From Summer Scatter to Fall Focus: How to Refresh and Reset this Autumn

From Summer Scatter to Fall Focus: How to Refresh and Reset this Autumn

As each September rolls around, we find ourselves in a shift from late nights, spontaneous plans, and carefree days, to new routines, structure, and school/work rhythms. Some of us crave this change, taking comfort in the return of predictability and a coziness that comes with cooler temperatures and the changing landscape around us. Others yearn for just a few more days of warmth, flexibility, and sleeping in, begrudging the inevitable busy season ahead.

Just as the trees transform from vibrant greens and pinks to soft yellows and orange, we too instinctively change when summer fades to fall. Some of us embrace the chance to settle into the hum of routines and ease of being organized, while others find the abruptness uncomfortable and restrictive. As humans we are continually changing but rarely is it easy to do.

The “summer scatter” can take time to recover from. Loose bedtimes, lack of structure, and projects that took a backseat to fun in the sun can leave us feeling, well, scattered. But no matter how you feel about the seasonal shift, it is upon us, and the natural reset offers opportunities to refocus, refresh, and reclaim our desire for growth and progress.

So, consider this your invitation to incorporate, even one of the ideas below to have a smoother shift into fall this year.

1. Re-establish routines: Anchor your routines with one key morning and evening habit that sets you up for success. This can be anything from deep breathing, to packing lunches, or going for a walk. Find what serves you best!
2. Declutter: If you haven’t sorted through your closet, your kids’ toys, or that junk drawer or a hall closet that’s on the verge of overflowing, make decluttering a priority! Set aside a specific amount of time to work on a task without distraction. Even if it’s not finished when the time is up, you’ve made progress. Sometimes starting a project is the hardest part, so once you get going, (hopefully) the motivation will start flowing.
3. Time Block: Whether you’re a morning person, a night owl, or just find yourself in a slump each afternoon, use that information to your advantage. Knowing your body’s natural ebbs and flows can help you plan your day by structuring your hardest tasks, breaks, movement, etc., around the times you know they will work best for you.
4. Take Mindful Breaks: Forget doom scrolling, this fall is all about connection; with yourself, nature, loved ones, and anything that fills your bucket. If you’re taking breaks (and I hope you are) make them meaningful. Listen to your body and mind and tailor your activity of choice to what you need most in that moment.
5. Get Organized: Organization is not a fluke but a series of intentional actions that can allow you to flow more easily through each day. Use apps (e.g. Todoist), paper planners or agendas, habit trackers, and lean on others to hold you accountable. It’s the little efforts we make each day that make the biggest difference in our overall wellbeing.

So while many of us Saskatchewan folk find ourselves questioning why we live here at some point each winter (or summer), I encourage you to consider that living amongst such distinct seasons can be a learning opportunity! Nature, the environment, and the weather patterns that accompany each season can help guide us towards living more mindfully. As the fall and soon winter season arrives, be like the animals and plants and slow down, rest, and store energy. Create cozy habits like journalling, enjoying warm drinks, playing games with loved ones, and try to align with the rhythms of the seasons instead of fighting them. And in time, see what new and wonderful things this autumn can bring into your life!

 

Blog Post by: Megan Adams Lebell, Registered Psychologist with Wildflowers