Ending Summer with a Bang - 5 Ways to Welcome Change this Fall

Last week, Monday to be exact, we welcomed in the first official day of fall. But I wasn't quite ready to welcome in the seasonal change. We had one more family picnic set to have over the weekend and therefore, we ended summer with a bang...literally. 

This photo of the fireworks overhead is the final photo of summer for me. It was the last pre-scheduled gathering I had on my calendar. And as I watched the kiddos squeal with delight as their cousin sprayed them with a giant soaker, part of me became sad. I knew that this meant that fall was here, cold weather would soon arrive, and before too long, winter would be here.

I know I shared with you all that my summer was unconventional this year. I took off a lot of time to be present with family and friends, which is something I have never had time to do before. It was the very best summer. I cannot wait to do it again next year. Because the number one lesson I learned this year is that presence with family and friends is something we need. If we miss out, we risk losing the memories associated with those we love. Work can always wait for another day, but we never know how much time we have left with our loved ones.

This morning, (Monday is the day I am writing this), I couldn't think of what I wanted this week's theme to be. I had a conversation with my mom about it, actually, and we were discussing how fall brings change. Change can go one of two ways. Either you are okay with it and welcome its newness, or you dread it because it's scary. 

I decided to help us all ease into the change from summer to fall, I'd share with you five ways we can all welcome in fall this year.

1. Reflect and Release - The first thing we should always do when change is presented. Reflect on the things that are coming to an end and then release them. This opens up space for new memories and experiences to enter in this new season. If you carry them with you, they may make it more difficult for you to enjoy what is happening now.
2. Refresh Your Routines - The second thing we should consider is our daily routines. Each season brings with it different challenges. For example, we will soon have Daylight Savings where we fall back an hour, which means it will be darker longer. This makes it harder to get up earlier in the morning, it's disorienting in the evenings when it gets darker sooner, and it throws off our natural rhythm. Make changes to your routine to help you through these shifts.
3. Do a Mini Declutter - Each season, I change my home decor to match the season. During this change, I also try to do a mini declutter to remove from my home anything we are no longer using or need. This helps keep things moving out instead of piling up. My favorite thing to do this time of year is move my clothes around. Winter coats come up from the basement, boots come out and sandals get put away. Having what I'll need readily available to me when I need it will help the transition from warm to cool weather.
4. Try Something Outside Your Comfort Zone - I bet you didn't think I'd go here, did you? In the summer, we are more adventurous and do more things outdoors. As fall comes, we slow down a bit. Pick one new thing to do this fall that is outside of your comfort zone...and do it! I'm not saying go to a haunted house if you are terrified, because even I won't do that. lol What I'm saying is maybe instead of getting apples at the store, go apple picking at a local farm.
5. Connect with Nature - Hear me out on this. Time change = less daylight. It just happens. Get outside NOW. Soak up as much sun during the day as you possibly can. Even if it's 20 minutes for a short break, just do it. Take a walk, sit outside on a step, or even go to a park. Winter will be here before we know it, so drink up the sunshine before it gets harder to do.

Fall is actually my favorite season. I have been looking forward to welcoming it for weeks now. I already have the smell of pumpkin in my warmers going throughout my house and it feels nice and cozy inside. Admittedly, I put my fall decorations out a touch earlier this year than I normally do. It may be my new favorite thing to do. I even picked up some new fall decor that I didn't know I needed but are perfect—mushrooms! 

Fall for me means it's time to start my new project, work hard at writing the next book to be published, or in my case, the next two books that are coming. I get excited about this shift in focus and spending time lost in the world I'm building.

If you struggle with the change to fall, be kind to yourself, it will be okay. 

With Grace, Shonda Ramsey