Thriving not just surviving: finding joy this autumn
5 nourishing things I’ll start, stop and continue doing as the seasons turn
We have a funny German phrase whose literal translation is “to fall into the house with the door.” It means: getting to the point without an intro.
To make this more pleasant, picture a friend coming over with a surprise, a nice Sunday afternoon cake (your favourite one)...
So, here we go. 🏡🚪 I hope you don’t mind my fast entrance (cake in hand).
I was wondering how you might describe your hopes, dreams, or actual autumn experience in one word.
Would you mind sharing that here and joining some readers who have already submitted their entries following my note in the Substack App.
WHY create this autumnal word cloud you may ask?
Connection plays a key piece in human happiness.
Over the darker months, many of us can feel a bit lonely or disconnected. Isn’t it so meaningful when you can see how you contribute to something bigger than yourself? This word cloud would be empty without you!Who doesn’t want to increase their joy?
Pure child-like, playful happiness triggered by dancing leaves in the air or fresh apples from the tree. The word cloud will present us with (hopefully) many reminders about what to be grateful for and joyful about, on the high and low days this season.We all know by now that being more present is crucial for our overall wellbeing.
Being in tune with the seasons is, especially over autumn and winter, is a proven way to be in the here and now and elevate our wellbeing.
The shift from long to shorter days may not always be easy and the initial excitement for pumpkin patches, apple tarts and spiced lattes can soon turn into desperate hopes for the warm, sunny and bright days to return.
And maybe, autumn is your favourite season but your bestie doesn’t love it so much… So this is for them… 🫶 A loving reminder that shifting how we view the darker months will help us thrive.
Now that I shared the WHY, I hope you’re ready to join the autumn party and contribute to the word cloud. That way, we’ll all be prepared, word cloud in hand to explore, enjoy and connect 🍂
My intentional word for autumn is homecoming.
coming home to myself again after being out and about a lot.
making our city home truly feel like home after giving up our small second home.
Candle burning next to me, heating rattling in the background and tea in my lap, I’m typing these lines to you. It’s been a full month from swimming in the river, ice cream for lunch and sleeping with windows wide open to cozy snuggles on the sofa. Enough time to adjust you might say, I still sometimes feel a weather hangover of sorts.
Since autumn is THE season for harvesting, obviously, let’s also reflect on what small things we want to start doing to keep our inner flame alive, what we want to continue doing and bring with us into the darker months with us, and what layers we may want to shed and release.
My personally for you created journaling and reflection questions are below to explore what things you might want to start, continue and stop doing. It’s so individual after all. Here’s my list.
What to start again with the darker season
🕯️ burning a candle while cooking and eating again in the dark evenings. Little things that nourish my tired self these days.
Cooking stews, compote and bringing my sourdough Rudi, who’s been rather dormant in the fridge all spring and summer, back to live. Cooking and baking is my meditation so I don’t mind some extra hours in the kitchen (anyways the warmest room in our flat).
Earlier nights as I get tied earlier. As soon as it gets dark outside, my body feels ready for sleep (but I obviously can’t just close my eyes at 5 pm). And yet, my weakness is my bedtime routine. When I’m tired I always want to conquer the world and start 10 new things at once.
Screen time reduction. Darker evenings means either no screens after sunset (once I finished work) or wearing blue light blockers (Google them, I swear by them and my eyes feel less constrained after many hours behind my MacBook & phone).
Getting out the beeswax candles from last year and using them. Finally! Here’s the thing. I love them, but I often tell myself I need to wait for a better opportunity, a special occasion. So they sit and gather dust. No more of that! Life is worth living. Get the fancy candles out, people, and enjoy them!
thanks for the reminder 🥰
What nourishing things to continue doing in autumn
Balcony breakfast even with a blanket- for as long as I can. I love the crisp air in the mornings and for circadian rhythm balance it’s important to get daylight in your eyes as soon as you can after waking. It will reduce afternoon slumps, promise!
Laying clothes out for my office days, packing my bag and thinking about breakfast the night before. Makes my mornings a lot less rushed and my Oura ring actually shows me reduced stress levels. So there’s actual data. 😅 p.s. I’ve you’ve been on the fence of getting the Oura ring, let me know I currently have a 10% discount for you (i don’t get any benefits from hyping them).
Craft projects. Use your hands in more ways than for holding your phone or typing on the keyboard. I have been giving our home some almost free upgrades, I’ll share them soon. Hint: thrifting is my new hobby I think…
Singing when my chest feels tight and heart a little anxious.
Do stuff that excites you, like really excites you! I’ve been working on something female leadership related things that I’m launching soon. It’s been 5 years of dreaming and a decade of women’s work. Any guesses?
What I won’t do in autumn
Working when unwell and skipping gym or walks for tasks. There’s always more we could do, but moving our body is so important for our mental health (yes body loves it too of course).
People pleasing. Reminding myself that it’s not my job to make the whole universe happy, it’s my job to be true to myself and drive change from there.
Putting pressure on myself to stick to a public writing cadence when I just can’t commit to it right now. Sorry if you love consistency. Here’s my take on it - peace of mind over popularity.
Hope I’ll be back more regularly soon! Potentially with a second publication as I wish to include my “professional side” too. Hint, ready for a interview series?
Pushing through when all in need is a break. Can you relate? Rest is the foundation to everything, and as you know, this publication is partially devoted to sharing the journey of relearning the art of rest post burnout.
Ignoring my boundaries. I’m trying to get better at not doing “quick” work stuff after my daily shut down “ritual”! (If you’d like me to share more about this, let me know). Preparing client work in the evening just to hear the next morning that the coaching session will need to be moved. Nope. Not worth it.
Now, it’s your turn. What will you start, stop and continue this season?
I hope to see you in the comments - let’s imagine it’s the Sunday afternoon tea party with friends (the one from the first paragraph) that came prepared and fully by surprise. Will you join us there for a cozy chat!
image by @twiggstudios
From me created for you, some journalling questions as we move deeper into autumn.
Imagine journaling together, sitting around the cozy fire in a cottage living room while the rain is tapping against the windows.
harvesting - like with apple picking, there’s more to do with these juicy babies than juicing. Cooking, baking, drying, frying. The options are endless. Similarly, what do you want to start doing? Reflecting on what we can build on rather than growing something from scratch, from bare ground is what I’d advise energy wise at this time of the year.
what has been a focus of yours that you’d like to continue spending time energy and resources on? How’s your capacity and what may need to be adjusted?
letting go to rest over the winter. How do we feel about things coming to an end? (For example the one thing you want to stop doing).
This has got me feeling excited about autumn 🍂 and my hopes of finding a new rhythm and shifting into a new space…emotionally, mentally and physically. And thanks for the shout out! Almost halfway through 💫
It's great to slow down, pause and reflect on what works for you and what not. It's like a declaration of self-love. Enjoy the moments, Carmen! ✨️🍂