Autumn Thoughts

The shift into autumn always catches me a little off guard. One minute it’s warm evenings and light at 9 p.m., and the next, I’m reaching for a jumper and noticing how quickly the sun slips away. The clocks have gone back, and the mornings are darker, the evenings shorter a reminder that another season is turning, whether we’re ready or not.

There’s something comforting about it, though. The familiar smell of damp leaves, the excuse for hot tea, and the sound of Greybear,  my ever-mischievous cat  curling up on the sofa after a night of mischief (or perhaps plotting his next jigsaw puzzle interruption). These small moments bring a sense of grounding when everything outside feels like it’s shifting.

But if I’m honest, this time of year also challenges me. The darker mornings make it harder to drag myself out of bed for those 6:30 a.m. high-energy gym classes. Yet, they matter to me, not just for physical health, but for mental clarity. Showing up, even when it’s dark and I’d rather hide under the duvet, is a way of saying I’m still here, still showing up for myself. It’s a reminder that energy and motivation often follow action, not the other way around.

In counselling, I often talk with people about transitions; the spaces between what was and what’s coming next. Autumn is one of those in-between times. Nature lets go, and we’re invited to do the same. To slow down a little, reflect, and make peace with change instead of resisting it.

Maybe you’ve felt it too that tug between wanting to hibernate and wanting to keep your routine alive. The truth is, both can coexist. We can honour our need for rest and still push ourselves to show up where it matters. We can make space for quiet evenings with a jigsaw (with or without feline “help”) while still getting up early to move, breathe, and connect.

So as the clocks change and the world tilts toward winter, notice what you need. Maybe it’s gentleness, maybe it’s structure, maybe it’s a mix of both. Let the season guide you not into retreat, but into balance.

And if all else fails, take a note from Greybear: find the warmest spot in the house, stretch, and rest until you’re ready to pounce again.