How to reset your life in Autumn
I am writing this on a typical wet and windy morning in October. The first few yellow leaves on the trees that are still largely green from the summer are beginning to fall and fly past my window, already I can feel my inner child coming to the surface. In my mind, I fast forward to a walk in the park and in my imagination, I am watching my beagle Isla bury her nose deep into piles of brightly coloured oak and sycamore leaves, whilst I follow her kicking my boots through the same leaves, and I can’t wait! Like Christmas, Autumn takes us immediately back to carefree days when the changing of the seasons brought new wonder. Sandals in the sand swapped for wellington boots in puddles. Everything about nature for a child is a constant delight. Children are not fazed by weather instead it is an opportunity for creativity and adventure. I know from personal experience that not every adult or child’s home life is peaceful, but nature can be your sanctuary. There are so many wonderful ways to be inspired by autumn.
Autumn and mental health benefits
Everything about Autumn screams grounding energy. It is a carnival for the senses and a natural way to distract yourself from your worries. From the evocative smells of bonfires and rich colours, to the sound of crunching leaves underfoot or howling wind and rain on the window, Autumn can have huge mental health benefits by taking time away from daily challenges to breathe in the cool air, admire the vibrant colours and watch as the animals busy themselves preparing for winter, gathering as much food as they can for quieter colder months. Allow nature to be your guide and inspire you as it shows you first-hand how to be prepared but always present, intuitively pace itself and make time for rest, healing and transformation.
Autumn Gratitude and raising your vibration
If spring and summer are about forging ahead with plans and winter is the rest period then autumn is very much about winding down, taking stock of your year and giving thanks for what you have. When I was young, I learnt about the tradition of harvest festival. At my primary school. We were encouraged to collect food and make gift baskets for the elderly in the local community. I remember feeling so proud of my harvest basket and sharing what I had with others. Life is very challenging right now and maybe you don’t feel like you have a lot to be thankful for or that you have enough to share. Getting into the practice of finding small positives and things to be grateful for will raise your ability to see opportunities for change and growth everywhere. When we only see negatives, we block our natural ability to draw good things into our lives. Some of us are naturally positive and will find it very easy to be thankful, but I know that it can be very difficult to be thankful when life feels like a constant battle to survive, so start small, tiny gratitude will add up over time.
Ideas for tiny gratitude’s
- If you cannot share or give food, can you invite a neighbour for a cup of tea or buy someone a coffee?
- Can you find gratitude in a meal that you cooked and the people that grew and harvested the food you eat?
- Having good Neighbours and friends
- Living near open spaces?
- Is there something about your health or anyone that has helped you that you can give thanks for?
- Did you learn anything new about yourself this year? Did you have more resilience than you thought? Or a path that you do or do not want to walk down in life. Even discovering what you do not want is positive feedback.
- Do you have family to be thankful for?
- A pet that is always by your side?
- If you think hard enough, you should be able to find something?
Autumn Reset Ritual
This is my own ritual for gratitude and manifesting, that can be done alone or with friends. It takes inspiration from my own spiritual practices and the wiccan traditions of candlelight and objects from nature. What I love about these traditions is the use of what is all around you. Creating a ritual shouldn’t be expensive, it’s all about setting an intention and creating an atmosphere that inspires you!
- Go for a walk and collect leaves that you find beautiful, acorns, pinecones, and conkers. This has the combined benefit of fresh air and taking your mind away from daily life. I still find joy in finding a Conker with that perfect mahogany shine. You will find lots of adults and children doing this, so you are not alone and who cares anyway!
- Leave them to dry out somewhere and allow all the critters to leave before you bring your collection indoors and give them a little wash. Use whatever you have to display them. A bowl you don’t mind using or a tray that you can cover in foil or cling film and make a display of everything you collected. This is a lovely activity to do with children, but I do this by myself to connect to that part of me, and I love it!
- Next place a tealight or any candle in a safe heatproof holder in with your display. Never leave a flame unattended!
- Make yourself something warming to eat and or drink. A lovely sweet potato soup and chunky bread, stew or just a cup of coffee with cinnamon. It really doesn’t matter; it’s just about giving yourself some comfort see recipe links below for ideas
- Now light the candle and try to think of as many things that you are thankful for and write them down. If you are sharing a meal with a friend, tell each other your list or just give thanks for your friendship and enjoy your harvest.
- At the end of the meal take an intentional pause and a few centering breaths. Say to yourself or out loud. “Today I thank the universe for all the good things in my life and all that is to come. From this moment, I am ready to receive love, abundance, and infinite possibilities and to share what I have with others. Thank you” Then blow out the candle.
Activity watch point
Never worry about getting anything wrong or making a perfect display. This activity is about setting aside time for self-care and creating a reset moment for yourself. This activity is primarily about setting an intention. The focus should always be on the feeling this activity gives you rather than the details