Three ways to shift into fall mode!
As I write this, I'm looking out from my Victoria office and admiring the beautiful crisp, orange leaves on the trees. And, on this beautiful sunny day it's hard to believe that soon the days will be shorter, those beautiful leaves will be piles on the ground and there will likely be more rain (so long sun... I'll miss you!). As we shift into fall, here are three ways to shift into fall mode that could help with this transition to autumn.
1) The first tip is to think back to previous fall seasons and reflect on anything that helped or brought you joy. Was there a fall where you started a new craft project or book club, did you join a running club or realize you actually prefer walking the dog when it's dark and no one is around? A good bet is often to consider what has worked for us in the past, and then see if that's an option going forward. I know I'll be upping my vitamin D and scheduling a few more brunch dates with close friends.
2) Explore living 'seasonally.' And by this I don't mean anything fancy, but simply considering what fruits or vegetables are more likely to be growing at this time and including those in my weekly menu (ex. Butternut squash soup is always a yes!). Or, looking at activities in my community that only happen during the darker days, such as Langford's 'Light up the Hills' or Victoria's 'Victoria at Dusk' art event. I may also have a few more magazine and books around to curl up on the couch with a pet and read in the evening when it's dark at 7pm!
3) Consider what I may need... And this is certainly open ended but for me that could mean booking a sauna time with a friend, hot yoga, asking my Dr. about vitamin D pills, signing up for exercise classes and going through my fall/winter clothes to make sure they still fit. I may also need to check in with myself about my expectations or thoughts about the season changing. In therapy we are often exploring our thoughts and helping to consider if a gentler or truer thought is possible. For instance, I may say to myself, "I hate the dark days," which is (mostly) true, but I could try, "It's not my favourite, for sure, but I can find some enjoyable activities and trust spring will come again." How I think about this season will impact how I feel, so a kinder and validating approach with myself will be very welcome.
I hope these three points help you explore what you need to shift well into autumn, and that many pumpkin spiced treats are in your future (as they are in mine!).
With warmth,
Danielle
