I’m a Summer person – I love the sun and the warmth and the flowers! And although I don’t like pumpkin spice (or pumpkin anything), I do like the Fall. It’s cozy, I love the changing leaves, and it’s fun to go apple- and pumpkin picking! Fall is definitely a vibe!
In recent years, I’ve also been appreciating Fall as a time to start slowing down. As it gets colder and darker, we tend to be less active. We stay inside more.
The transition into Fall is a natural reminder to slow down, turn inward, and pay attention to our energy levels. Most of us are consistently spending more energy than we take in: we’re being productive and taking care of others and working and working a side hustle and posting on the socials and getting all of our steps in and trying not to read too much of the news but also know the information and trying not to be completely devastated by the state of the world and doing our meditation and making dinner. It’s a lot of expenditures!
And when we look at what we do that gives us energy, there’s not much. Maybe a yoga class or occasional time with friends. Sometimes we get a decent night of sleep. Often we turn to what is easiest – we pick up our phone and scroll, we drink, we binge-watch shows – but those activities don’t actually restore us.
We can’t let ourselves be constantly drained, without any genuine replenishment. It’s not sustainable, and we deserve better. And we can make it better!
As we head into Fall, let’s tune in and notice what’s happening with our energy. Notice what drains your energy, and what drains it the most. Notice what you do for self-care when you’re drained, and assess whether it feels restorative. Notice what you do throughout your day that feels restorative.
Notice what you do that aligns with what is meaningful about being alive in this world. Notice what you allow yourself to receive. Notice when and how you protect your peace. Notice when you allow yourself to truly rest. All of this is what restores and replenishes your energy. If you’re not doing these things, it’s time to start.
And I suggest you start small – find the brief pockets of time in your day. Three minutes here and there is a great start! The next time you have 3 minutes, don’t pick up your phone and scroll. For those 3 minutes, do nothing productive: doodle, sit in the sun and watch birds, take a walk, let your mind wander, or hang out with your pets. Lately, I’ve been using my 3 minutes to just sit and stare and do nothing. It’s a challenge, but it actually feels really good!
The next time you have 10 minutes, do something that feels meaningful (but not draining): garden, journal, play music, donate to an important cause, or chat with your neighbor. Notice that when you put in the energy to be intentional about how you spend your time, you get energy back!
Fall is a great time for an energy assessment!