This morning I woke up with a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that nothing will ever be the same. I go through this every year when I feel the temperature drop and the leaves start to fall. It brings out a feeling of melancholy that I just can’t seem to shake. In years past, I’ve tried to suppress it, hide it, and pretend that a frothy pumpkin spice latte will make it go away. But it doesn’t.
Over the years, I’ve learned that I need to feel it, lean into it, and allow myself to work through all the feelings that this time of year evokes. When we allow ourselves to slow down and make room for change, we may actually be surprised to find that there is unexpected beauty and even bliss in these moments.
I have a hunch that I may not be the only one that has a bittersweet relationship with pumpkin spice everything, so I’d like to share some of the tools that have helped me move through this season with more clarity and intention.
- Find a spot in nature where you can be surrounded by the fall colours
- Sit comfortably and quietly without being interrupted
- Close your eyes and breathe deeply
- With each breath, imagine the colours around you and take note of what they illuminate inside of you
- Then, ask yourself one question: “What do I need to make more space for in my life?”
This is a time of year for deep reflection. The season reminds us that we don’t change overnight; we evolve from one beautiful moment to the next. Change can feel abrupt, but if we take the time to mindfully slow down, even for a moment, we become more intentional about what is deserving of our time.
If this sounds a little woo-woo for you, try all the same steps with your eyes wide open and a pumpkin latte in your hand. We each have our own special recipe to finding true bliss. What’s yours?
With intentional gratitude,
