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Autumn is almost upon us. It’s a time of harvesting crops, giving thanks for what the summer has created and preparing to stock up for winter.
Thus, it’s a time of reflection and gratitude. As nature turns in, so do we. We appreciate the things we have learned and the gifts we have received; simultaneously we instinctively know that solace can be found in quiet contemplation.
We are invited to take some time to pause, and reflect on what we have achieved during year, what we are grateful for, and to release anything that no longer serves us, just as the trees shed the leaves they no longer need each autumnal season.
There is a lot to be grateful for this season, and a little bit of self-care at this time will go a long way to help us enjoy our blessings and celebrate abundance. Try one or two of the tips below to enjoy the season with increased awareness, compassion and inspiration.
Take a piece of paper. Write AUTUMN at the top of the paper. Close your eyes. Take a few breathes. Open your eyes and write down everything that immediately comes to mind about AUTUMN.
Practise ‘tree pose’ (vrksasana) a yoga pose that helps you to connect to your roots and release anything you no longer need. Feel your breath expand both your lungs and ability to grow.
Give thanks. Before bed, write a list of 5 things that have happened during day for which you are thankful (small or large) and feel true gratitude for these experiences. Repeat each day.
Touch a tree and share its energy. Place your hand on the trunk. Close your eyes and take a deep breath. Notice any thoughts or images that arise, then let them go. Stretch your arms around the tree to encompass as much of the tree as you can. Imagine you are exchanging energy with the tree, and notice if there are any messages for you, from the tree. Release whenever you are ready.
What colour from the autumn palette appeals to you the most. Think golds, yellows, browns, oranges, reds and coppers. Find an object in the colour and allow your gaze to softly focus on the item, for around 60 seconds. Then close your eyes. Imagine wrapping yourself up in this colour. What does it feel like, how does it smell, what does it sound like, does it have a taste? After several minutes, allow the colour to fade away and observe how you feel?
Enjoy a walk in nature. Challenge yourself to notice three new things on your walk. Notice how you feel and observe what makes you smile and brings you joy during your walk.
Spend some time reflecting and journaling on one or more of the following questions – What is my own personal harvest this year? How do I cultivate gratitude for all the blessings in my life? How will I share my abundance with others? What seeds do I wish to incubate ready to grow and blossom next spring? What do I wish to let go of?
Repeat one of the following affirmations in your mind’s eye – “I appreciate where I am right now. I celebrate my achievements and learn from every experience. My harvest is my wisdom”.
Contemplate this quote by George Eliot “Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns”. How does this resonate with you?
If you wish to continue seasonal contemplation, please join me for a seasonal yoga event, seasonal inspired forest bathing session, or sign up to my Harvest Gratitude 7-Day FREE Online Autumn Challenge.
I can also highly recommend ‘The Self-Care Year’ by Alison Davies and ‘The Happiness Year’ by Tara Ward.
Happy Autumn-time …
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