A few Octobers ago I had the opportunity to give a keynote in Boise Idaho. It was beautiful to experience the change in seasons – colorful trees, leaves blanketing the ground and cool crisp weather. Even in LA where we don’t get this stark seasonal change, (we had a couple days of cooler weather ) and our trees are a little more bare.

There is a natural shift from the outward energy of summer to a slower rhythm of fall. Nature begins to shed what is no longer needed in order to conserve her energy.

It makes me wonder what this time of year is asking of me. What might I need to shed? How can I conserve my energy?

As I reflect on these questions myself, I have come up with some questions as actionable guides for how you can extract the essence of this season for your own introspection and personal growth.

Let Go and Release

Just as the trees let go of their leaves, we are invited to release what we no longer need. Ask yourself,

Are there habits, relationships, or mindsets that no longer serve you? What might be weighing you down?

What is heavy, taking too much of your energy and/or getting in your way?

Take some time to contemplate these questions mindfully then make an intention to let go. By shedding what no longer serves you, you create space for something new to evolve.

Embrace Change

Change feels hard. As a child I lamented the end of every school year resisting the change it required. And now I experience that same resistance with my child. But invariably, every new year brought about another opportunity that was aligned with where I was at that moment. An opportunity to lean into a new season of my life. Ask yourself,

How can you use the change in seasons as a template in your life? Can you redefine how you view change from loss and uncertainty to opportunity?

The changing colors of the fall season is a reminder that change is natural and beautiful. We resist change, but embracing this shift can bring about a sense of freedom and growth.

Harvesting

Fall is harvest season, a time to reap the rewards of months of planting, sowing and cultivation. We too can reflect on our efforts over the past year. Ask yourself,

What seeds were planted in my own life this year?

What storms did I weather?

What did I achieve?

By acknowledging our efforts and celebrating our successes, both big and small, we reap a sense of fulfillment which can fuel forward momentum in the year to come. This acknowledgment also helps us experience self compassion for what we have endured while we celebrate what we have accomplished.

Allow yourself to Rest

Fall is a natural time when nature starts to slow down, preparing for the dormancy of winter. We, too, can start shifting toward a slower pace, focusing on rest, replenishment and self-care. It’s a time to be mindful of your energy and to prioritize how you use that energy by engaging in practices that nourish you physically, mentally, and emotionally. Ask yourself,

How can I slow down and create some pause in my life?

What does self care mean to me? More books? More sleep? Less structured time or social commitment?

What do I need right now?

Realize that in our world of buzziness and striving, this replenishment is the important work needed to preserve our resources so that when we show up for our families, our communities and our work, we can do so in a more intentional and meaningful way.

Cultivate Gratitude

The abundance of the harvest season reminds us to appreciate what we have. Practicing gratitude can deepen our sense of contentment and help us recognize the richness of our lives. There is a lot that we are grappling with in the world. A lot that is not going right and it is natural to fixate on what is not going right. But let’s remember that for each of us there are things that ARE going right. Gratitude is a powerful way to stay grounded and positive focusing on what is good in our lives without remaining overly focused on what is not going our way.

Fall, with its beautiful transformations, teaches us to embrace the cycles of change, honor our own growth, and prepare ourselves for the months ahead with introspection and intention. These lessons align well with the goals of nurturing our potential and addressing our deeper needs.

I encourage you all to take this time to slow down, introspect and set intentions that will guide you in the coming year. When we do this deep work for ourselves, the effect ripples to those around us and has the power and possibility to shift the world.

If you feel called to take this work further, I invite you to join me in a personally crafted and curated group called Resilient Minds. These will be small intimate groups where you can interact with me and other participants live. Over 6 weeks I will teach you evidence based skills that will transform how you interact and respond to life’s challenges and demands.

You’ll learn the tools and skills that will teach you how to pause before reacting, assess what’s truly needed in your life and respond with intention, not impulsivity. Having led these groups, I can tell you with certainty, that it is a life changing experience, learn more here.

Wishing you good health, mind, body and soul.