Transitioning into Fall, and We're Taking Summer Vibes With Us!
Transitioning into fall has always been hard for me.
From summer vacation back to school, or back to work.
Daylight savings ending.
Earlier sunsets.
Colder days, even colder nights.
More layers.
Witnessing the bright colors transition into earth-tone hues.
Water activities and fun in the sun, exchanged for lots and lots of time spent at home.
I’ve spent a lot of time these last four months making time and space for myself whenever I could, balancing my work life with my personal life. This meant spending more time outdoors – midday walks, working outside, sitting by the pool, taking bike rides, finding new parks, etc. I’m grateful that being in nature has truly been one way for me to practice regulating my nervous system. This balance has helped me begin creating a life that doesn't make me too exhausted for the things that bring me joy.
I’ve focused on romanticizing every part of my life these last four months. Upward spiral, is what I’ve called it. I can’t help but owe a lot of it to Spring/Summer.
These final days leading up to the official first day of fall has been a rollercoaster. Seeing tons of 'End of Summer’ Instagram posts, ‘Summers Over Interlude’ by Drake as the song of choice.
Starbucks fall flavors advertisements. The Halloween section on display immediately when you walk into Target. ‘End of summer’ sales and Autumn “Outfit of the Day” inspirations.
“Whoa!”
Thoughts about seasonal depression started creeping up. What if my Upward Spiral is over?
It almost felt like dark gray clouds started to surround me at that moment. They started to consume me. I could feel my stomach squirm, a feeling all too familiar - anxiousness.
I didn’t know why I was feeling like this as it was happening. I looked around at my life, my new job, my home, and decided I was making up things for myself to be anxious about – which has happened before. So, I told myself – “It’s okay, there’s nothing to be anxious about right now. We are safe.”
I ignored the feeling for a couple days until my next therapy session.
My therapist finally helped me pinpoint what was going on. I was grieving Summer.
Change has always been particularly hard for me, and when I feel like I’m losing something, even something that may seem really small, can really cause a shipwreck in my nervous system.
Gentle reminder: We can grieve anything – a flat iron that broke, our previous home, familiarity – anything. Trust that your body is responding to something. Be gentle with yourself.
Here’s the thing – change is going to happen. Whether we like it or not. So what are you going to do about it?
Am I going to choose to be miserable until Spring/Summer 2024? Am I going to let seasonal depression take me out again this year? Or am I going to try to find ways to continue my upward spiral through the seasons changing?
Here’s what I realized:
The sunny weather? The sun still comes out in the fall and the winter. I can still go outside! I can still take walks. I can still be in nature.
The bright colors? I can recreate the brightness inside – with flowers, decorations, a sunset lamp.
The freedom summer brings? I still have access to the work/life balance I’ve created.
I can do this.
Seasonal depression is very very real. You have the choice to either take control of your body during this transition, or let it take control over you.
Here’s how we prepare for this transition:
Curate your week. Make it fun, joyful, adventurous, and colorful. This may look like adding in your favorite meal for dinner on Monday. Going to visit one of your favorite people on Tuesday. Taking a midday walk during your lunch break at your favorite park on Wednesday. Booking a class for a new workout that excites you on Thursday. Instead of coffee from your keurig, go to your favorite coffee shop on Friday! Curate it for you! The goal is to make it so good, you are more excited for Sunday-Thursday then you are for Friday and Saturday.
Vitamin supplements! First, check with your doctor. Magnesium: may help calm your mind and nervous system, and may help regulate your sleep-wake cycle.Vitamin D: may help improvements in daily mood and fatigue
Probiotics, fruits and veggies. Feed your body as if you are feeding a loved one that you need to take care of.
OPEN YOUR CURTAINS! Get as much sunlight as you can. If it’s one of those dark, autumn days – look into a sunlight lamp.
Start your day with you. Maybe journal or meditate. Try to do at least 3 things from your morning routine before checking that phone!
When anxiety starts to creep up. Greet it. “Hey, I understand why you’re here,” Stop what you’re doing and take care of yourself. Stand up, take a deep breath. Put your hand over your heart, as my therapist would say, and breathe. Close your eyes. Remind yourself that you are safe, you are okay. Go take a walk to look at yourself in the mirror. Keep breathing while looking at yourself in the eyes. That thing that just caused a disruption in your nervous system can either be two things: something you can control, or something you can’t. If you can control it – take some more deep breaths and go control it. If you can’t control it – remind yourself there's nothing that can be done and you’ve done your best.
Some affirmations for the transition:
Change is good. I am so grateful that the sun sets and rises, giving the moon its turn. I am so grateful that the seasons change every three months. I am so grateful that Earth takes what she needs. I am so grateful for this reminder to slow down.
I am so grateful for deep breaths. I can find joy in this change. I’m excited to find joy in this change.
I am able to center myself with deep breaths. I am so grateful for this power.
Today, I choose love. I choose to love myself and prioritize myself by doing something that makes me feel special. I am special. I deserve this.
Love lives here. Joy lives here. Peace lives here.
This is easy. I can do this.
Here's to kicking seasonal depression’s ass!
Sending you all my love
Xo, Ry