Changing Seasons
The words Autumn, Fall, Equinox all conjure up images in our minds of falling leaves, spiced lattes and warm, chunky scarves to make cold, crisp walks more bearable; but the importance of a new season is how we embrace the change it brings. Leaves fall from the trees and their lives come to an end on the roads and pavements, symbolising the Summer of 2020,and how it didn’t live up to its promises.
We had been teased this summer; it was hinted that we would soon see then end to lockdown. The end to rules, restrictions and some optimism for the coming months. Events were booked, gig listings began to steadily return and Christmas appeared on the horizon as a beacon, lighting the way to family connections, merriment and seasonal cheer; a return to normality. But as local, northern lockdowns returned, the optimism faded and as September progressed our Facebook notifications brought news of event cancellations, gigs being postponed ’til 2021 and nothing much else filled up the void.
So as the earth becomes carpeted with dying flora, which decayed and buried itself into the ground, how do we find joy? I feel the answer is to embrace the change and to leave behind expectations. It’s hard not to be overwhelmed with pessimism as we’re bombarded by negative news stories, each minute of every day. But if we roll with the change in seasons and use it as an excuse to set new intentions, it may help us to let go of the fear which we’re enveloped by.
What does this change look like?
Get Joseph Sheridan-Ruddy’s stories in your inbox
Join Medium for free to get updates from this writer.
Perhaps you wish to start journaling and to make a written record of your difficult thoughts or feelings? I would always advise to couple these with your positive thoughts as well, and even try to write down what your a grateful for. Dark evenings are a great time for this, as the temptation of the sun has gone!
Perhaps an intention for a better relationship with our smart-phones? Start small, perhaps by deleting news apps and only checking in with this twice a day? Maybe an intention to use social media less and only going on to connect with other who we may be missing, rather than scrolling and losing ourselves to jealousy. This one is perhaps harder in the dark evenings, but perhaps try to challenge it with a new hobby such as reading, cooking or press-ups!
Whatever you choose to embrace, make it realistic and don’t give yourself a hard time if you struggle to stick with it. Change is tough, and the failure to reach an unrealistic target will not only hurt in the short term, but may also harm your ability for growth in the future.
For many of us, to simply survive this pandemic will be an achievement so there should be no pressure of anything dramatic. Many people are working at home, whilst simultaneously looking after children; with family help now more difficult and no where to go to break up the day. But even doing something differently for one minute in a day might help. It’s often easier to tack a change on to an existing habit- so maybe try to meditate whilst the kettle is boiling? Literally one minute a day of mindful, deep breathing can work wonders over weeks and months.
The pandemic has given us no choice but to hand our autonomy over, so we must fight for the small changes. Ask yourself,
“What do I have the power to change today?”
