Have you been thinking about how the changing season affects you?
Entering into a new season brings many changes, internally and externally. It gets colder and darker earlier. Both outside and inside we may be impacted by the lack of sunlight.
As a therapist who celebrates turning another year older in November, Autumn is my favorite season (and not just because of my birthday) and I think about how these changes can be motivational. I also anticipate the barriers to my motivation so I can get ahead of them and try to circumvent the inevitable feelings of procrastination.
My proactive self-care plan includes:
Checking in with my therapist and making sure I don't skip a session
Getting up earlier and going to bed earlier to be more refreshed for the next day
Eating an actual breakfast to take my vitamins and prescription medications
Drinking enough water (water is not just for the summer)
Continuing to nurture and build community in a new environment
It could be frustrating to read the above list and think I'm suggesting, Now isn’t that easy? I know it isn’t.
Part of being in relationships (either therapeutic, romantic, platonic) is that we can hold each other accountable. The ironic thing about self-care, and staying accountable to our own needs, is that it's deeply linked to connection and community.
It can feel easier to hold others accountable than holding ourselves accountable. If you are still building your community, no fear, sometimes our furry best friends are great motivators.
Take my dog Blossom for example, she will be 15 next month and she is the biggest motivator for me to get up in the morning. I swear this dog can tell time! She knows when it is time to go out and when it is time to eat. That reminds me to go outside and smell fresh air, take social media/phone breaks as needed and most importantly, to eat. Caring for her is a reminder to care for me.
Below is a picture of Blossom in her natural habitat. I hope it motivates you , wink wink, to enjoy the upcoming seasonal changes.
For me, Blossom, is a great motivator. As the seasons change I invite you to both think about creating your own proactive self-care plan and ask yourself:
What motivates you?
Elease Cook LCSW
Psychotherapist at Divergent Path Wellness
Comments