending time inside means being in the same place day after day. If you don’t love your space, it’s hard to be there. At this time last year I had moved into my mother in law’s home and slept on a guest bed in the spare room that didn’t feel like mine. As grateful as I am for this opportunity to recoup and get re-established in Colorado, its hard to settle in when feeling cramped on space. So we looked at what needed to be done to make space in the basement and got to work. I continued to meditate on this goal, envisioning what it would be like to have my own space again. Somewhere to meditate, to read, to sleep on my own bed, and to practice yoga. I made notes in my planner, broke the larger goal into smaller tasks. Handwriting these tasks, made a mental note for me that continued to ring in my head when I found some down time to tackle a smaller task. Checking things off the list is an instant dopamine hit, which the ADD minds need more of to stay motivated. When we finally got to sleep in our own bed, life as I knew it changed for the better - especially my sleep!

Another idea you can implement to prepare your environment before winter is to collect clothes for donation and switch out your summer clothes for winter wear. I tackled this task last weekend-I even got some new baskets and hampers to keep things tidy and looking polished. Making space in the closet, made space in my mind. Get a new candle, reorganize the furniture and just create a fresh space now so that the dooming task of organizing doesn’t nag you during your winter months where it just feels so hard to take on. 

The final big thing that made the difference for me was connecting with my community. Moving away from the amazing network I created in San Diego was such an emotional obstacle to overcome. Connect virtually if necessary - start a book club or just host a virtual happy hour with friends far away. Schedule reminders to reach out to friends and family through phone calls or letters to nurture those relationships. Be inspired by the people around you.

---

Here is a recap and some additional tips for an easeful transition into fall & winter:

1. Establish new routines & rituals - sleep schedule, reflective practices, skin care
2. Refresh and prepare your spaces (bedroom, closet, living room, home office)
3. Connect with Community - phone calls, group chats, virtual meet ups
4. Connect with Nature - when the weather allows, get out in the sunshine and enjoy the changing seasons 
5. Revive old hobbies and interests - reading, cooking, an online course 
6. Nourish your self - warm foods like soups & casseroles, allow yourself to rest  

There’s no right or wrong way to do this, only your way. You don’t have to go out and spend a ton of money, just find simple ways to reset and refresh your space and your mind. Use this time of year to get grounded and quiet and listen to your inner call to action or in-action if it is needed. Take this time to rest and reflect and to marinate in the pre-contemplation stages of your spring goals. 

If you find yourself in a similar situation as mine and are seeking some new strategies, I am offering a unique seasonal support program called Emergence, which offers guidance on how to transition through these seasons with more ease.  It’s going to be a really cool opportunity to explore these practices with community support and accountability. Learn more about it here!