As the summer heat makes its last stand the next few weeks it’s hard not to notice the changing light and darker mornings of the coming fall. Nature teaches us that change is essential for growth and what better time to recognize this than when we enter the season of letting go. Here are 5 ways to honor ourselves through this process!
1. Introspection
Taking account of what has worked so far this year and acknowledging what has not is the first step in making changes. When we are able to self-assess and correct unwanted behaviors we feel better about our lives. Thinking critically and applying it constructively shows us how much we can improve ourselves and affect our own lives. The key to living in harmony is learning and practicing this knowledge.
2. Balance
We played and restored ourselves this summer. We planted new seeds and saw them blossom last spring. Now, we enter the period where work and play mingle in a productive and joyous fashion. Making balance the priority throughout our day will allow us to have the energy to work effectively, but also the motivation to do so. This dance between working and replenishing is the nature of fall.
3. Letting go
The embodiment of the fall season correlates with that of the lung and large intestine, which help your body keep what is valuable and let go of what you don’t need anymore. This is a great time to reevaluate relationships and habits that no longer work or serve us. Letting go of what we no longer need creates space for what is new. Fall is nature’s opportunity to create the ultimate balance in life as we replace toxicity with health.
4. Give Thanks
During this season you may want to honor all that you have in your life and shift your consciousness from one of lack to one of prosperity and gratitude. One way to do this is by letting friends and family know how much gratitude you have for them. You may want to create some ritual or act that honors all that you are and all that you have. Giving things away is not just material but also energetic. Giving thanks is giving away joy and positivity.
5. Make Room
Fall is the time of year when we set up our internal space and make room for what is to come. We create room for our greater visions by allowing silence and meditation to become part of our daily practice. When we clear out our internal space, we create room for new ideas, thoughts, visions, and creativity. As we become quiet and listen, something new can emerge from within us.
By focusing on balance and letting go, we can make space for all that is to come. Try taking a walk, giving thanks, or cleaning out your closet, metaphorically or not. Making space is opening a door for all that is new.