Finding Ease in the Season of Change
September always sneaks up on me. One day I’m wearing sandals and sweating in the late summer sun, and the next, I’m reaching for a sweater in the cool morning air. The change feels sudden, but it also carries a sense of comfort. The shifting seasons remind me that change doesn’t have to mean something has gone wrong. It’s simply a natural part of being alive.
For so many of us, healing can feel like it should follow a straight, predictable path. We want it to look tidy: step one, step two, step three, finished. But in reality, healing is more like the turning of the seasons. There are moments of growth, times of letting go, days that feel unfinished, and periods where things feel quiet and still. Just like the trees don’t hold onto their leaves forever, we aren’t meant to hold tightly to every old belief, rule, or habit that once served us.
I used to think I needed to control every part of my healing. I believed that if I worked hard enough, stuck to the right plan, or followed all the “rules,” I would finally arrive at a place of peace. But what I’ve learned is that peace doesn’t come from rigid control. It comes from softening. It comes from noticing what my body is asking for in this moment, and then allowing myself to respond with care.
Sometimes that means resting instead of pushing through. Other times, it looks like giving myself permission to enjoy the warmth of fresh bread, a cup of pumpkin spice coffee, or a bowl of soup without guilt. Food isn’t just fuel; it’s comfort, connection, and tradition. Autumn reminds me that it’s okay to lean into comfort, to let myself be nourished by the things that bring me joy.
I also find that the small transitions in my day. Morning to work, day to night, become opportunities to practice presence. Instead of rushing through them, I try to notice: How does my body feel right now? What would make this next part of my day feel a little more gentle? Sometimes it’s as simple as lighting a candle before bed, or pausing for a deep breath before starting a meeting. These little rituals ground me in the truth that I can trust myself to care for my body in small, steady ways.
If you’ve found yourself feeling unfinished lately, like you didn’t check all the boxes you hoped to, please know that doesn’t mean you’re failing. Healing isn’t about completion. It’s about compassion for the process. Just as no season is permanent, no feeling or setback is permanent either. You are allowed to ebb and flow.
As the days shorten and the air cools, I’m choosing to meet myself with kindness. I’m choosing to let go of the old rules and comparisons that keep me stuck. I’m choosing to believe that my worth doesn’t fall with the leaves. And if you’re reading this, maybe you can choose the same.
