Softening During the Fall Season & Life Changes
Below is an excerpt from my newest podcast Episode 72: Navigating Life’s Transitions with Delight & Grace.
Whether you find yourself in the northern hemisphere, where we're transitioning from the warm, action season of summer to the slower paced autumn Fall Equinox, or in the southern hemisphere, where you're also experiencing the opposite change, we are all effected by the ever-changing seasons.
Change happens every day, sometimes even every moment. You especially know this is true as a parent. Just when you think you've got your kids all figured out, they surprise and challenge you, reminding you that change is the one constant we can always count on.
This weekend as we are going through the Fall Equinox, I'm feeling inspired to explore the wisdom that Mother Nature shares with us through her rhythmic seasons, and how those changes relate to our own daily lives.
When we become too comfortable, too complacent in life, that's when change can feel like a storm sweeping through our world. The transition periods can be rough, messy, and chaotic, particularly for those of us who like being in control and crave order in our lives. When the familiar rhythms, routines, and predictabilities we've come to rely on change, it can leave us feeling irritated, sad and longing for the past.
Even during a minor transition, like saying goodbye to summer and welcoming autumn, it can leave us with mixed emotions. Some of us might embrace the change with joy and delight, especially if we find balance in our lives and appreciate the shifts in seasons. But even then, moments of frustration or grief can come up as we're being called to reflect on the past, learn from it and then release it.
Reflecting on this past summer, I've felt massive shifts in my own life. Transformation and my creativity have been on fire, and I have cherished this time, but there has also been a whisper of sadness at the thought of knowing winter will be coming soon.
I know how profoundly seasonal I am and winter has a way of making me feel like huddling up at home with my favorite soup and a deep desire for snow and staying cuddled up at home. But, here's the beauty of it – we have this transitional period, this golden season of autumn to help us prepare for the next set of shifts that lie ahead.
I want to encourage you, just as I'm striving to do myself, to honor and even grieve the past. It might be as simple as mourning the end of summer. Or maybe you have also been experiencing profound spiritual awakenings or significant life changes. Maybe you've noticed how quickly your children are growing, how they've sprouted a few inches taller and moved up another grade. These life moments are opportunities - invitations to savor - to be fully present, to breathe in life deeply, to soften and embrace change, and to practice letting go.
I believe there's a necessary grieving period during times of transition. My hope is that you'll allow yourself to slow down during this equinox and the autumn season. Take time to observe, to shine a light on those areas of your life that have drifted out of balance. Reflect on what you cherish about the past and what you're prepared to release, what you're willing to let go of to make space for new beginnings.
This season of change is both an ending and a new beginning. Every ending births a new beginning of its own, but we can't fully embrace that new beginning without releasing the past and honoring the wisdom it has given us. We must make space for the new to take root.
So, as we walk forward, consider approaching it with tenderness, an open heart, and an eagerness to release and grieve, while acknowledging that there are certain things you can no longer sustain. Whether it's overextending yourself, overcommitting, overspending, or over-worrying – this season calls us to recalibrate, to rebalance what's fallen out of harmony, to live more in tune. This process extends to our relationships, our daily routines, our family life, and our creative endeavors.
Take a moment to assess your life's balance:
What is draining your energy? How can you honor, protect and redirect your energy, allowing greater ease to flow into your life? Nature offers us valuable lessons during these seasonal shifts, such as reflection and acceptance.
This shift in season reminds us to slow down, to return to a sustainable, adaptable pace – one we can breathe in. Take a few deep breaths in this moment. Allow your breath to flow through your body, relaxing your nervous system and softening your shoulders. I adore the word "soften" because it reminds me that amidst the chaos and transitions of life, we can maintain a sense of lightness and playfulness.
There's no denying that our world is full of serious matters, demanding our attention, dedication, and mindful action to create positive change. I know you feel that call, and I'm certain you're doing your part to contribute, to serve, to share the love residing in your heart with others. Yet, during times of transition, when we're undergoing transformation or awakening, we are being called to look inward, to explore our own hearts.
Where have we closed ourselves off? Where do we sense constriction in our bodies? Have we given so much that we have nothing left to give to ourselves? It's crucial to ask these questions and seek a rebalancing in our lives.
Remember, we are nature, and our true nature is not one of constriction. We are designed to adapt, to flow, to be flexible, and to embrace change gracefully. Our true nature is to let go, creating space for new beginnings. Our true nature is to feel deeply, embodying the elements of nature, grounding when needed, flowing like water when we feel tight and serious, and reigniting our inner fire to shine brightly and confidently.
Remember the power of your breath – this season often brings a breeze of change, just as our breath opens and expands our heart center, softening it. If you're feeling constricted, holding onto fear or past experiences, invite more breath into your life. Let it flow through your body, opening and softening your heart.
During these transitions, embrace playfulness and maintain a beginner's mind, just as children do. It's vital to find joy in the simple pleasures life offers. Remember those carefree days of building leaf piles and jumping into them? Let's reconnect with those simple delights, for they have the power to encourage gentleness and tenderness towards ourselves and others, and cultivate compassion.
Allow yourself to grieve, reflect, flow with the seasons of change, and let go. Practice forgiveness. Forgiveness creates space for love, both for yourself and for the new beginnings waiting to unfold in your life.
In honor of Autumn Equinox, receive 50% off a deep dive Human Design reading or flower essence sessions, send me an email hello@shannonkinneyduh.com to inquire. Offer ends midnight Monday, September 25th.
Listen to this full podcast Episode 72: Navigating Life’s Transitions with Delight & Grace.
Be well and Happy Fall!
With love,
Shannon