Falling Into Self Care
As the air turns crisp and the leaves begin to shimmer in shades of gold and crimson, autumn invites us to slow down, reflect, and reset. It’s a season of transition, not just in nature, but within ourselves. Between the rush of summer and the demands of the holidays, fall offers a way for us to focus on self-care. Take time today to nourish your body, calm your mind, and reconnect with what matters most: you.
Fall can be a perfect time to check in with yourself. Are there thoughts, worries, or unfinished mental loops you’ve been carrying too long? Try writing down what’s been weighing on your mind lately. Even if you don’t “solve” it, naming it helps lighten the load, because at least then you have a starting point and can acknowledge it to yourself.
It could even be obligations that no longer fit. Not every “yes” from summer has to stretch into fall. Maybe you’ve outgrown a commitment, or you’re feeling spread thin. Like trees, we’re not meant to grow in all directions all the time. You’re your own life’s biggest advocate, so be honest with yourself about just what you can handle. Maybe you need to give yourself permission to scale back and, just like the trees around us, rest.
Resting includes giving your mind a chance to detox. As the days get shorter, we naturally crave warmth, stillness, and comfort, like bears nesting in their dens. But we often keep running at full speed, especially in the crazy world of college. There could be habits that are no longer aligned with how you want to feel, like doomscrolling, skipping meals, or staying busy to avoid what’s haunting your mind. No one expects the seasons to stay the same forever, so why not you, too? If you can, try replacing these bad habits with something nourishing. Trade your phone for a book. If eating is too difficult, protein shakes are better than nothing. And instead of staying busy, maybe what you really need is a way for your mind to decompress: hiking, pumpkin carving, whatever gets you out of your head and into the world.
If getting out of bed proves too difficult, it’s alright to give yourself the same leniency you would a child. Mental health days are just as important as sick days. Give yourself a treat: DoorDash yourself some self-forgiveness with pumpkin spice on top (or just Taco Bell).
Take time out of fall to circle back to you. It’s seasonal. It’s wise. And it opens space for something softer and more intentional to take root.
